What are the basics of writing a marketing plan?

Answer 1

The elements of the marketing plan are:

1. Business mission statement

2. Marketing objectives

3. Situation analysis (or "SWOT" analysis)

4. Target market profile

5. Strategies for each the marketing mix element (product, place, promotion, price)

6. Implementation, evaluation, and control of the plan

Thank you

Answer 2

From what I recall from my marketing lectures, (while I was studying in University). The marketing plan basically consisted of the " 5 P's" Which are Product (what are you going to market?), Price (where is your price point?), Promotion (How are you going to build awareness for your product?), Place (where are you are going to advertise?), People (Who is your target audience? Who is this product for?)
I hope this helps.

Answer 3

WHAT do you want to sell or promote! Define it as precisely as possible.

WHO are the audience/customers/consumers for this WHAT?

WHAT is the most cost effective comprehensive strategies and means to get THAT WHO (that audience) to buy WHAT I am selling? -- this works for charities as well as for profit businesses. -- word of mouth, Internet, mailers, telemarketing, TV, radio, coupons, bill boards - it is rarely one methodology that works.

METRICS OR KEY PERFORMANCE INDICATORS -- How do I know I am succeeding? How will I measure that?

WHAT is expected income in the short-term and long-term (1-3 yrs?) based on my marketing strategies and those costs.

HOPE THIS HELPS.

MICHAEL

Answer 4

Go to the Small Business Administration. They have lots of free booklets that help with this kind of thing. It will tell you what needs to be included and help with how to word things as well. Look here: http://www.sba.gov/gopher/Business-Development/Business-Initiatives-Education-Training/Marketing-Plan/