Creating a marketing strategy for a new business can be an intimidating task, but it is essential to do so before committing any funds to advertising. Putting the time in to thoughtfully plan your steps in 2024 will keep you from stretching your budget too thin and receiving underwhelming ROI. To help you know whether you are ready to go live with your plans, we've put together this helpful list of questions to ask yourself before executing your strategy.

Addressing these fundamentals is essential for your marketing success.

1. Have you crafted a clear branding strategy?
Define your company's brand by identifying your difference-maker, and align your marketing plan with your business goals.

2. Do you have a distinctive logo?
Your logo is the visual representation of your brand; ensure it conveys your company's culture, values, and professionalism.

3. Have you determined your advertising budget?
Analyze your financial capacity and allocate a realistic budget, considering suggestions of spending 20% to 30% of your annual budget on advertising.

You should have a good understanding of who your potential customers are. 

4. Do you understand your target audience?
Identify the demographic factors influencing your potential customers, such as age, location, marital status, and buying power.

5. Do you know your target audience's preferences and activities?
Analyze your customers' lifestyles, interests, and activities to tailor your advertising strategy accordingly.

6. Do you know where your target audience spends their time?
Consider the daily activities and preferences of your target audience to select the most effective advertising channels.

Before launching a marketing campaign, you should determine what success looks like for you and your business!

7. What are your advertising goals?
Clearly define your goals, whether building brand awareness, achieving short-term revenue targets, or focusing on long-term trust-building in the community.

8. How will you track your advertising efforts?
Develop a plan to track your advertising success, utilizing unique toll-free phone numbers, URLs, or customer feedback to understand the effectiveness of your campaign.

If you need expert guidance in preparing a marketing plan or are ready to operationalize a strategy you've already created, Zimmer Marketing would love to partner with you! We have helped hundreds of businesses across the Four States conduct successful marketing with custom web design, radio, and digital campaigns!

Get in Touch with a Marketing Consultant