Do you have a marketing plan for your business or book? I write a marketing plan for every new book I write. I also write a marketing plan for every new product I want to sell and every business I open.

Many people don’t write a marketing plan because they just don’t know what is in a marketing plan. Here are some things that you can use to create a marketing plan outline for your book or business.

First you will want to analyze the total market for your book or services. Figure out which aspects of your book will appeal to different market segments. Then make a list of the features and benefits, in detail. You must also explain why you are different than your competition, explain why yours is better.

Make a list of these items and then elaborate on each one (you can also check out my marketing plans included on my websites and in my books and feel free to just use one of them instead of writing your own!)

Important parts of your marketing plan:

• Description of your target market
• Description of your competition
• Description of your book or services.
• What is your marketing budget?
• Where are you located and what are the advantages and disadvantages of your location?
• What is your pricing strategy?

We all want new customers or to make more sales. What can you do to increase your sales and your customer list?

Try doing these 3 things and you will see a big difference in your client base and sales.

If you have been in business for a while but are looking for some new ways to market your agency, especially during this economic crisis, try these 4 tips.

The Federal Trade Commission has strict rules on when a business can use the telephone for soliciting customers.  Violation of these rules can result in a fine. The rules are:

• Call only between 8 a.m. and 9 p.m.
• Inform the customer that it’s a sales call.
• Describe the good or services you’re selling.
• If there is a prize involved, explain the odds of winning and that no purchase is required to win.

Marketing is one of the most important things you do for your business or for your book.  A common mistake that is made is thinking that you only have to market in the beginning to obtain clients or make sales.  You have to market every day. Here are some things you can do to help you market your book or business:

Marketing does not have to be a chore, do one thing a day. Don’t get discouraged, results can take months or years.

You will need to market your collection agency to get clients.  You first need to know who your potential clients are.  Who do you want as customers?

You can look in your yellow pages and local help wanted newspapers.  Any business that extends credit may need your services, including banks, oil companies, contractors, florists, printing companies, doctors offices, dental offices and more.

Depending on your agency, you could have a variety of different options as to who your target audience is.  For example, if you have a medical collection agency or maybe you only collect on bad checks, you would not want to target business owners with your marketing. If you have an agency that collects consumer debt, your target audience could be business owners or credit cards. See what I mean?

Research who you want as a client. They are probably already using a collection agency so find out more about the agency that they are using and what that clients needs are.  Then follow-up and let them know what you can offer, that is different from that agency they are now using. Also, ask them what they would like to know about your agency or about you and what would make them try your agency.

If you don’t follow up the client will think you are not really interested.  If you are not persistant with them, you may not be with debtors.

I thought this book by Jeffrey A. Landers was great, it focuses on everything people working from home have to deal with. It gives great information about more than just taming a Home office from Hell, it gives you tips on growing, and growing your business, for example, how to become a Nexpert and what to do with that status. There are great stories that give you good ideas and help you relate to what the author is explaining.

Many new entrepreneurs or business owners moving their business to their home really don’t know what a challenge it is to work from home. This book can help you deal with all the common challenges we face and help you grow and prosper in an organized and efficient way.

I just ran across a great article and it featured one of my favorite authors and marketers John Kremer so I had to keep reading.

If you are looking for some good quality tips to promote your book or business you will want to read this article.  There are ideas of things to do before you even begin writing your book, which is when you should be thinking about your marketing!