How creative is your marketing plan? As an extremely busy entrepreneur, it can be hard to pull yourself back enough to see the entire forest and not just the trees. How do you make sure your marketing plan is as strong as it can be? From an infographic to help you tap into your creativity, to helpful tips and tools like the SWOT analysis, here’s how to get started.
Tips & Tools for Your Marketing Plan
At Three Girls Media, Inc., we recommend developing a new marketing plan every 6 months. This gives you the chance to change your strategy mid-year while still allowing your plan some time to see what’s working. Remember, public relations is a slow and steady approach to publicity and brand awareness; it takes time.
Developing your marketing plan should be more than just writing ideas on paper. It’s important to:
- Bring a few team members (or friends/colleagues if you’re a solopreneur) in to brainstorm with you.
- Set aside specific time to work on it – actually block out a few chunks of time on your calendar.
- Remember the SWOT analysis – think about your:
- Strengths: What are your advantages?
- Weaknesses: What could you improve on?
- Opportunities: What trends in your industry have you noticed that could be useful?
- Threats: What are your obstacles?
- Don’t be afraid to get creative and try new ideas!
Infographic: 29 Ways to Stay Creative
Are you feeling too tired and overwhelmed to come up with new ideas? It’s important to be intentional about it! I recently stumbled across a helpful infographic that shares 29 ways to be creative. Here are a few of my favorites:
- Make lists
- Get away from the computer
- Sing in the shower
- Surround yourself with creative people
- Go somewhere new
- Take risks
- Got an idea? Write it down
- Clean your workplace
- Have fun
Putting the Plan on Paper
Of course, there comes a point where you have to put your marketing plan on paper. Take the time to write out your goals, how you plan to achieve them and actual activities you’re going to do month by month. Then run it by a few colleagues or friends and put it into action. Remember, it doesn’t need to be pretty; it needs to be functional!
Once you’re done with your plan, make a note in your calendar to start thinking about it again in about 5 months. This will give you a chance to actually schedule time to brainstorm and work on your next marketing plan. Plus, then you can start thinking about your goals and which activities are helping you achieve them.
Have you created a marketing plan for your business? What tips do you have? Feel free to share any advice you have for tapping into your creativity or thoughts about the infographic I shared in the comments below, too!
Special Offer: Complimentary Consultation
Three Girls Media, Inc. is a public relations and social media management agency with teams in Silicon Valley and the Seattle area. We love working with small and emerging companies across the nation to raise their brand awareness and name recognition. We offer a complimentary 30-minute phone consultation with our CEO and can answer your questions and discuss your specific marketing needs. Call 408-218-2391 or Contact us today to arrange yours!