Our weekend projects up until the new year will focus on creating plans. This weekends project is to create a Marketing Plan. If you own a business or even a site you should really look at creating a marketing plan. We will outline what a marketing plan should have and some suggestions on things you should look into in 2009.

Take out some paper or use your favorite text editor (or better yet blog about it).

Business Summary
This section should be an overview of your business. You should include the following…

• Brief description of your company
• A mission statement
• Outline of your offerings

Strategic Focus and Plan
This section will focus on what it is you want your marketing to do and where you fit in your market place. You should include the following…

• Your marketing plan over all vision
• The objectives of your marketing
• Competitive comparison and analysis
• SWOT analysis

Target Market Development
This section will be where you should define each product and the various target customers. You should include the following…

• A detailed explanation of the type of person that buys what you sell
• A break down of what triggers people to buy it
• A summary of why people use what you sell

Budget and Promotions
This section is where you should break down a monthly or yearly budget. Also determine any promotions you want to push either each month or during peek or non peek times.

Suggestions for 2009
There are patterns in marketing you should know when planning for 2009.

Economic Downturn
Advertising is down a dramatic amount for the 4th Quarter of 2008. Not just online but in all mediums. Companies that pulled back on marketing during economic crises are out of business.  Do not stop marketing just do it smarter. Focus on PPA and less on branding.

Social Media Focus
If your not involved in any social media then change that. Start a blog, twitter, use Facebook, get Linked-In. Your business needs to have a presence in the social media world and now is the time to do it. Once you have a presence then start to be social where your target markets are being social.

Start Selling Experiences
Stop thinking you sell a product or service. In 2009 try to picture what you sell as an experience. See how your customer see the experience of buying and using what you sell. Try and find a way to have consistency all the way through and enhance it.

If you get stuck let me know in the comments.