Tuesday, August 18, 2009

Create A Marketing Plan That Works

By Michael Fleischner

In order to succeed with a basic marketing plan you need to focus on some important elements of a plan that targets the right audience and produces a specific result including lead generation or sales. For your marketing to produce results you should consider using multiple media formats.

There is so much competition today that the messages you use need to be incredibly focused. The effectiveness of any campaign is directly correlated to the quality of your list and the effectiveness of your offer.

Over the past twelve years I have found that marketing results are relatively consistent when sound marketing techniques are applied. These techniques can be effective in virtually any industry and with any type of campaign you have. Consider developing your marketing campaign using these strategies:

Set targeted goals. Before you get started think about the specific goals you wish to achieve. Many marketers focus on generating some type of conversion but you need to define what conversion means to you. Some individuals are just looking for a sale while others are seeking a lead or download. Before you begin your marketing campaign, identify what action you want respondents to take and how you are going to measure it.

Focus on segmentation. Do not attempt to market to everyone. Choose a specific segment and focus your energies there. If you do, your campaign will be more successful. You can increase your chances of success tremendously when you focus on a specific market or niche. Review your current customer and find others like them if you wish to create a positive ROI.

Select a few key messages points. What are the messages that resonate with your audience segment? There may be some key message points you have when describing your product or service. If so, use them to create a baseline and try to improve in later campaigns. You need to talk to your prospects in the language that resonates with them if you are going to grab their attention and gain their trust.

Determine which offers you are going to test. The only way to ensure a successful marketing campaign is by testing various offers. The offer is a key component for driving results and can always be improved. Your best bet is to test multiple offers by splitting your list, your web visitors, or viewable audience. Once you find and offer that works, try to beat its results during the next campaign.

Use integrated marketing. To get the most from your marketing campaign, do not rely on a single email, advertisement, or post card. Think about and select the media that your segment uses to get information on a regular basis and purchase the products and services they want. This method can help you determine the best way to reach them. Once you have develop a marketing campaign, utilize as many of these media types as you can to convey your message and offer.

Using these marketing techniques are important for producing a positive ROI. In addition, be aware of your campaign timing. Even if all of the above criteria are met, your campaign could still fall short if you havent exposed your audience to the right message at the right time.

Be sure to review each of the aforementioned steps before creating your next marketing campaign. Your marketing is only going to be successful if you set specific goals, segment your market, focus on key messages, and test a compelling offer. I encourage you to experiment with different media to get your message across.

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