What Goes Into a Successful Marketing Plan?

What does it take to create and implement a successful marketing plan? We always say that everyone is in “marketing.” That everyone is in “sales.” Why? Because no matter what role you have in your organization (an entrepreneur, a manager, or a subject matter expert), you need to be able to identify trends, to figure out how to create and sustain value for your customers and partners (whether external or internal), and to develop effective ways to get that message across. That's the perspective we’ve thought about as we assembled the content for The Marketing Plan Blueprint course: to walk...

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How to Get Help With Your Marketing Plan

Going through a structured planning process and then writing and sharing your marketing plan will go a long way towards addressing many of the issues you struggle with to grow your brand. Are you struggling with getting funding from potential investors? Are you struggling with getting your employees engaged to support your goals? Are you struggling with positioning your brand so it can compete effectively to win more business? One way to sort this out is by thinking from the outside in and not from the inside out. Try saying that five times fast! What we mean is that understanding the...

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What Do I Get out of Writing a Marketing Plan?

With so many communication platforms out there, it is hard not to get sucked into worrying about your next blog post, your next tweet, or your next event at the expense of thinking about your overall marketing strategy. We know you’re busy running your business or you’re busy conceiving the details of your new venture. So why does it make sense for you spend time writing a marketing plan? For us, the benefits are many. Above all, it sets the foundation for how you are going to serve and win customers. It ensures that you are connecting all of the...

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Every Day is a Good Day for Marketing Planning

Every day is a good day for marketing planning. Really? Yes, because a well-thought-out marketing plan will help you to win new business and customers, to get more investments if you need them, and to have your team more aligned and committed to your goals. I remember the first “big” marketing plan I had to write for a business I was responsible for. It scared the heck out of me! Why? Because the stakes were high. I had to develop one that convinced senior management that my business was worth investing in as much as I did AND it had...

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10 Marketing Lessons I Learned the Hard Way–So You Don’t Have To

10 marketing lessons

I’ve spent a career working across many different businesses, in the consumer and b2b domains. I've been on some of the best brands globally–Jell-O Gelatin, American Express and IBM. For anyone who spends a significant time in an area, you know you build up both muscle and scar tissue in doing so. As you plan your own marketing efforts, even if you’re just starting with a Facebook page, the following is a list of my top 10 marketing lessons, learned the hard way. Here's to your success. Superior value: Ensure that what you’re offering is better in all ways than what the competition is providing....

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