Marketing can be exciting as you get going, but there's no getting around the seemingly laborious planning phase in the beginning. This phase is typically when business owners stop the business-building process. Why? Because it's a lot of work and it's difficult to see the rewards early on. I don't know how to make this easier for business owners except to say that in about 5-6 months, if you stay on track and follow the plan, you'll be realizing the gains you've been hoping for.
In terms of a planning tool that makes it relatively easy, there's none better than Marketing Plan Pro by Palo Alto Software. The company has been well-known for years for it's extremely popular software Business Plan Pro. Over the last several years, it's partner application, Marketing Plan Pro, has become the defacto standard for market planning for small business owners.
Palo Alto Software recently chose Duct Tape Marketing to partner with and has integrated the Duct Tape Marketing system into its planning process. As a Certified Coach of the Duct Tape Marketing organization, I have integrated the award-winning application into my process to optimize the effectiveness of my Atlanta marketing service. If interested in this planning and research service, let me know.
I'm curious to know what kind of planning tool you're now using. Let me know.
