Creating a Simple Marketing Plan
Many of you broke into a sweat after reading the title, didn’t you? Many people don’t have a marketing plan because they think it’s too hard, too time consuming, or they just don’t know where to start.
Creating a good marketing plan doesn’t have to be overwhelming, or costly, but it will save you time and help you achieve your 2009 goals.
Get started by identifying:
· Who is your ideal client?
· What do I have to spend?
· Where can I reach my ideal client?
Establish your ideal client, by looking at your current client base, and who can afford to buy your product or service? Then identify the best ways to reach them.
Your marketing budget should be 1-5% of your yearly sales, or whatever you can afford. Start simple, and make changes monthly or quarterly as you begin to see results. Be realistic and flexible. Having a budget will allow you to visualize and expand upon your program throughout the year.
The plan itself will have a number of options to consider. Here is a list of some marketing aspects to consider in your plan.
- Print advertising (including Yellow Pages)
- Direct Mail
- Email (include eZines and Blogs)
- Networking (Chamber participation/membership)
- Sponsorship
- Trade Shows
- Article Writing
- Speaking
- Referrals
While some of these items will have little to no cost, including them in your marketing plan will help you stay on track and implement each segment of the plan.
When putting together the actual marketing piece the most important thing to remember is to have a ‘call to action’. It could be a coupon in a direct mail piece, or a ‘free’ offer at the end of a speaking engagement. Just make sure you have different calls to action in each piece so that tracking success will be a breeze.
Check in quarterly to see how each segment is performing and make adjustments as needed throughout the year to make sure you are getting the biggest bang for your marketing buck!
Jeannine Clontz, president of Accurate Business Services, is a speaker, author and VA coach, who helps clients stay ‘top of mind’ with their clients and prospects through marketing plan implementation.
I was part of a group of women business owners, and members of the St. Louis Chapter of NAWBO (National Association of Women Business Owners) who were invited to participate in a video about the organization which aired on St. Louis television this past Sunday. Sponsored by www.allaboutbusinesstv.com who did a fabulous job. Check it out!
The National Association of Women Business Owners (NAWBO), of Metropolitan St. Louis, recently announced their annual Public Policy trip to Jefferson City which includes their members, and participants from 15 statewide organizations including the St. Louis Minority Business Council, Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, Women Impacting Public Policy – Missouri, MidAmerica Minority Business Development Council, and the St. Louis Black Leadership Roundtable, just to mention a few.
This is going to be a great NAWBO St. Louis meeting – and you get a FREE book with your registration – hope to see you there! 
