At the start of a new year, everyone’s focus is New Year’s resolutions and goal setting. As long as I can remember my New Year’s resolution has always been to exercise more, however this has failed every year because of my lack of planning and implementation of the basic steps to achieve my exercise goals.
I’ve realized that the steps I should incorporate in my exercise plan are the same steps I recommend to my clients everyday to help with their marketing plan.
Here are a few fundamental steps that every marketing plan should include for small business owners.
Create a Schedule and Routine
Without a set schedule or routine other excuses or daily tasks creep in and push those marketing tasks down on your priority list and already busy day. Small business owners wear many hats and are put on the spot to solve problems and put our fires; creating a regular, set time to spend on marketing will help keep you on task.
Feasibility
Your marketing plan should also be feasible, just as you wouldn’t start exercising for the first time by going on a 10 mile run, so you shouldn’t jump into trying to do 20 hours of marketing per week. For many small business owners it may start with an hour or two a week on marketing, but plan to increase the time you invest in your marketing strategy so it becomes a part of your daily routine.
Try Something New
If you are not happy with the results, why keep on doing the same things? If you want to be healthier, but don’t exercise you won’t see progress. The same is true for your marking plan. Doing the same thing may not be working so don’t be afraid to try something new and mixing it up.
Do Your Homework
See what others are doing around you, find other industry leaders and learn from them as to what works for your clientele. You don’t have to reinvent the wheel, sure it’s good to think outside the box and don’t just follow blindly, but learn from others you admire and trust.
Stick With It
So often when we don’t’ see immediate results, we get discouraged and quit, but they say it takes 21 days to develop a habit. Having a successful marking plan is a long-term strategy that will take time, but will truly help your company grow and develop.
It’s time to invest and work on your company rather than just in it.
Let this be day 1 of your first 21 days to create a successful marking plan to help your company grow and succeed, and jump on that treadmill too.
Get started on simplifying your marketing & growing your business by contacting StructureM today!
