The 4 No-No's of Marketing Plans by:Jody Gabourie
We all know that we should have a marketing plan - that having goals and a path to
achieve them is critical to our business success.and our mental health!
Most of us will take that next step and create a marketing roadmapbut too many of us fail to put it into action.
Action = results. That's the only way I know (and you know it too!) how to make something a success, is by actually taking some action. Of course, some days I dream about achieving great success without having to actually do anything except loll around the beach and sip umbrella drinks - but that's not the reality.
Okay, so why do too many business owners and entrepreneurs not follow their marketing plan?
I've listed several reasons why - or as I call them, the no-no's of marketing plans. Take a look and see if any ring true with you.
1) the plan is not detailed enough
Many people list only the main marketing tactics they want to do - for example, conduct monthly seminars or give bi-weekly teleseminars. However, these big goals can seem too big to even start doing!
The key to action is breaking down large tasks into manageable bite-sized chunks. This way it's much easier to figure out how long each smaller step will take and you can schedule time to do a few chunks each week.
2) the plan doesn't have steps
This is similar to the no-no above, but it's actually a bit more detailed. A good marketing plan needs to outline what steps need to be taken - and in what order - to get a specific marketing tactic up and running as easily and quickly as possible.
If you can't figure out what steps to take, then you're never going to take them, are you?
3) the plan doesn't match your strengths and interests
Since we have to do marketing every day that we do business, it makes sense that it should be something we enjoy. The same with your marketing plan - if you've added tactics that you just don't like to do (I'm not talking about just being nervous) then realistically, what are the chances that you'll put that plan into action? Probably nil.
We all have core marketing strengths and likes and dislikes. There are enough different marketing strategies out there to utilize that you can easily have a plan that you'll enjoy doingand therefore do faster and easier.
4) the plan has too many goals
It's great to be ambitious with your goals, but putting too many on your marketing plan will stop you cold. It seems to be human nature that once we get overwhelmed with something; we end up procrastinating and avoiding like crazy.
Make sure that the number of marketing tactics you wish to achieve matches your available resources: your time, energy, money, assistance and so on. Choose 3 or 4 marketing tactics that work off of each other and do them consistently. Once you have those running smoothly (and providing results) then start adding other tactics - one at a time.
When you sit down to do your next marketing plan, keep these 4 no-no's in mind. The idea is to have a plan that you actually DO - so make it as easy as possible for you to put your marketing map into action to start reaping the many rewards.
About the author
Jody Gabourie, The Small Business Marketing Coach, teaches small business owners and entrepreneurs how to take action with their marketing in order to get more results and more profits. To learn all about her unique "done-for-you" ebooks called Ready Made Marketing Plans and to sign up for her FREE special report, ezine and articles, visit her site at
http://www.JodyGabourieMarketingCoach.com
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