There are very few people who can get up one day, say ” hey, I think I will start a company” without a plan or objective and turn it into a tremendous success. (Great examples of this are the folks who pitched “Shark Tank” in the early episodes hoping the “Sharks” would run the “business/hobby” for them.)
So why do many organizations decide to just “wing it” with marketing, social media, and communications programs?
Marketing plays an crucial role in attracting customers, generating sales leads and impacting the bottom line- key factors in determining a business’s success. And, done properly, it provides insight as to what your customers are saying about your brand, their needs and their buying decisions. However, marketing,and communications in general are often overlooked or neglected due to time, resources, and knowledge or until there is an issue.
A simple strategy with proactive planning is easy to implement. It needs to be in writing ( not on sticky notes attached to the side of a computer – you would be amazed) and distributed to team members so everyone is on the same page!
Here are some things to keep in mind:
- What are your objectives?
- Who is your customer/market segment?
- What are your resources? ( staffing, knowledge, budget)?
- What are the messages you wish to convey?
- What methods are going to be used? (email marketing, social media, promotions, etc)
- How are results going to be tracked?
A strategic marketing plan is a key ingredient to your business’s overall success. Give it some thought and it will pay off!
