A MARKETING PLAN is a cohesive plan on how to reach your customers. It includes your brand, messaging, offerings, and ongoing strategy on how to keep old customers and how to bring in new customers. There are numerous aspects to the creation of a Marketing Plan, below is a list of tasks and aspects of marketing that you should address in your Marketing Plan.

• Brand – Your brand is a distinct identity to the marketplace. It includes colors, tagline, logo, message, vision, etc.
• Niche – Your niche is how the company fits into the marketplace. In one short paragraph, define your niche, your unique place of the market.
• Distribution Channels – How do you sell your products or services:
  • Retail
  • Direct (mail order, web, catalog)
  • Wholesale
  • Your own sales force or agents
  • Independent representatives
  • Bids/quotes on contracts
• Strategy – Outline a marketing strategy that is consistent with your brand and niche.
• Promotions – This is how you will get the word out to customers and prospects (potential customers).
• Advertising – Radio, television, social media, magazines, flyers, coupons, etc.
• Other means of Advertising – Trade shows, catalogs, dealer incentives, word of mouth, and network of friends or professionals
• Find a system or other means to identify repeat customers and then systematically contact them
• Marketing Campaign
• Opening or Business Introduction Campaign
• Ongoing Marketing Campaign strategies
• Marketing Budget – build your launch budget for year one and a monthly budget for ongoing marketing expenses.