Busy Entrepreneur’s Marketing Plan

Business owners often get busy and have no time to think about marketing, therefore many small businesses don’t have up-to-date marketing plans. We have decided not to take on new website projects unless business owners agree to discuss at least a very basic marketing plan outline with us. We even fill in most of the blanks to make it easy for them to share information or disagree – cross out items that we have listed. This process helps us determine their priorities and find out what they think of social media.

Here’ s what it looks like:

Our Communications and Marketing efforts in 2010 are focused on the following areas:

1. Improving our main communication tools (website, email newsletter).
2. Retaining current customers.
3. Educating current prospects.
4. Reaching out to new ideal prospects.
5. __________________________

Considering our mission and current situation, our ideal customers are:
__________________________________________________________________________
Strategy and messages

Strategic marketing approach: ______________________________________________
Core difference: __________________________________________________________
Main messages: ___________________________________________________________
2010 marketing budget: ____________________________________________________

Tactics based on focused Communications and Marketing Efforts

Improving communication tools

Switch to a content management system. Add a blog.

Retaining current customers

Implement webinars. Consistently improve overall website usability and content. Create timely and well-prepared responses to inquiries. Share new developments on forums and lists. Conduct customer surveys. Reward loyal customers. Improve our e-newsletter.

Educating prospects

Implement podcasts. Write and submit articles to different sources. Educate staff on new developments so that they have the most up to date information to share when they respond to inquiries. Participate in online communities. Monitor related discussions on and off-line. Create and facilitate conversations on forums and blogs. YouTube Channel. Post frequent news entries and updates. Create up-to-date, easy to read training materials.

Reaching out to ideal prospects
Create a Facebook page and a Twitter feed. Present and participate in conferences. Provide timely and informed responses to inquiries. Implement podcasts. Direct mail campaigns. Create You Tube videos.