Implement a marketing plan

Once you are confident you have a thorough, comprehensive marketing plan for your business, you can take steps to implement the actions outlined in the plan.

Your marketing is more likely to succeed if you have adequate resources and expertise to implement it. If you or your team don't know how to implement your business's marketing plan, seek direction and advice from marketing experts and invest in building your staff's skills. If this is not possible, reconsider your plan.

Communicate with your staff

The more you involve your staff in your marketing plan, the more they will invest themselves in it. Your team needs to have total confidence in the information and actions outlined in its marketing plan.

Communicate the plan to your team as much as possible, make sure they have an opportunity to contribute to it and assign them roles and responsibilities in delivering the plan. In particular:

• make sure they understand how the marketing plan fits within your business's goals, objectives, priorities and policies
• discuss whether your staff have the skills and aptitude to implement your marketing plan
• give them opportunities to develop their marketing skills and mentor your staff if they are enthusiastic
• consider whether you need to recruit marketing staff.

Know your end goal

Don't lose sight of what you want to achieve with your business and your unique selling proposition. It is what sets you apart from your competition, and helps keep your marketing focused and effective.

Monitor your progress

You should treat your marketing plan as a living document that you continually revise. Revisit your marketing plan at least once every quarter. Develop a set of questions that help the review process such as:

• Are you on target?
• Have your tactics been too ambitious?
• Is your budget on track?
• Are any of your tactics not working on your customers?

Make adjustments

Make adjustments to your marketing plan wherever and whenever they are necessary. Stay aware of changes in technology, market, competition, customers, suppliers and any other external factors.

Develop contingency plans

Recognise that not all of your plans will work. Marketing is a creative process that grows and changes. You may need to develop contingency plans, extend your time frames, add a new step into your actions, or refine your marketing objectives.

Seek expert advice

Developing and measuring marketing activities is a specialist field. It is a good idea to seek advice from professional marketing consultants if you are concerned that you don't have enough skills or experience. The Australian Marketing Institute provides resources, training and advice on marketing practices and standards.

Also consider...

• Learn about direct marketing from the Association for Data-Driven Marketing and Advertising.
• Find out about great after-sales service.
• Read about how to promote your business at trade shows and exhibitions.
• Learn how effective public relations can attract new customers.
• Discover more about online marketing.