Marketing Tips for Creating Your 2014 Plan

During the fourth quarter of each year, many businesses spend time planning their goals for the coming year. And while setting goals is an important exercise, the implementation steps are equally critical. The goal is the benchmark we establish to measure our success.

Before creating your marketing plan, here are some basic rules you should understand first.

Research social media - The latest and greatest social media site may not be for you. Just because everyone is talking about it doesn't mean it's for you. Before taking the plunge, decide how you will use it and how it fits into your plan. Can you devote the time and attention to it?

Make sure your website is robust - When someone is searching for you, they need to find you. And once they do, the more information you provide, the better your chances of being considered. The more information available, the more likely your site will have a greater impact on their decision.

Content is king - Focus on creating content of value. Not everyone will read everything you create nor will everyone be looking for the same thing when they visit your site. Your goal is to have the solution to your visitors’ problem on your home page. In a face to face selling situation, you're going to point out every advantage doing business with you affords. Your website should be as thorough.

Keep your website current – Your website should be updated frequently to reflect the changing landscape of your business.

So before you create your 2014 marketing plan, first look closely at your website and make sure all that traffic you are planning on driving to your site will actual take the action you want them to take.