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About To Start An Online Business? Read This First.
I recently received an interesting question from a visitor to one of my web sites: "If there is any advice that you wish you would have gotten before you started a business online, what would it be?". Rather than write an extensive email on this...
Financing a Small Business with Little or No Capital
Starting a business without any capital is a daunting task. How
do you pay your staff? Where do you find money for stock? What
can you do to improve cashflow? These are just some of the
questions you'll face. Read on for a few ideas that helped...
Grants, Loans, "Free" Credit Cards And Credit Repair: The Whole Truth And Nothing But The Truth
You got creditors calling you everyday. You could lose the car or house. Your teetering on the edge financial ruin - then you see an ad that may safe your butt! Typical headlines say something like "Millionaire reveals Hidden Cash Sources, or help...
Organisation Tips For The Mobile Executive
Despite the fact that everyone sighs "How glamorous!", the life of the business traveller can actually be hell! Fighting international datelines, jetlag, airline food, hotel pillows filled with rocks, and the constant packing can turn an...
Small Business Q & A: There Are No Dumb Business Questions, Not!
Q: I'm curious. What is the dumbest business question you've ever been asked? -- Norris W. A: Shame on you, Norris. There is no such thing as a dumb business question. OK, that's not exactly true. There are dumb business questions and I do get...
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Creating Your Internet Marketing Plan
For large corporations, a marketing plan is a huge document detailing strategies for the fiscal year. It may include competitor analysis or a sales forecast. While these elements are important to a large business, do you as a small business owner (without a well paid marketing staff) have the time or energy to devote to putting together a huge document? Unless you are trying to get a financial loan, probably not...
But that doesn't mean you should totally scrap the idea. A marketing plan can be a wonderful tool to help you refine your focus. You've heard the old saying "If you fail to plan, you plan to fail." That's because when you don't plan you lack intention and attention.
My suggestion is to create a "micro-plan." Open up a new document and take an hour or two to answer the following questions.
“Micro-Plan” Questions
What is your purpose for being online?
- Awareness
- Sales
- Community
What % of your overall marketing to be done online?
- How much time do you expect to spend marketing on internet?
What strategies will you use?
- Contests
- Forums
- Free
reports/e-book
- Newsletter
- Pay per click advertising
- Banners
- Articles/content
- Viral marketing
Timeline
Assign a project date to each of the strategies. Will they be one time events (contest) or something you need to do frequently (forums)? While you are thinking about it, schedule your projects in your time management system or planner.
Analysis
- How will you track the success of your marketing plans? What is your ROI?
Budget
- What is your total yearly internet marketing budget?
- Assign a $ to each of the strategies you will use.
A successful internet marketing strategy begins with a plan. The time you take to put together your "micro-plan" will be well worth it to your business.
Megan Corwin is an internet marketing coach who helps work at home professionals grow their businesses. For more articles and advice about online marketing strategy and solutions, become a member of Megan’s online community for work at home women: http://www.wahwoman.com/membership.html
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