Concepts Required For Marketing Plan Section of Business Plan

Clearly defined quantifiable objectives derived from SWOT that are measurable, achievable and profitable.

Segmentation Strategy and Target Selection

You must first define your overall generic product market and then understand the criteria for which you are segmenting the market. Your segments must be homogeneous within and heterogeneous between. You must identify your sources. There are many ways to segment a market including but not limited to geographic, demographic, product usage, message response, geo-demographic, psychographic, attitudes and behaviors, buying patterns, and customer types.

Bar Goers

General Out of Towners over 21
Parents visiting students
Convention attendees at hotels
Age 30 and above
Income above $30,000
Hotel Specific / Students over 21
Live on Metro Route
Age 21 to 30
Income less than $30,000
Tourist Special Events over 21
Rodeo
Metra events
Occupation Specific / Towners over 21
Live on Metro Route
25 and above
Income over $30,000
Occupation Specific

You must go after a sizeable enough market to be profitable. You should find a target or two or three where you are strong in resources and can either beat your competitors head on or have your own niche. Look for operational, identifiable, growth oriented segments and use other marketing models you have studied to explain your opportunity for business potential.

Dimensions and Decision Making Process

Clearly understand your target audience by walking through their buying process. Is this a routine or extensive buying process. Define each step 1 though 5 so that you will be able to design your strategy of how to influence each step. Understand their activities, interests, opinions, and demographics by giving a portrait of your typical customer.

Means End Chain Conceptual Advertising Strategy (MECCAS)

(Leads to Value Proposition)

This process of brainstorming and conceptual development is a means to an end of giving the product value in the mind of the customer. The elements are then used to develop the values for the scales of the perceptual map. It is important to think in terms versus the competition. These elements are also used in the promotion process to help determine the advertising and communication strategy by using them for message development with specific “hook” and benefits described below.

Product / Attributes / Physical Consequences / Psychological
Consequences / Values
Nightly Cruiser Bus / 30 Seats with Air Conditioning and Heat / Comfort / Feeling Pampered / A responsible good time
Stops at popular bars / Convenience and Safety / Feeling Smart and responsible / My family and friends won’t worry about me
Runs every 30 minutes bar route / Entertainment / Feeling Socially Included / I won’t worry about them
Metro route to take you home / Designated Driver for the evening / No worries / Great for the community, bars too
Advertising Strategy / Elements / Benefits / Hook / Driving Force

Perceptual Map

This is good for everyone
NIGHTLY CRUISER
More Independent
TAXI / Social with Friends
DESIGNATED DRIVER
Protecting myself

Brand Positioning Statement

Where does your product fall on the perceptual map, between what two values? The two values should be combined to make the best statement possible versus the competition. Here is why all of your brainstorming to make the best perceptual map possible pays off.

THE NIGHTLY CRUISER IS A GREAT WAY TO HAVE FUN WITH YOUR FRIENDS THAT IS GOOD FOR EVERYONE.

The value scales are not positive and negative values as your competition will not be negative. The scales are opposites. The brand positioning statement is not a slogan. It is how you position your product versus the competition.

Objectives for Place Price Promotion ….must be consistent with the Brand Positioning Statement as well as your original sales and marketing objectives. You must define your objectives before your strategy and specific tactics for Place, Price and Promotion. Clearly understand where you are in the Product Life Cycle to make sure you are understanding the competitive environment with your objectives and strategy.

Place Objectives fall between High Customer Care and Low Cost Provider

Price Objectives options are Sales, Profit or Status Quo

Promotion Objectives options are Inform, Persuade or Remind

(Use Awareness, Interest, Desire and Action to meet the objectives)