What's Your Plan?

Whether you are a launching a new business or have an existing business, you need a marketing plan. A well thought out marketing plan will help you reach your goals and get you the results you are striving for. Think of it as a road map. Without a plan (or map) you'll probably end up somewhere else.

Sometimes businesses underestimate the value of a marketing plan. They choose not to create one or the owners might have a vague plan in their heads but nothing written down. There is something about writing it down that makes it more real. Marketing plans don't have to be long and elaborate to be effective. They just need to be well thought out.

There are many outlines available to construct a marketing plan. Here's a fairly basic marketing plan. The most important thing is to understand your target market and think of marketing tactics that will help you reach your audience. A calendar of activities is critical to help keep you on task.

With a marketing plan you'll dramatically increase the possibility of reaching your goals and ending up where you want to be!

Katie Wacek is the President of Sandia Mountain Marketing, a marketing consultancy that provides strategic and tactical marketing expertise to small- and medium -sized companies, professional service firms, and thought leaders throughout the United States. Learn more.