7 Steps to a Designer's Successful Marketing Plan

Marketing is the key to increased profits and growth for any business.

Marketing is all about determining the needs of your target market and providing solutions to meet those needs.

These 7 steps will help you to create a successful marketing plan for your business.

Most companies promotions focus on how great their products and services are. Instead, educate your target market consistently and start building a relationship that will establish your credibility and trust. It is important to develop a marketing mindset. It is very important to consistently market your products and services. Don’t fall into the trap of stop and go marketing. Some small business owners only market when sales are down.

You can’t have a successful design firm without having a successful marketing plan. Effective marketing is the way to growth and profits.

If you’re a design studio owner or you want to know how to start a small business in the future, this simple 7-step plan will help you understand your business and your target market.

The Marketing Plan: 7 Steps

Begin the process by answering these questions:

1) Who?  Who specifically is your target market? Who is your ideal client? What research can you do to find out more about your target market?

2) What? What products and services do your ideal clients want and need? What does your product and service do for your ideal client? What problems does your product solve for your customer? What are the solutions that your ideal client is looking for? What is your area of specialty that will differentiate you in the marketplace? What are the industry trends? What type of message will your ideal client likely respond to? What are you ultimately selling? For example: Are you selling eye glasses or are you selling vision? What is your unique mix of products and services? What is your pricing strategy?

3) Where?  Where is your ideal client? Where is your customer located geographically? Where will you position yourself so they can easily find you? Where are the best places to get your marketing message to them? Will you speak to groups, hold seminars, or write a blog, newsletters or articles?

4) When?  How frequently does your target market need to hear your marketing message? When are they most likely to buy your products and services?

5) Why? Why are you in business? Why do customers or clients buy from you? Why should they choose your product or service over your competition?

6) How? How does your customer buy your product or service? How are you going to reach potential buyers for your services and products? How will you communicate your marketing message? How will you provide customers or clients with the information they need to make their buying decision?

7) Marketing Mindset – Practice mastering a Marketing Mindset and you will be on the path to a profitable small business.

With these 7 steps, you can take action towards starting a  marketing plan that targets new customers. "Marketing is about testing and evaluating your return on investment. But it’s primarily about helping people get what they want." Master these marketing steps and you will be on the path to more profit and success as a business owner.

 

By Robert Moment
Image by  Frenk And Danielle Kaufmann


 

Robert Moment is an innovative forward-thinking small business and marketing coach and the author of Invisible Profits: The Power of Exceptional Customer Service and It Only Takes a Moment to Score. Robert specializes in teaching entrepreneurs and small business owners how to start a business that profits and grow.