We all know it’s important to have a plan for marketing. Just as you would never go exploring without a map, you should never go into business without a marketing plan. This strategic document not only helps you create services and products to meet your customer’s needs, it is also integral to the success of your business.
So what should you include in your marketing plan?
Objectives to Achieve
Before you start, you should have clear marketing objectives so you can set out to achieve them. Your marketing plan should get you from where you are to where your goals and objectives are. Set specific, timely, and financially achievable objectives for your plan to accomplish. For example; increase % in sales, brand building / awareness of certain location, increase your customer base by %.
Current Market Research
Research the current market of your business, list the opportunities and challenges that your business has been facing. Who are your competitors and what are they doing? Look at what other businesses in your market is doing well. This will also help you identify possible opportunities and how you can meet your customers’ needs.
Marketing Strategy and Direction
What is the overall direction of your marketing? Your marketing strategy should reflect how you’re going to market your products and services in ways that meet the needs of your target customers. This should include your product uniqueness, branding, pricing, position in the market, promotion, and presentation.
Budget and Action Plan
Now you need to have a detailed plan of action to implement the above strategy and steer you in the right direction. This includes timelines, specific actions and campaigns, and the marketing tools to be used (such as social media, print, or direct marketing). To complement such campaigns and tasks, you’ll need to set a budget that is realistic and attainable.
Marketing plans play a key role to the success of every business. However, we understand that preparing a marketing plan can be rather daunting and overwhelming. Here at Concept Designs and Marketing we can help you develop this essential document, and our team can help you implement each step of it as well. As part of this service, we also provide you with a 12-month banner print-out of your plan, so you can remind yourself of your targets and activities any time. Contact us for more information today.
