The following 8 items are what I consider a good small business start up checklist; if you are in business or thinking about getting into business you will want to make sure you have or are working on all of these things constantly. The mix of all of these necessary items works well to maximize your exposure, credibility, expert status as well as build your database and help you make informed marketing decisions.

1. Realistically Defined Target Market – Most small business owners actually have way too large of a target market to be realistic in order to market to them all with the limited time and budget available. More than likely you might want to narrow down your market or define your niche even more with specific demographics and psychographics; then you’ll really begin to see unique opportunities that might become available to reach that market. And don’t forget about all your referral sources – they are your target market too! If you go to the Small Biz Products page of my website, you can sign up to receive my Free Report – ¡°How to Define Your Target Market in 5 Easy Steps¡± – <http://www.ksawamarketing.com/pages/biz-building-products.html>.

2. Marketing Plan – This plan should outline everything you could possibly do in your marketing based on who your target market (ideal client) is and the best ways to reach them including various guerilla marketing techniques, promotions, ideas and co-promotions. Then you need to stick to your well-researched plan and not get sold or steered away by random advertising opportunities. This should also include a

Publicity Plan – Including pertinent media contacts, press releases, article submissions and event listings for ongoing exposure – If you’re not submitting press releases regularly to the local media, local organizations you belong to, etc. you are missing FREE opportunities to get additional exposure for your business.

Your Marketing Plan should also include an Advertising Plan – Including Timeline & Budget – More than likely you’re not spending enough money on advertising, period end of story. If it’s done in the right places, places that reach your target market, with a good message or headline and for a reasonable length of time you should see good results. If you only try it once or go too small or have no idea to effectively design your ad – you will not get results. Learn about all the advertising mediums in your target area, who they reach, their demographics, what kind of circulation they have based on their cost, etc.

Your Marketing Plan should also include an active Networking Plan – Including any pertinent organizations, associations, chambers or other professional group that brings in referrals or is a good venue for prospecting or business development – Pick 2-5 organizations you believe are the best to either promote your business or build your business in, join them and then become as active as you possibly can so you become the well known expert in your field. Volunteer your time generously and most of all put their events on your calendar before ANY other client meeting or job BECAUSE ¡­these are your advertising dollars NOT being spent!

To put a quick Marketing Action Plan into effect for your business right away, sign up for one of my JumpStart Your Marketing 1-on-1 Planning Meetings at <http://www.ksawamarketing.com/pages/1on1.html>. I have a unique talent for developing just the right blend of marketing strategies for every budget and business.

3. Database – Inputted/Formatted in the computer with all Clients, Prospective Clients, Referral Sources & Contacts – you need one place where everyone you have ever known or done business with is housed in the computer so it’s easily mail merged for one – sort them if you can by hot, warm or cold prospect or referral source. Then you should regularly stay in touch with your database through effective Database Marketing and Follow Up in order for you to be On the Top of Their Minds when the topic of your service/product comes up.

This can include letter and email templates, a system for following up to Hot, Warm and Cold prospects and ongoing database marketing – If you are not doing quick follow up after you meet someone/anyone then you are missing opportunities and they will forget about you. You want to follow up with everyone you meet within 48 hours and then continuously, you need to make this automatic, systematic and practical so it will get done – delegate it if you have to.

4. Website – Including Domain Name (s), Hosting, Reciprocal Links, and Internet Submission – you are missing out on sales if you do NOT have a website – but a professional website is a must, not a home-made, amateur site; that will hurt you and your credibility. It doesn’t have to cost an arm and a leg, but the goal should be to inform, entice and

paginas web
diseño de paginas web
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capture – capturing the contact info from everyone who visits your site should be your most important goal – because then you can continue marketing to them either by mail or email and the more likely they will use you or refer you. The content on your site needs to also be compelling, attention getting and filled with keywords to attract the search engines. Hiring a good web designer or developer is very important and very hard to do because many have talent but some do not and say they do. You really want a web designer that also has some sales and marketing experience although in my experience, that is the hardest thing to find.