Marketing has gotten pretty complicated. Between digital sales funnels, social media, ongoing print & radio, not to mention all the moving parts of creating and selling what you sell... there are a lot of moving parts.
Also, you are hit with offers, pitches, special sales offers and more everyday. So the question is - are you playing their game, or are you playing yours? The best way to answer this question is to have a well thought-out plan of your own and then follow it. Only buy ads (digital or print) when you know they work and reach the right people.
To do this, you need a Marketing Plan.
A plan that combines a traditional plan with a digital marketing funnel. One that includes traditional advertising and social media. One that is measurable. Imagine being able to track ROI on all of your advertising? You should - it;s doable.
So the next time you are tempted to do any marketing simply because "it's how you've always done it," consider a Marketing Plan. It just makes sense.
marketing plan sections
1.Target Market - who, where and why your smallest viable audience spends time and money 2.Messaging - create a catalogue of the language you use to promote your business and sales 3.Media - an accurate and cost-effective way to select what media to use, both digital and traditional 4. Lead Capture - develop, capture and manage sales leads from a wide range of sources 5.Lead Nurture - a method to keep those warm leads warm 6.Closing - digital or traditional, you need a process to close 7. Delivery - once the sale is closed, you need a system to consistently deliver on your marketing promise 8. Increase Customer Value - a plan to upsell, upgrade, subscribe and upgrade 9. Referrals - a system to get those referrals the right way at the right time
Also, a successful marketing plan includes a Marketing Budget, a Marketing Calendar, an Operation Plan (to make sure things actually get done) and more.