The Basics of a Small Business Marketing Plan
By Charen Smith

Even among the high gas prices and failed mortgages of the economy, it is still a viable time to start a small business. One of the first tasks to take care of when starting a small business is to create a marketing plan.

Here are the basics needed in a marketing plan for new entrepreneurs:

A core message

A great logo and brand

A Web site

Business cards

Exposure

First, you need to decide what your core message will be. If you don't focus your message about your product, service or business, your customers will most likely be confused by your marketing materials. There's no way you can get a clear message across if you don't even know what that message is.

Part of knowing your core message is knowing your audience. Who are they? Where do they live? How much money do they make? And most importantly, what do they want? Why do they need your product? Your message needs to serve your customers' needs, not yours. Your business' survival depends on your customers' opinions and knowledge of your business, not yours.

You also need to create a great, memorable logo and brand next. Your logo should show your business' personality. When people take one glance at your logo, they should know what you are about and remember you. Your logo is part of your brand. A brand is not only your logo and it's not only your advertising. It's the combination of all your marketing materials, including these two elements, that creates a relationship with your customers.

To be successful today, you need to create a Web site. You need to plan for at least a basic Web site that shows a few of your products, and the benefits of your products. You should explain who you (as a business) are, what your business does and how your business can help your customers. You can add more functionality to your Web site as your business grows - like answering questions and ordering online.

Print some business cards. Be sure to leave room in your budget for business card printing. Even though a lot of marketing and advertising is done online, if you don't have a business card, you'll look unprofessional. You should print at least 500 at first and give them out to everyone you know. Give out a few to friends and family, and really anyone you think might pass them along to other potential customers.

Finally, you need some exposure. Contact your local media - many newspapers and local magazines like to profile new businesses and it's a great way to get free advertising. You should also advertise in local media and hang up flyers and posters around your community. This can be done relatively cheaply - many places like libraries and grocery stores have bulletin boards on which you can hang advertising materials. These are great for the beginning entrepreneur who might not have a huge marketing budget. Also, word-of-mouth marketing works wonders for a new business - ask for referrals and ask your current customers to tout your benefits to others. Many times word of mouth works better than most of your other marketing techniques!

For comments and inquiries about the article visit: Business Card Printing

Charen Smith writes articles about Internet Marketing. She has an extensive knowledge and experience when it comes to business strategies, techniques and business solutions.

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