Perhaps the most powerful part of last week’s Growth Workshop was when every attendee stood, one-by-one, and announced to the group what 15-minute marketing actions they will execute immediately. I asked them to be specific: when will they implement this behavior? How many times per week will they repeat it? What potential obstacles might stand in their way? How will they defend the time? All of this was thought through and discussed.

Next, I asked each of them to email me and summarize their progress. Nearly everyone did something they were not doing the day before the workshop!  They are due to update me again at the end of this week.

Here’s the key: accountability is a critical, oft-missing piece in your marketing approach. Too many plans go unexecuted. Too many activities get buried in the pile on your desk, or in your head. Find a colleague, friend or family member to hold you accountable. Tell them what you will do, and when, and for how long, and then schedule a debrief. This person can be your spouse or your coach, it doesn’t matter. Because a shared plan has a much higher chance of being implemented.

This piece ran in my Evangelist Marketing Minute short-form newsletter, which you can receive every Monday morning for free by signing up here.