Market Plan Checklist for Small Business

Have you analyzed the market for your product or service? Do you know which features of your product or service will appeal to which market segments

In forming your marketing message have you described how your product or service will benefit your customers??

Have you prepared a pricing schedule?

What kinds of discounts do you offer, and to whom do you offer them?

Have you prepared a sales forecast?

Which media will you use in your marketing campaign?

Have you planned any sales promotions? 

Have you planned a publicity campaign?

Do your marketing materials mention any optional accessories or added services that consumers might want to purchase? 

If you offer a product, have you prepared clear operating and assembly instructions, if required? What kind of warranty do you provide? What type of customer service or support do you offer after the sale? 

Do you have product liability insurance?

Does your packaging appeal to your target market?

Do you need to patent your product?

What are your product distribution channels

Have you prepared job descriptions for all of the employees needed to carry out your marketing plans?

PR Basics for Your Home Based Business

Public relations, or PR, is a great way to gain national exposure at minimal costs, because you’re letting the media do the promoting for you. The benefits of PR include:

• It’s an effective way to reach a broad audience.
• It creates the feel of being “endorsed” by a print or broadcast medium.

PRESS RELEASE VERSUS MEDIA ALERT

A press release is sent to all print and electronic publications and news personnel and provides a more detailed description about a product or service as well as information about the company.

A media alert is used to publicize events to radio and TV. It is an invitation to the media to attend a presentation or ceremony and it includes only basic information.

FOUR WAYS TO GAIN PUBLICITY

• Write a column in your local newspaper educating consumers about your area of expertise.
• Conduct a seminar on a topic related to your business.
• Sponsor an industry or community event.
• Create a community contest or industry awards program.

CREATE A MEDIA LIST

1. Create a media list of trade and local and national publications relevant to your business.
2. Keep the list updated.
3. Segment your list by type of publication or type of editor.
4. Send press releases only to interested media.

FOUR KEYS TO PR SUCCESS

1. Know what reporters consider newsworthy.
2. Follow the release format, and include storytelling in your release.
3. Use proper grammar and proof your communications for typos
4. Understand reporter routines, competitive concerns and content constraints.

PRESS RELEASE VERSUS MEDIA ALERT

If your company is new or unfamiliar to a reporter, he/she may ask you to provide more information about your company through a press kit. Build a press kit with a pocket folder and printouts with the following information:

• Press release
• About your company
• About your company leaders
• Photo of president or sponsored event
• Product information sheet and a sample of products
• Testimonials touting the product or service you are promoting
• Include current awards or recognitions your company has recently received
• Include a catalog and pertinent brochures of products (if you don’t have a catalog)
• Include information of how your product is unique or heads and shoulders above similar productsMEASURING RESULTS
  • Make your copy sizzle. You may have more space to write but flat copy is dull.
  • Provide clear, fast benefits, right now.
  • Present tense outsells future tense.
  • The Internet offers immediate results for customers who want immediate satisfaction. Provide information to them today, and get to the point quickly.
  • Don’t make customers search for the purpose of your existence. Spell it out.

Secrets To Writing A Winning Press Release

Want to get your company media coverage in publications, on the radio or even on television? Write a press release. A press release is to announce something newsworthy about your company. Some examples are: your grand opening, promotion of a key employee, launch of a new product, record setting sales or a special event.

Editors, journalists and reporters get hundreds of press releases each day, so you need to make yours stand out. Make it easy for the recipients to read so they don’t have to search for the details. Also make sure the press release is relevant for the audience of the publication or broadcast you’re sending it to.

To get the best results send your information on a white letterhead with the information typed and double spaced. Make sure to include the following information: The contact person’s name, title, company name, business address and phone number, all located in the right upper hand corner. Below the contact information put an interesting headline, 5-7 words long in bold face type. Below the headline put the dateline; include the city and the date of your press release.

Then start the body of your copy, do not embellish or hype the information. Cover the basics: who, what, where, when, why and how in the first paragraph. The body of the text should develop your message. Limit the text to one or two pages. Pay close attention to grammar and spelling. When writing your text keep the following in mind, what will the product or service do for the consumer and how does it stand out from the competition? Remember to use your keywords or keyword phrase in the title, subheadline, the first paragraph, the third paragraph and in the summary.

Use bullet points to highlight key points in your announcement. Include a quote that supports the importance of your message; this quote can be from you; make sure to list your title at the company. At the end of the press release include a recap restating your product’s specifications, and highlight the product release date. Make sure to include live links in your press release that will take your readers to a landing page on your web site that will allow them to do business with you. Your landing page could provide them the opportunity to sign up for relevant information or take them to your sales page, this will be determined by the type of press release you’ve written.

Followup is crucial, wait for four or five days after you’ve sent the information and then follow up with a phone call. Remember to be persistent, but be polite. The effort you put into your press release will pay off. Plan carefully, a good marketing plan will include a monthly press release.

Seven Simple Steps To Start Your PR Campaign

Entrepreneurs know that no matter how wonderful your product or service is, the key to success is getting the word out.  Most entrepreneurs mistakenly overlook PR because they don’t think their company is “big enough” or “successful enough”.  PR is a credible way to increase your profits and should be part of your business plan from Day One. Here are 7 simple steps you can use to start your PR campaign today .

1.) Create a 4-5 sentence announcement and send one out every 45-60 days.  Send it to your local Business Journal and the largest local newspaper in your area.  Send announcements out to any organizations, associations or alumni groups you belong to.  Start today.

2.) Create a press kit, post an online press kit for download on your website or blog.  Send your Press kit including a “pitch” letter out to the appropriate media contacts.

3.) Participate in online discussion groups, make sure to craft a signature file promoting a free offer on your web site, always make sure to include your web site url.

 

 

6.) Write articles.  Submit your articles online or to the op-ed sections of newspapers and magazines.  You can offer to write a regular column for your local daily or weekly newspaper.

7.) Contact media leads that are looking specifically for your expertise.  As a member of our Millionaire Diva Mastermind we provide you with 100+ fresh new media leads daily.  These are professionals in the media that are looking for information and experts, they are asking for you to contact them and they tell you exactly what information they need.

When you’re getting started the PR process may seem overwhelming to you, the key is to take the first step and get started, be consistent and you’ll build momentum, credibility and visibility.

 

 

How to Become Famous!

Want to create a little buzz about your business? Here are some step by step strategies you can use to get your message out and position yourself for success.

• Create your “pitch” and develop a news “hook”
• Put out online and offline news releases on a regular basis
• Appear on television, start local and build to national appearances
• Do radio and podcast interviews, these can be done over the phone, so look outside your locale
• Determine community needs and find a way to fill them, this will give you great local publicity
• Find a way to tie-in to charity events
• Do public speaking
• Write a book and become known as the expert
• Write articles to submit online to ezine directories

So there you have it, strategies anyone can use to become famous!