3 Symptoms of Being Without a Marketing Plan

A marketing plan is key to every business's success. To me, it's just not negotiable. I've seen time and time again how people who come to me feeling overwhelmed, unfocused, stuck - start turning it around immediately when we fashion a marketing plan that fits them and their business.

On the other hand, I've seen what happens when people don't have a marketing plan. Below are 3 symptoms of businesses operating without a marketing plan. See if you can recognize yourself in any of these.

1) They don't make marketing decisions quickly

People who don't know where they're going usually find it hard to decide where to go! When you don't have a marketing plan in place with desired outcomes and specific strategies, then you'll find it more difficult to make a decision quickly (or even at all!) about any marketing opportunities that come your way. You won't be able to decide how and if it fits into your overall marketing strategy because you haven't got one!

2) They have short-term thinking

Doing a marketing plan forces you to think about your objectives and goals over the next few months and the business year. When you don't take the time to think out a long-term strategy, you're always stuck in reactive and short-term thinking. This means you don't get the most impact from your marketing strategies, you're operating in "catch-up" mode and you experience more stress than is necessary. As well, with short-term thinking you tend to give up too quickly - most marketing takes time to "build" and without a plan you tend to become discouraged more quickly because you can't see the bigger picture.

3) They over-react to their environment

When you haven't spent the time to think clearly about where you're going and how you're going to get there, then you're more susceptible to negative reactions to any changes in your industry, working environment or competitor's activities.

A marketing plan capitalizes on your strengths and compensates for your weaknesses. When you have a clear idea of what you offer and how your business is unique, you are more firmly rooted in self-confidence and clarity about what you're doing. We all can be buffeted at times by feelings of doubt, fear or lack of confidence. But when you know exactly what you're focusing on, you can sail through those times faster. With a marketing plan in place, you also won't be tempted to have knee-jerk reactions and possibly take a direction that costs you money and achieves fewer results.

Of course, the good news in all of this is all of these symptoms can be easily alleviated with a good marketing plan!

Taking the time to sit down and create a marketing plan will not only save you from the problems listed above, but it will help you attract business, money and satisfaction faster and easier.

Jody Gabourie, The Small Business Marketing Coach, teaches small business owners and entrepreneurs how to take action with their marketing in order to get more results and more profits. To learn all about her unique "done-for-you" ebooks called Ready Made Marketing Plans™ and to sign up for her FREE special report, ezine and articles, visit her site at www.JodyGabourieMarketingCoach.com

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