Use These 5 Steps to Create a Marketing Plan
A marketing plan focuses on winning and keeping customers; it's strategic and includes numbers, facts and objectives. It spells out all the tools and tactics you’ll use to achieve your sales goals. It’s your plan of action -- what you’ll sell, who'll want to buy it and the tactics you’ll use to generate leads that result in sales. It doesn’t have to be lengthy or beautifully written. Here’s a closer look at creating a marketing plan that works.

RELATED CONTENT
-
Brand vs. Product Advertising. What’s the Fuss?
Marketers have long debated the merits of brand vs. product advertising. In truth, there are reasons for both. The strategy depends on the marketing situation.
-
In B2B Market Research, It’s About Quality, Not Quantity
Online market research tools offer a cost-effective way to gain insight into smaller B2B customer bases. In Part 1 of this 3-part blog, we covered the strategic underpinnings of market research for SMBs; the what and why. In part #2, we get down to the hows. Specifically, online survey best practices. Simple, well-defined questions can be deployed on a DIY basis. If more complex, a hybrid of DIY and professional assistance might be in order.
-
How Best-Practice Segmentation Delivers Faster and More Profitable Growth
There are many approaches to customer and market segmentation. The best method will depend on the business and its goals. This article explores 4 approaches to segmentation, 5 steps to create a successful customer segmentation model, 3 key data considerations, and 5 segmentation best practices. Note: Anyone in the Gardner community who uses GW17Lucky will receive a 17% discount on The Market and Customer Segmentation Workbook. It will only be good for this workbook and will be effective from February 20th through St. Patrick’s Day, March 17th, midnight central time. It will automatically expire at that time.