Getting the marketing right

A successful business needs a marketing plan. This will provide details about the four elements of the marketing mix: Product, Price, Promotion & Placement.

Product – What are you selling? What are its key features? How is it differentiated from competitors? What is special about it (its Unique Selling Point or USP)? Also, you should consider how you will package the product so that it looks attractive and is sold in perfect condition.

Price –  How much will you be charging customers? How have you decided on this price? What pricing strategy are you using (cost plus, psychological, competitive, promotional, price skimming, competition-based, price discrimination).

Promotion – How are you going to make your target market aware of your product? How are you going to make them interested in it? How are you going to make them want your product? How are you going to persuade them to part with their money and purchase it?

Placement – How are you going to deliver your product to your customers?