How to start marketing

One of the biggest challenges that business owners face, is how to put together a marketing plan, and start marketing their business. The challenge can seem overwhelming when you see all of the variables that need to be considered, when you are formulating a marketing plan. It is important to keep in mind that a marketing plan will be a waste of time and money, if you don't have the right research, behind your decisions. Planning is the key to creating a marketing plan that will help your business find the success it needs, for the long term. Here is what you need to know about how to start marketing-

It is important to know what to focus on. Marketing experts recommend that you focus on 3 different areas. The areas you will need to focus on are-target market, competition, and market conditions. Keep in mind that you will also need to gather both primary and secondary information, for each area.
- Target market-The first area you will need to get to know is that of your potential customers. You will need to get information both about your potential customers, and from them, as well. It can be helpful to ask yourself the following questions-
1. Who is most likely to be your potential customer?
2. What are the demographics of that group?
3. What are their needs and wants?
4. How does your product or service fill their needs? Where does it fall short?
If you take the time to learn the answers to these questions, it will help you focus your research, define your problem, and have the information that you need, to begin putting together your marketing plan. You should also keep in mind that you will need to gather your research, directly from your potential customers, using a variety of methods. These methods can include but are not limited to: interviews, surveys, focus groups and using already established marketing research, from marketing firms, or even your competitors. It is important to understand that this can be a time-consuming process, especially when you compare it to doing secondary information research. However, if you are willing to take the time to do this, you can gain significant and useful knowledge, about your target markets needs and wants, which will enable you to be much more successful when you are marketing to them.
- Competition-It is also critical that you try and gather as much information as you can, about how your competitors have marketed. This can give you a clear view as to what has and has not worked. Many business owners choose to overlook this step in the marketing process. However, by failing to take this step in your market research, you will not be able to avoid the costly mistakes that your competition has done, with their marketing. You can also use this type of information to improve your market share, by knowing what you need to improve on your products or services.
- Market conditions-You may be ready to move on from market research, when you get to this step, however, you should stick with it, since market conditions, will tell you a lot about how you should be marketing your product or service. Market conditions include but are not limited to: the social, economic, and culture forces that are shaping your market industry. If you can successfully gather this information you will be able to stay ahead of trends, respond quickly to changes in the market, and anticipate events that could affect your business. Having this level of awareness, is what can make the difference between successfully marketing your business, products and services, and quietly fading away.