| "body"> | | | | * Listen to your Customers |
| Business that are successful usually have a marketing | | | | The best way to find out what is in your customer's |
| plan and most would tell you that while executing the | | | | head is to simply ask them. Whether you new |
| plan has its challenges, developing the plan and deciding | | | | business or an established one, understanding your |
| what to do and how to do it was the longest part of | | | | target market is an important element to your |
| the process. Your marketing plan should be clear, | | | | marketing plan. It is important to get your customer's |
| concise, and a well though out document that guides | | | | perspective to your product, its price, quality and |
| you through your marketing activities starting with your | | | | anything else that influences their purchasing decision. |
| overall objective and how you intend to accomplish | | | | Try handing out samples, conducting surveys or test |
| that objective. | | | | marketing your product. |
| Whether your company provides products or services, | | | | The information that you get back will be invaluable |
| is off line or on line, your marketing plan is essential to | | | | and well worth the investment of offering a few free |
| your success but must focus on five critical | | | | samples. The feedback that you will get from your |
| components to be a success. | | | | customers or potential customers will help you |
| * Position Your Product | | | | evaluate the integrity of your product, its ability to |
| The marketing system, positioning is the most critical | | | | support your brand promise, the pricing model and its |
| element to consider when putting together your | | | | quality. |
| marketing plan. It involves creating the image and | | | | Even if you are new, test your product in your target |
| identity in the minds of your customers each time they | | | | market by conducting what is called market test to |
| experience your product and building the infrastructure | | | | see how your product will be received. This is a great |
| around it to support it. | | | | way to introduce you, get valuable feedback and |
| In product positioning, there are two basic focuses: | | | | testimonials for your product launch. |
| Offering what the customer wants with the most | | | | * Create a Simple Plan |
| profitable market opportunity and taken actions to | | | | Now that you have given some thought to what you |
| differentiate product from that of their competition in | | | | want your product to represent, identify your target |
| such a way that customers will develop a preference | | | | market and tested your product to see what works |
| for your product over the competition. When you put | | | | and what doesn't, it is now to sit down and draft your |
| the right product at the right price and in front of the | | | | marketing plan. So many business owners get stuck at |
| right customer, you have mastered positioning. | | | | this point either thinking they don't need a plan or are |
| The goal of any marketing plan is to create a strategy | | | | intimidated about creating one. |
| that will boost your profits including a persuasive | | | | Every business, both small and large, will benefit greatly |
| message targeted towards your customer and a | | | | from a well thought out planning process and a key |
| promise that your product actually delivers - this | | | | component to every success business is a good |
| statement will become your brand promise. | | | | marketing plan that answers the basic questions: who, |
| For example: Fed Ex, "When it simply has to get there | | | | what, why, where, when an how much. Creating a |
| overnight" Domino's Pizza "Pizza in 30 minutes or less" | | | | marketing plan is critical component to on-going |
| * Tap into your Mastermind Group | | | | success and is not something that should be ignored. |
| Information is one of the most powerful assets a | | | | This plan does not have to be comprehensive. |
| person can posses and having the ability to leverage | | | | It can be a simple plan that addresses the following: |
| other people's information is exponentially better. To | | | | Your overall market Your specific niche Your target |
| help define your marketing plan, tap into your brain trust | | | | audience within your niche Your brand promise Your |
| for ideas, market and competitive perspectives. | | | | competition Your benefits and competitive differences |
| In a mastermind group, each group member will come | | | | Your pricing model Your marketing budget Your |
| with different experiences, perspectives and ideas that | | | | marketing activities Your marketing calendar of events |
| will most likely be your next big money making idea. | | | | Your success measures Track Results |
| Having the ability to brainstorm and be creative with a | | | | A successful marketing plan is tracked and measured. |
| group of people all focused on helping you solve a | | | | In order to measure your performance and determine |
| problem is one of the biggest benefits you will | | | | if your plan is successful, you must identify how you |
| experience from a mastermind group. | | | | will be measuring the success of your plan. |
| The powerful result of a mastermind group is that | | | | Some examples: Return on investment (how much did |
| there is a synergy of energy, excitement and idea | | | | I spend vs. how much I got back; Returned coupons, |
| sharing that participants bring to the group therefore | | | | web hits, open clicks, Increased calls? How will you |
| raising the bar by challenging and encouraging other | | | | define a successful marketing activity? What is the |
| members to create and implement their goals. | | | | result you are looking for? |