I get it – you don’t have time to create a marketing strategy.
You’re busy. There’s a deadline. Someone called out sick. What will it even do for your business anyway?
Creating a marketing plan from scratch can seem daunting, even scary. There are so many options and tools and resources and companies… where do you start?
I have an idea: we can do this together and it will super fast and painless! Just answer the following questions and you will be well on your way. Many of the answers have likely been answered already in your business plan or company meetings, so all you need to do is think about them. Mega bonus points if you write them down!! 😉
Who is your target audience and how will you reach them?
If your business is up and running, you’ve already considered your target audience. These are the people you want to make sure know about your products or services – think gender, age, industry, position in the company, and budget.
Once you have an outline of your ideal customer, it will be easier to determine how to reach them. This is where marketing development is important. There are so many verticals to consider: social media, content marketing, advertising, word of mouth, and more. Take into account your budget and available time and resources. General rule of thumb: if you don’t have the time and money to make a marketing campaign consistent, don’t start until you can.
Who are your competitors and what are they doing to reach your target audience?
Have you heard the saying “A little competition never hurt anyone?” This may be true, but if you aren’t at least learning from your competition, then it’s hurting your business. In fact, observing your competition is the cheapest way to learn what influences your target audience.
After observing the information provided by studying your competitors, you can tailor your approach to be unique and memorable. For example, if your competitors are still only sending postcard mailers, you might quickly gain market share through digital and social marketing. If a competitor sees huge ROI with a billboard campaign, find a bigger, better placed billboard and design a memorable ad.
What resources can make your life easier… for free?
Spoiler alert: Marketing CAN be expensive. Did you notice the emphasis on the word “can?” Just because marketing can be expensive doesn’t mean it has to be. There are easy to use and FREE resources available that can boost your reach.
Hootsuite is great for scheduling multiple social media status days and weeks in advance. Basecamp (Classic) is great for keeping your projects organized. And Eventbrite is great for helping you create, promote, and manage any events you host for your clients, sales team, or referral network.
Want more help? Check out my FREE guide: Top 10 Digital Marketing Tools for Small Business Owners
See, answering those questions was painless. Now, use your answers to help prepare a basic marketing plan for your business. Even though this is just a rough draft, it will get the ball rolling for what can make your business more successful.
Have a question? Need a second opinion? Give me a call! 615.348.7768