Effective and Easy Marketing Plan Template

A marketing plan can be a very simple document with key elements to keep your growth strategy in perspective. It is a very important tool for your organization, serving as a reference for all individuals working with the service or product. Keep in mind that the content should be very dynamic. Updating the document when significant changes are made is key, incorporating important learning along the product or service development.

Here is a basic and effective template:

I. Overview

1.Situation

1.1 Trends/Key Changes in the macro environment: economic and social facts that affect your industry and audience.

1.2 Customer profile.

2.Strengths and Weaknesses of your company and top competitors.

3.External Threats and Opportunities for your company during the designated period of time.

II. Targets: revenue and volume for the time frame. Break it down by shorter periods, if your business involves seasonal variances, and by sales channel, online, offline, etc. That will allow you to track results closely. In addition to numeric targets, try to establish parameters to measure the effectiveness of your programs. Determine what to evaluate, and establish standards of performance. That will allow you to take periodic corrective action.

III. Key Objectives: list here the broad actions that will lead your company to reach your numeric targets. List a minimum of three but no more than six or seven key objectives for the period. Be aggressive but realistic. As an example of a Key Objective, “Increase your online sales within the channel mix.”

IV. Strategies: now it is time to start planning how you will apply resources to implement and achieve those Objectives. As an example of a Strategy related to the Key Objective above, “Increase unique visitors to your website.”

V. Tactics: list the programs that will turn your strategies action oriented. As an example for the Strategy above, “Optimize the use of keyword search on top search engines.”

IV. Attachments: Add to this section your communications schedule, funds allocation chart, and any other charts that will help your team visualize and compare results.

When building your Marketing Plan, make sure you include your team members in the process, and pay close attention to what competitors are doing. Try to look at your brand, services, strategies and programs with the eyes of your audience.

by Renata Lerch

The Business Health Test

Which do you prefer - calling leads, including Matol leads or just buying customer's?

Are you a slave to your home based business, having to recruit people every month just to qualify for all the bonuses? If so, you are not alone. Although many network marketing companies offer good value in terms of products and services, many of them, including Matol have qualifications in place every month that distributors must have in place to receive all the compensation benefits. It's just a reality in the mlm industry.

I don't know about you, but I used to do that and hated that part of the requirements each month. I'm reminded about that each time I call someone I personally know in one of those companies at the end of the month and they are scrambling to make sure everyone is qualified. I was talking to someone the other day and she was telling me she had about 8 hours worth of calls to do because it was the end of the month. I was totally stunned, but glad I never have to do that.

By the way, I am not picking on Matol because they are a very good company with excellent health and wellness products. Matol has been a leader in the network marketing industry for 23 plus years. They have excellent customer support and management. Check them out at their Matol.com website for more information.

Speaking of Matol, how do you build your Matol home business? Do you make a list, talk to your friends and family, or worse buy and call your Matol leads? Wait a second, has anyone ever suggested there's a better way than calling your Matol leads?

If so, please read on to discover the new paradigm shift in developing a home based business and a residual income by buying an asset, as opposed to having a liability. Yes, you heard me correctly. The vast majority of mlm companies are set up so that you are actually buying a liability.

When you first get started in your new home based business, you have to buy some product, which I have no problem with. However, you have to pretty much do everything, including paying for advertising, recruiting customers/distributors, following up with each one of them, training them, and ensuring they are qualified so you can get all the bonuses etc.

There's a better way to do things and It's Good Business.

The New Business Model

Why not buy customer's instead of Matol leads? Yes, it's a reality today. Let the company do all follow up with the customer's. You see, when your organization consists mostly of customers, you have an actual asset. The new business model is called It's Good Business. Most people have not heard about it, but soon they will.

writtem by Darrell Lischka

Communicating Change to Internal Audiences

Developing a succinct message for any form of communication is one of the most important factors of success. But even a well-crafted message won�t work if you�re aiming it at the wrong people. Regardless of your role and the kind of nonprofit organization you�re with, you need to be able to plan and deliver a clear, convincing and powerful message in all of your interactions.
This is especially important when communicating new initiatives to your staff, board and volunteers. They are your biggest ambassadors and agents for positive change. If you fail to get them on board, you�ve created an obstacle that will hinder your ability to achieve success. There is even greater risk when the very people who are on the front lines of your organization are misinformed or disengaged, which according to recent Gallup reports, represents an estimated 54 per cent of employees.
While the relationship between employee communications and individual career motivation is complex, we do know that the top two reasons for disengagement are poor relationships with and lack of clear communication and direction from managers. So investing more time in improving your interaction is well worth the effort.
Here are the most common traps organizations fall into when communicating change or significant news:
� Too busy � the reality is most effort is typically focused on the external announcement or event and spending much time on the internal announcement can become an afterthought.
� Using the same message for all audiences � whatever the message is, it needs to be meaningful and inspire a specific reaction. Staff will have different interests than media would, for example.
� Leaving more questions than answers �failing to anticipate questions and to prepare responses is a common pitfall.
� Giving the wrong message � what could be great news to one group can be cause for concern for another.
� Failing to segment your internal audiences � staff is not a single entity.
� Not giving enough time for your internal audiences to digest the information � expecting the audience to get up to speed too fast.

The simplest way to avoid sending the wrong message is to spend time in the early stages to consider your audiences and what will appeal or be meaningful to them, and to ensure good delivery and follow through.

Step 1: Fail to plan, plan to fail.
Planning is a journey, not a destination. The simple act of planning will bring forward issues and ideas you hadn�t thought of. Here are some tips:
� Start with your objective in mind � although obvious, it�s easy to forget. The first step to any strategic communication is defining your objective. Each message you deliver should have a specific audience and purpose.
� Make a list of all of your audiences. Divide your internal audiences up as much as appropriate to the project. This can be done by function, by role, by department or whatever works for your situation.
� Identify the role each group plays in your initiative � will they be go-to people for inquiries once the project starts? Are they a link in the chain? Do they just need to know, but won�t be directly involved? Are they responsible for training other staff and volunteers? This helps identify what information each group will need. This might mean carefully ordering when you plan to give information to each group, for example, brief department leaders or go-to people first.
� Identify the issues or concerns for each group � anticipate any positive or negative reactions, and make sure you have answers for each. Remember the first question is always, how will this affect me?
� Identify the action you�d like to inspire in each group � each audience needs to know their responsibility in the process and what you are asking them to do.

Step 2: Develop winning messages.
� Consider each audience and develop a statement that addresses your intended action/response and the audience�s issues or concerns.

Step 3: Watch your tone and body language.

� An average of 90 per cent of verbal communications is transacted by your tone and body language, rather than words. This means how you say it is more important than what you say. This can be disheartening, but remember that your goal is to inspire. Be aware of the hidden messages you may be sending; get out from behind the table, uncross your arms, and make eye contact, for starters.
Step 4: Follow through.
When rolling out an internal message, there are other important things you should do.
� Follow up with a written summary � if you�re presenting information at a meeting, commit to sending out a summary to all before the day�s end (tip: write this in advance; it will give you extra practice at staying focused on the message). This will cover anyone who couldn�t attend, as well as fill in the blanks for people as they process the information.
� Make information accessible � ensure you have multiple methods of making information available to the organization. Distribute it, post it, store it centrally, and list contact people.
� Provide more than one go-to person for questions and make sure they are available and equipped with the information needed.
� Commit to future communications � let people know how and when they can expect to get updates.
� Remember to keep it simple, and repeat, repeat, repeat.

written by Sherri Garrity

Developing a succinct message for any form of communication is one of the most important factors of success. But even a well-crafted message won�t work if you�re aiming it at the wrong people. Regardless of your role and the kind of nonprofit organization you�re with, you need to be able to plan and deliver a clear, convincing and powerful message in all of your interactions.
This is especially important when communicating new initiatives to your staff, board and volunteers. They are your biggest ambassadors and agents for positive change. If you fail to get them on board, you�ve created an obstacle that will hinder your ability to achieve success. There is even greater risk when the very people who are on the front lines of your organization are misinformed or disengaged, which according to recent Gallup reports, represents an estimated 54 per cent of employees.
While the relationship between employee communications and individual career motivation is complex, we do know that the top two reasons for disengagement are poor relationships with and lack of clear communication and direction from managers. So investing more time in improving your interaction is well worth the effort.
Here are the most common traps organizations fall into when communicating change or significant news:
� Too busy � the reality is most effort is typically focused on the external announcement or event and spending much time on the internal announcement can become an afterthought.
� Using the same message for all audiences � whatever the message is, it needs to be meaningful and inspire a specific reaction. Staff will have different interests than media would, for example.
� Leaving more questions than answers �failing to anticipate questions and to prepare responses is a common pitfall.
� Giving the wrong message � what could be great news to one group can be cause for concern for another.
� Failing to segment your internal audiences � staff is not a single entity.
� Not giving enough time for your internal audiences to digest the information � expecting the audience to get up to speed too fast.

The simplest way to avoid sending the wrong message is to spend time in the early stages to consider your audiences and what will appeal or be meaningful to them, and to ensure good delivery and follow through.

Step 1: Fail to plan, plan to fail.
Planning is a journey, not a destination. The simple act of planning will bring forward issues and ideas you hadn�t thought of. Here are some tips:
� Start with your objective in mind � although obvious, it�s easy to forget. The first step to any strategic communication is defining your objective. Each message you deliver should have a specific audience and purpose.
� Make a list of all of your audiences. Divide your internal audiences up as much as appropriate to the project. This can be done by function, by role, by department or whatever works for your situation.
� Identify the role each group plays in your initiative � will they be go-to people for inquiries once the project starts? Are they a link in the chain? Do they just need to know, but won�t be directly involved? Are they responsible for training other staff and volunteers? This helps identify what information each group will need. This might mean carefully ordering when you plan to give information to each group, for example, brief department leaders or go-to people first.
� Identify the issues or concerns for each group � anticipate any positive or negative reactions, and make sure you have answers for each. Remember the first question is always, how will this affect me?
� Identify the action you�d like to inspire in each group � each audience needs to know their responsibility in the process and what you are asking them to do.

Step 2: Develop winning messages.
� Consider each audience and develop a statement that addresses your intended action/response and the audience�s issues or concerns.

Step 3: Watch your tone and body language.

� An average of 90 per cent of verbal communications is transacted by your tone and body language, rather than words. This means how you say it is more important than what you say. This can be disheartening, but remember that your goal is to inspire. Be aware of the hidden messages you may be sending; get out from behind the table, uncross your arms, and make eye contact, for starters.
Step 4: Follow through.
When rolling out an internal message, there are other important things you should do.
� Follow up with a written summary � if you�re presenting information at a meeting, commit to sending out a summary to all before the day�s end (tip: write this in advance; it will give you extra practice at staying focused on the message). This will cover anyone who couldn�t attend, as well as fill in the blanks for people as they process the information.
� Make information accessible � ensure you have multiple methods of making information available to the organization. Distribute it, post it, store it centrally, and list contact people.
� Provide more than one go-to person for questions and make sure they are available and equipped with the information needed.
� Commit to future communications � let people know how and when they can expect to get updates.
� Remember to keep it simple, and repeat, repeat, repeat.

written by Sherri Garrity

6 Smart Ways to Think Local and Grow Your Business Fast

With the worldwide reach of the Internet, what often gets forgotten is growing locally. The politicians had it right with that famous saying that "all politics is local." It doesn't matter how they rank nationally; politicians need their hometown votes to stay in office. That logic makes sense for most businesses, too. Local clients and customers tend to be the most loyal, because they know you personally.

Since the inception of the Internet, every year there are more people on line searching for the product or the service they need. More than ever, their focus is local, right down to getting directions from Mapquest.com or using a Google map to find their way to the most conveniently located source.

To make your business stand out locally, include your business name, location, zip code and hours in all Internet directories. Key search words are important, but so is letting consumers in your immediate vicinity know that you are right next door.

To make it personal, get personal by inviting individuals and organizations to meet with you. Go to individuals and organizations within a 25-mile radius to meet with them. It works.

6 Smart Ways to Think Local and Grow Your Business Fast

1. Get your business listed free. There are several Internet search engines that provide opportunities to set up free listing accounts. There may be a company 1,000 miles away or overseas that offers what you do, but listing yourself as the closest local provider makes you the convenient choice. Here are a few places to start in setting up free accounts: Google Local at www.google.com/local/add/login?hl=en_US, Yahoo Local at http://listings.local.yahoo.com and YellowPages.com at www.yellowpages.com/sp/contact/update.jsp.

2. Follow the 25-mile rule. Get out a local map and draw a circle around a 25-mile radius from your front door. Target local consumers and businesses within that 25-mile radius that are your potential customers. Visit a local Chamber of Commerce directory on line to hone your search. Get out there in your local area some afternoon and look for businesses that don't belong with the local Chamber of Commerce. Instead of spending huge sums on direct mail that might bring you only a very limited return, invest in a targeted direct mail campaign focusing on those 10 to 100 potential customers within the 25-mile radius.

3. Host an event. Using the names and addresses of potential customers inside your 25-mile radius, create an invitation list to an event that will allow potential customers to meet you personally. Offer a free gift or service as an incentive. If you are a solo entrepreneur with limited or no space (and limited funds), partner up with another business or even a nonprofit organization to co-host an event. Both you and your partner should give away a freebie so that there are plenty of incentives for your affair. To get some ideas, look in your local paper for local happenings. Circle those that are co-hosted by similar and also dissimilar organizations for ideas.

4. Follow up. Send personalized thank-you notes to those who attend your event, and include a flier describing your services. Include a special offer of a personal invitation or an opportunity to subscribe free to your newsletter that will get their attention. Your personal touch tells your future clients that you are willing to get personal to meet their needs. For a smart guide to how to write business thank-you letters,
go to www.ehow.com/how_1378_write-business-thank.html.

5. Get out there! Set aside one afternoon or morning each week to meet with potential clients (and partners for future events). Search your local newspaper or www.craigslist..org for local events, and show up in person to say hello. Offer to be a guest speaker, and choose a general-interest topic that will sell yourself first, and then your product or service.

6. Participate. Join a nonprofit group for a good cause, and bring plenty of business cards with you. Write a letter to the editor of a local newspaper, and include your business title and business name. More than 90 percent of all businesses are small businesses. Your perspective on small businesses is important, because your perspective is personal.

Because the Internet has brought untold convenience and immediacy to our lives, growing locally by using the Internet, so that our local, hometown resources can find us is a great way to market yourself virtually.

About the Author

Ruth Klein is an award-winning business owner, best-selling author and marketing and time management consultant whose clients range from solo entrepreneurs to the Fortune 500. Sign up to receive Ruth's 7 Part Mini-Course on Branding and Productivity. http://tinyurl.com/25tqo5

Marketing Strategies - Which do You Use?

Effective marketing strategies are an extremely important aspect of your online business. Would you like to increase your profits? There are countless strategies for marketing your business successfully. Keep reading for some great tips and ideas that can be used by seasoned marketers or complete newbies!

One of the most important marketing strategies you can use for your business is article marketing. People differ on their views, but I find writing articles to be the most effective method of promoting my business. Write one article, submit it to several article sites, and soon you could easily have hundreds of links to your product or service! And it doesn't cost a dime - even better.

A great way to generate tons of traffic is by using viral marketing. This is another one of my favorite marketing strategies. You can accomplish this by creating special reports and ebooks and inserting your links to other related and complimentary products. Give your report or ebook away and you can easily have thousands of people, your FREE ebook in hand, filled with all of the links to your money making products. Allow people to give your free ebook away or sell it, and it spreads even more. This is viral! Another one of the great marketing strategies you should really put into place.

Posting in forums is a very good way to market your business as well. Visit topic related forums, read other members posts and respond when your answer will benefit other readers. Don't spam the forums by posting your ads and leaving. Other members are much more likely to click on your signature links if you show that you are helpful and knowledgeable. They will also gain trust in you, and come to see you as an expert in your field. Forums are another one of the great marketing strategies you should be using.

As I mentioned earlier, there are simply endless methods that can be used to market and promote your business successfully, and most are free! Be creative and you can come up with many of your own unique marketing strategies.

about the author

Find out how to market your business at no cost! Get my FREE report, The FREE Factor.

Tess Tackett invites you to learn more about marketing strategies! Also visit her blog, Tess Tackett