Marketing 101c for Startups

from About.com 7/13 enhanced by Peter/CXO Wiz4biz 12/13

Marketing Plan serves as a road-map when it comes to your marketing initiatives. It details the success route that you will need to follow, to get your small business noticed by potential customers. A detailed Marketing Plan will show you what to do and help you understand why you are doing it. It will also help you navigate away from the marketing & business mistakes that will cost you money, time & future growth potential. As a newor small business owner equipped with a Marketing Plan, you will feel more organized, have more confidence and a clear vision when it comes to your marketing goals. Put in simple terms a Marketing Plan increases your chance to achieve the business success that you desire.

Budgeting for Marketing. Determining how much of your resources to use for Marketing within your company can be one the biggest challenges that businesses face. It can also be a key component that can make or break a business. There are guidelines that will help in allocating your resources, learn what is recommended by doing a Google Search – when it comes to marketing budgets. If you’ve never created a Marketing Plan, I also suggest that you try doing a 90-day plan. It is less intimidating and helps you to focus on the short-term needs & immediate needs of the company.

The Challenge. Marketing a small business can prove challenging at times; especially in rough economic times. However, many companies are finding success by utilizing new techniques to market their small business. These strategies may include Social Media marketing, Online marketing, Traditional marketing & even Direct Mail – as appropriate.

Your Future. How will your business do in the next decade? I think that all depends on how you market and the relationships that you create & cultivate. It’s time to pull those marketing dollars back that aren’t working for you and begin to invest them in ways that will give you more of a return. If you are ready, what are you waiting for? “Out with the old and in with the new”. It often happens that business owners do not persevere with their Marketing Plan. Review it at least quarterly to learn what works and doesn’t. Then modifiy your Marketing Plan accordingly. Hang in there and “Survive until you Thrive !!!

Comments: Is there any Tips you can add?