The,Key,Ingredient,Marketing,P marketing The Key Ingredient to Marketing: The Marketing Plan
Awhile ago, I got an email from one of the "gurus" I follow and it shocked me. The gist of it was this person wanted to trade services for a household item.To say it floored me would be an understatement.What was worse was a few days later t Automation technologies represent a fundamental aspect of any modern industry. The major types of industrial automation solutions, such as DCS, PLC, SCADA, and MES, are used on a large-scale in process and discrete industries.DCS technologie
Normal 0 false false false EN-US X-NONE X-NONE MicrosoftInternetExplorer4 /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;mso-style-noshow:yes;mso-style-priority:99;mso-style-qformat:yes;mso-style-parent:"";mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;mso-para-margin-top:0in;mso-para-margin-right:0in;mso-para-margin-bottom:10.0pt;mso-para-margin-left:0in;line-height:115%;mso-pagination:widow-orphan;font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";}Youmay have heard the term marketing plan,but do you really know what it is and how it helps lead a business towardsuccess? The sole purpose of a marketing plan is to outline in writingthe specific actions you plan to take in order to attract the attention of potentialcustomers. Then the marketing plan goes a step further because it details outhow you intend to persuade these potential customers into buying the product orservices your company offers.Its about the strategyInessence, the marketing plan is the guide you use to implement your marketingstrategy. This means that the key ingredient to marketing your business is themarketing plan itself. This plan spells out what your business goals are andthen draws you a road map on how to reach your goals.Thereare two ways that a marketing plan can be developed. Some businesses havesomeone dedicated to their marketing efforts or they hire a third-partymarketing professional to create it as a standalone document. Other businessesinclude it as part of the overall business plan. Either way, the marketing planhas the same intention; its the blueprint for communicating the value of your businessto your customers.The difference between marketingstrategy and a marketing planPeople often confuse a marketing plan and the term marketing strategy. Whilemarketing strategy is part of the marketing plan, there is a difference betweenthe two. The marketing strategy involves the goals of the entire business includinga definition of your business, a description of your products or services, aprofile of your target market (current and potential clients) and a definitionof your company's unique selling proposition (USP), which is what makes youdifferent from your competitors.While the marketing plan includes the strategy, the true part of the planitself is the specific actions you're going to take to achieve the goals youveestablished with your strategy.Some of the items your marketing plan includes are pricing (for each productor service), the sales and distribution plan and how you plan to advertise andpromote your business.So, can you have a marketing plan without a marketing strategy? No.Can you have a marketing strategy without a marketing plan? You can, but itsa complete waste of time. Again, the marketing plan is your roadmap toachieving your strategy. You wouldnt go on a long road trip without firstmapping out the route from you home to your destination, so why in the worldwould you have a business without a plan for marketing it and attractingbusiness?About the AuthorCopywriterand marketing consultant, Kristie Lorette, is passionate about helpingentrepreneurs and businesses create copy and marketing pieces that sizzle,motivate, and sell. Sheis also the author of Action Marketing: AStep-by-step Guide to Launching Your Business Marketing Plan. For moreinformation, visit http://wp.me/ptLrh-1.
The,Key,Ingredient,Marketing,P