subject: Creating Small Business Marketing Plans [print this page] If you have a business, whether online or offline, you need a marketing strategy that will help you get your message across to a bigger audience. Even if you are not a big company, even small business marketing is essential. You may not know it but how you run your business has a major impact on your marketing. Almost everything you do will help build or break your reputation.
When you want to be successful in your business you have to know what kind of customer you want to pull in. What's the age, sex, and income of your ideal client? These demographics will help you create your marketing message.
If your customer base fits more than one particular demographic, you'll have to compartmentalize your strategy. Describe each target group and think about their motivations individually. Consider critical questions regarding purchasing habits of each group you target.
When you are trying to find out the important habits of your clients, you have to conduct market research. This research, ideally, will help you learn all that you need to know about your potential client base. You'll also have to do your research on your competition and industry trends.
Once you have gathered enough information, it is time to create an action plan. Planning a marketing strategy is crucial. This strategy will use the information gathered to pinpoint your message to your target audience. When creating your message, think about the benefits a customer will receive by using your service or buying your product.
Why should a customer choose your product over you competitors? Tailor the response to this question into your marketing message. Since small business marketing budgets are often limited, get creative. Understand that marketing is not always about the money you spend. Sometimes simply excellent customer service can be one of your best marketing techniques for repeat business and word of mouth referrals.
