Introduction to Strategic Marketing

Here is a breakdown list of the things you should consider when you begin to analyze your marketing objectives, whether you are a start-up or you are wanting to re-visit your current marketing plans.

• Current and thorough business plan
• Research based knowledge of the industry in which your company serves
• List of resources you have, as well as resourses you wish to add
• Breakdown of your budget, and how you would like to distribute it

Basically, the list above is a starting point for anyone wishing to look into a new marketing plan. You'll notice that this list only mentions lists. That's all you need to get going. Within your lists you will have all of the information you need to get your marketing initiatives started. It is important that your lists be based upon good solid research based on your company and your target audience.

Seeing a Return on Your Marketing Investment

Look at your marketing efforts as an investment into your business. It can be a very valuable investment with a very high rate of return, or without the proper research and knowledge it can be a sour waste of money. This is why we focus on smart decisions based on industry knowledge.

The value of your return comes from the new clients and customers you get because of your marketing efforts. When you hit your target audience, and they like what they see, they come to you for your product or service. On the other hand, if you miss your audience with badly placed advertising, you are spending money without getting the new clients and customers you are hoping to see.

Do Your Research

This cannot be stressed enough. Before you do anything, do research on the topic. Find out how well similar products are selling, and how they are marketed to the customers. Find out how many direct compititors you will have, and figure out why your product or service will be better or more appealing to the customers or clients. This will be a great beginning to your marketing efforts.

Know Your Resources

If you've done your research, then pull together all of your resources. This can be as simple as a friend with a laser printer, or someone's nephew is a web developer. These resources can be very valuable to you by saving some money along the way. Just remember not to "skimp", the cheapest way is not always the best way. Of course, the most expensive way is rarely the best way. So make the most of the resources you have, and have fun.

Know Your Budget

Before your resources go into use, know up front how you want to use them. If you have money set aside for professional marketing assitance, know how much you are willing to spend and try to calculate how effective that money will be in the long run. It will be a big mistake to have a design firm create a bunch of materials you do not need. We all learned this when we were young; remember to be smart with your money, and spend it wisely. This works in advertising as well.