The Basics of a Solid Marketing Plan

by Michael H. Fleischner on January 22, 2010

In order to succeed with a basic marketing plan you need to focus on some core elements of a plan that targets the right audience and produces a specific result including lead generation or sales. For your marketing to produce results you should consider using multiple media formats.

There is so much competition today that the messages you use need to be one-of-a-kind. The effectiveness of any campaign is directly correlated to the quality of your list and the effectiveness of your offer. Before you even begin planning for your marketing campaign, think about your product and what motivates people to buy.

After years of trial and error, I have found that marketing results are relatively consistent when you apply the same techniques. These techniques apply to any industry and any type of campaign you may be running. Consider building your marketing campaign based on the following strategies:

Set specific marketing goals. Before you start, think about what you want your marketing campaign to accomplish. Most marketers focus on conversion but you need to define what that means for you and your campaign. Some marketers are looking for a sale while others are looking for a download. Before you get started, consider what action you want your respondents or visitors to take and how you are going to measure the result.

Focus on segmentation. Do not attempt to market to all segments. Choose a specific segment and focus your energies there. If you do, your campaign will be more successful. You can increase your chances of success tremendously when you focus on a specific market or niche. Review your current customer and find others like them if you wish to create a positive ROI.

Select a few key messages points. What are the messages that resonate with your audience segment? There may be some key message points you have when describing your product or service. If so, use them to create a baseline and try to improve in later campaigns. You need to talk to your prospects in the language that resonates with them if you are going to grab their attention and gain their trust.

Determine which offers you are going to test. The only way to ensure a successful marketing campaign is by testing various offers. The offer is a key component for driving results and can always be improved. Your best bet is to test multiple offers by splitting your list, your web visitors, or viewable audience. Once you find and offer that works, try to beat its results during the next campaign.

Leverage an integrated marketing approach. Use more than one type of media if you wish to enhance your results. Do not settle for a single email, post card, or advertisement. Rather, discover the media that your segment uses to get their information and buy their products or services. This can help you determine the best way to reach them. Once you develop a campaign, utilize as many of these media types to convey your message and offer.

Using these marketing techniques are important for producing a positive ROI. In addition, be aware of your campaign timing. Even if all of the above criteria are met, your campaign could still fall short if you havent exposed your audience to the right message at the right time.

Consider each of these steps before creating your next marketing campaign in print or online. Your marketing is only going to be successful when you set specific goals, segment your market appropriately, use effective messaging, and create a compelling offer. Experiment with different media to get your message across and deliver a winning marketing campaign.

Michael Fleischner is an Internet marketing expert, author, and blogger who helps small and medium sized businesses enhance their marketing effectiveness. Discover powerful marketing tips at The Marketing Blog.

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