| Most small business owners are doers and go-getters, | | | | Here are a few suggestions to get started with a |
| but spend less time planning than they should. This is | | | | simple marketing plan: |
| why most small business owners don't have | | | | Things to consider: |
| systematic schedules for marketing their products, | | | | How do I want my business to enhance the lives |
| services and brand image. These systematic | | | | of my customers and my community? |
| schedules are called marketing plans. Yes it does | | | | What do I want my business to stand for, in the |
| sound very corporate, and you may think your | | | | eyes of my customers? |
| business is too small to have a marketing plan, but | | | | My reputation and stature defines my brand... What |
| every business needs one. Why? Because it forces | | | | will help enhance my brand? |
| you to set goals with benchmarks, timetables, and | | | | What do I increase my annual sales revenue to? |
| methods to attaining them. Imagine a building being built | | | | What will be my net profits? |
| without a detailed architectural plan-a | | | | How many units will I sell? |
| just-build-as-you-go formula. Well unfortunately most | | | | How many new clients will I acquire? |
| small businesses do that. They have a financial goal, | | | | What will be the means by which I attract new |
| but no architected plan to get to that goal. | | | | clients? |
| A Magnet For Your Business: | | | | How do I attract past clients to come back? |
| Written goals that are reviewed regularly serve as | | | | How do I increase the average sale amount? |
| magnets for attracting things in their direction. They | | | | How much do I spend per client to market my |
| draw you in the directions that you outline in your plans. | | | | business? |
| And the more specific your marketing plans are, the | | | | What should my messages be to my clients to |
| more likely you will achieve your desired goals. So if | | | | attract them? |
| business is slow or moderate take the time to create | | | | Yes this is a lot of thinking, and yes you hardly have |
| a marketing plan for your business. By doing this, you | | | | the time to run the business much less spend time on |
| could turn your business around within weeks or | | | | this. But once you get this completed, whether it is by |
| months. Determine what your three year goals are for | | | | yourself or with the help of someone professional, you |
| your business (even though you are making a one | | | | will feel a sense of confidence and see the results for |
| year marketing plan), then work backwards to | | | | your efforts pay off. Just remember, make monthly |
| determine what your one year goal is. A simple | | | | benchmarks and you will begin to see things fall into |
| marketing plan is better than no plan, so get started. | | | | place little-by-little. |