Your marketing objectives Your marketing objectives should be based on understanding your strengths and weaknesses, and the business environment you operate in. They should also be linked to your overall business strategy. For example, suppose your business objectives include increasing sales by 10 per cent over the next year. Your marketing objectives might include targeting a promising new market segment to help achieve this growth. For more information on how… Read More »Your marketing objectives

Write a marketing plan Introduction Marketing is a key part of business success – and you should use a marketing plan as a basis for executing your marketing strategy. A marketing plan sets out clear objectives and lists the actions you will take to achieve them. Perhaps most importantly, it looks at how you can ensure that your plan becomes reality. A marketing plan includes factors such as deciding which… Read More »Write a marketing plan

Implement your marketing plan Your marketing plan must do more than just say what you want to happen. It must describe each step required to make sure that it happens. Schedule The plan should include a schedule of key tasks. This sets out what will be done, and by when. Refer to the schedule as often as possible to avoid losing sight of your objectives under the daily workload. Resources… Read More »Implement your marketing plan

External and internal analysis for your marketing plan Understanding the environment your business operates in is a key part of planning, and will allow you to discern the threats and opportunities associated with your area of business. An external analysis looks at the wider business environment that affects your business. An internal analysis looks at factors within your business such as your strengths and weaknesses. Examining your internal and external… Read More »External and internal analysis for your marketing plan

How to write a successful marketing plan It is important for a marketing plan to: set clear, realistic and measurable targets – for example, increasing sales by 10 per cent include deadlines for meeting targets provide a budget for each marketing activity specify who is responsible for each activity Make sure you think through each of your objectives logically. For example, you might set a target for the number of… Read More »How to write a successful marketing plan

communicating directly with the targeted customers   Direct marketing is defined as communicating directly with the targeted customers on an individual basis so that immediate response can be obtained. Interaction must take place in Direct Marketing and therefore it is called two-way of communication. Types of Direct Marketing Direct marketing is spreading rapidly and it is done by a number of ways. Following are the forms of direct Marketing that… Read More »communicating directly with the targeted customers

Leaflet drops and handouts   Leafleting is probably the simplest and cheapest form of direct marketing. It may be worth considering unaddressed leaflet drops and street handouts if you want to promote your business in your local area, particularly to consumers. For example, if you: offer services locally – such as food delivery, taxi services, gardening or double-glazing installation want to attract people to your shop’s sale or the opening… Read More »Leaflet drops and handouts

Types of direct marketing   There are a range of types of direct marketing tactics that businesses can use to reach their target audience. Each direct marketing tactic requires particular skills – you should consider whether you have these in-house. It might make sense for you to outsource certain activities. Types of direct marketing include: Direct mail – this involves sending information to customers and potential customers by post. This… Read More »Types of direct marketing

Direct Telemarketing   Introduction Telemarketing can offer a number of advantages over other forms of direct marketing. By talking directly to your potential customers, you can immediately determine their interest in what you are selling. It also allows you to ask questions to assess their needs for your product or service, and effectively explain any technical areas. However, there are some strict regulations that cover telemarketing. You will need to… Read More »Direct Telemarketing

Using your customer database for marketing   Selling to existing customers is far easier and cheaper than finding new ones. That’s why your customer database is one of your most valuable assets. What information does your database currently hold? A list of customer contacts is a start – but more specific information about their needs and interests makes your marketing more effective. This data might include: ordering behaviour – dates,… Read More »Using your customer database for marketing