How to Create a Marketing Plan
This project guide helps two Sky’s the Limit members work together through four meetings as they collaborate to a marketing plan.
Meeting 1: Document customer segments
Before this meeting:
-
Make sure that you’ve had an intro meeting. If you need help navigating your first meeting, visit this Guide to Your First Meeting.
-
Review: Customer Segmentation article and Customer Deepdive Template
In this meeting:
-
Use the Customer Deepdive Template to identify your main group of customers, the group that will find your services most valuable and identify some of the problems they face.
-
Based on what you find out through this exercise, determine your main audience(s).
After this meeting:
-
Sleep on it! After a day or so, see how you feel and make any necessary adjustments to your notes.
-
Note any agreed-upon next steps.
Meeting 2: Discuss the right channels
Before this meeting:
-
Review 16 ways to sell and 16 Ways to Sell Guide
In this meeting:
-
Based on the 16 ways to Sell, review all of your available marketing channels.
-
Use your 16 Ways to Sell Guide to brainstorm options for getting the word out about your product or service.
After this meeting:
-
Review your notes about which channels make the most sense for your business and plan for your next meeting.
-
Note any agreed-upon next steps.
Meeting 3: Pick the right channels
Before this meeting:
-
Review 16 ways to sell
In this meeting:
-
Discuss any new information from your last meeting.
-
Determine which marketing channels are most realistic for where your business is now and what resources or tools you’ll need to make it happen.
After this meeting:
-
Set SMART Goals for what you want these channels to do for you in the next year.
-
Note any agreed-upon next steps.
Meeting 4: Create Marketing Plan
Before this meeting:
-
Review: Create a Marketing Plan
In this meeting:
-
Review your SMART Goals for each of the channels you’d like to use.
-
Start planning content – writing, design, video, flyers, etc you may need. If you’re using digital media check out this Content Calendar and determine how much you can spend, if anything, to promote each channel.
After this meeting:
-
Based on your plan, try to create your first social post, reach out to affiliates, or start building your website.
-
Be sure to mark your project complete, update your business tracker, and start a new project!
Want to talk to someone who can help?
Sky’s the Limit members are connected to a community of volunteer business mentors, more free tools and guides like this one, and exclusive funding opportunities.