Why You Need A Marketing Plan
- By Todd Whitehurst
- Published 08/9/2007
Todd Whitehurst
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A marketing plan, like a business plan, is unique to the company it serves and to its employees and customers.
There are a few down and dirty rules that guide its design and execution.
Remember these three rules:
1. The plan must be aligned with the market
2. The plan must be measurable
3. The plan must be easily communicated
Losing site of these rules can create a static plan that isn't worth the paper it is written on, while a solid marketing plan has both strategic and tactical components.
Like the strategic business plan it must be designed with the input of people from different areas of the company including operations, sales, management, accounting and most importantly customers (both current and past.)
Elements of a Marketing Plan
-Communications - products and services
-Target Markets
-Research
-Pricing
-Distribution (method and geographic area)
-Advertising
-Promotions
-Public Relations
-Sales Management
-Events Planning
-Competitive Analysis
-Networking
-Product/Service Development
-Web
-Budget
-Design
-Alliance Channels
Developing Your Marketing Plan
Take a balanced score card approach to your marketing plan development by writing down the objective, person responsible, time line, cost, and measurement metrics for each area of your marketing plan. Without this important step accountability is difficult to track
Creating a Marketing plan will take a little work, but the overall process is easy to create, enhance and manage. Remember that marketing is the overall process of determining what potential business exists within your geographic area, may exist and if you should spend effort and money to pursue that business. If you do decide to pursue the business then a good marketing plan will help you determine the steps required to take advantage of new opportunities.
Marketing Materials
Once you have created your marketing plan take the time to explore the support materials you will need to properly execute the plan. These materials may include cards, flyers, websites, presentations, and other types of communication materials.
CDMWorld can help you implement your marketing plan with the development of materials that tightly coinside with your marketing plan objectives. Contact us at www.cdmworld.com for more information.
Remember, a wise person once said:
"Plan your work... and work your plan"
Check Out My New Article on Social Networking and Your Marketing Plan
There are a few down and dirty rules that guide its design and execution.
Remember these three rules:
1. The plan must be aligned with the market
2. The plan must be measurable
3. The plan must be easily communicated
Losing site of these rules can create a static plan that isn't worth the paper it is written on, while a solid marketing plan has both strategic and tactical components.
Like the strategic business plan it must be designed with the input of people from different areas of the company including operations, sales, management, accounting and most importantly customers (both current and past.)
Elements of a Marketing Plan
-Communications - products and services
-Target Markets
-Research
-Pricing
-Distribution (method and geographic area)
-Advertising
-Promotions
-Public Relations
-Sales Management
-Events Planning
-Competitive Analysis
-Networking
-Product/Service Development
-Web
-Budget
-Design
-Alliance Channels
Developing Your Marketing Plan
Take a balanced score card approach to your marketing plan development by writing down the objective, person responsible, time line, cost, and measurement metrics for each area of your marketing plan. Without this important step accountability is difficult to track
Creating a Marketing plan will take a little work, but the overall process is easy to create, enhance and manage. Remember that marketing is the overall process of determining what potential business exists within your geographic area, may exist and if you should spend effort and money to pursue that business. If you do decide to pursue the business then a good marketing plan will help you determine the steps required to take advantage of new opportunities.
Marketing Materials
Once you have created your marketing plan take the time to explore the support materials you will need to properly execute the plan. These materials may include cards, flyers, websites, presentations, and other types of communication materials.
CDMWorld can help you implement your marketing plan with the development of materials that tightly coinside with your marketing plan objectives. Contact us at www.cdmworld.com for more information.
Remember, a wise person once said:
"Plan your work... and work your plan"
Check Out My New Article on Social Networking and Your Marketing Plan
