How to Create Your QUIRKY Marketing Plan

It is important to think about the goals you have for your business.  With each goal you set, you must decide what outcomes you want to achieve, how much you want to spend on promotion of the project and the best media to use. In this case, media is the venue you plan to tap into in order to promote your project.  Will you contact your local newspapers, radio or television?  Will you post a video describing your project on YouTubeÒ, Blix.tv or other video sharing site?  Will you use email to promote your project or share your ideas with your social networking sites?

There are so many ways to use the media and for most projects to be a success, finding the right outlet and the right message are critical.  And promotions generally begin with an offer.  That’s especially true of one-time projects, like one-time events, special promotions, milestones in business, etc.  Your promotion should be of value to your customers, relevant to your business and enhance your competitive edge.

It is important to develop a marketing strategy based on the understanding of your clients, your completion and your strengths.  Then you can plan your marketing activities and monitor the results. Monitoring is important so you can see what’s working and where you need to adjust your plans.

Developing your marketing strategy begins with identifying your target market. Within your target market is your Ideal Customer.  Who do you want to sell your products and services to?  What does your target market want and need? What are their concerns, issues; what influences them? Where does your target market hang out? How does your target market research products and services?  When are they most likely to use your product or service? Why would they want or need your product or service (their motivating factors)? Motivating factors could include price, quality, benefits, service, compatibility with other products and services, scarcity. Who is your ideal customer currently buying from?

Once you answer all these questions it will be easier to tailor a program that addresses the answers and fits your company’s mission.

Next you must determine where/how you will sell your product or service. What advertising mediums will you use?  What type of customer support will your business require? How will your customers pay for products and what delivery mechanisms do you need to have in place (such as mail order, digital product distribution, coaching, etc.)?

As you create your quirky marketing plan, each area and question should be addressed. 

In case you don’t know where to begin or are experiencing a challenge getting the creative juices flowing, here’s an exercise that I often use to get started.  Grab a pad of paper and a pen and start writing.  Write anything that comes to mind, write for about 30 minutes. Now stop. Look at what you wrote and pick one or two words or ideas and think about how you can use them in the marketing campaign you are about to embark upon.

Need some ideas to kick-start your marketing efforts? Check out Quirky Marketing Calendar ~ How to Use Zany and Non-traditional Holidays to Promote Your Business 365 Days a Year!