It Starts with a Plan

Do you have a business plan?  Having a current business plan sounds basic, but more businesses than we’d like to acknowledge, don’t.  Without an up-to-date business plan you’re trying to walk through the jungle without a map and compass (or some other analogy that shows it’s just a really bad idea).

If you’ve got your business plan handy, then we’re off to a good start.  If not I’d recommend downloading our business strategy questionnaire here.

From this plan we can develop the marketing plan.  Start with your specific marketing goals, and distill those goals into achievable monthly and weekly goals. Also, you’re business plan must dictate how much you’re going to spend on marketing.  Without marketing goals and a budget, again…well that’s just dangerous and it won’t allow you to measure the results.

And then you need to turn your business plan and marketing goals into a fully fledged marketing plan, taking into account the three most crucial factors:

1. Who you are (check out the 12 marketing archetypes).
2. Who your competitors are.
3. Who your target market is.

Just to give you an idea of the kind of elite club you’d be in if you plan and then measure your marketing:

Sensis Report 2016 and 2018

We offer Fully Integrated and Digital Only, Marketing Strategies to focus a business’ efforts on the best way to achieve their marketing goals.  And you may be eligible for grants to assist with the marketing plan.  Contact us today for a quote.

There are only 35% of business with a digital marketing plan and only

26% of SMEs are Measuring ROI on their Marketing Efforts

Once you’ve got your business plan, and your marketing goals and budgets, then you need the creative and integrated marketing.  You can download our marketing plan template here.

All marketing ideas need to fit together to achieve the marketing goals of the business.  According to Professor of Marketing, Mark Ritson:

“We don’t need digital marketers working within one silo; we need marketers who see the benefits of all potential media and the power of integrating them.”

This is why we’re so committed to a marketing strategy prior to starting on the management of any marketing, including social media.  We believe to our core that:

“Integrating your marketing is the only way you will see true and meaningful success.”

Remember that, of SMBs, there are only

26% that Plan, Spend, Measure, and Adjust.

And if you are worried about the spending part, ponder on this little pearl of wisdom from one of the fathers of advertising:

“The man who stops advertising to save money is like the man who stops the clock to save time.”

– Thomas Jefferson

But always test and adjust your advertising.

And in the immortal words of John “Hannibal” Smith;

“ I Love it When a Plan Comes Together”

If you are looking for a marketing plan drop us an email; fully integrated marketing is what we are all about – hi@slimdigital.com.au