20 Questions To Ask

Every company should have a "SMART" marketing plan. Most companies say they have one, but it's not a plan, it's a thought. When creating a marketing plan, you should create it with your team, and it should be in writing.

If you're in marketing, I'd like to urge you to think outside of the box. If you work with marketing professionals, I urge you to push them a bit outside their comfort zone.

Here are 20 questions that I've used successfully to provoke frank conversations and much-needed improvements:

1. How are your services different from your competitor? Do you know what your competitor is offering?
2. How did most of your clients hear about your company in 2017? Are you tracking it in 2018?
3. Is your staff receiving marketing training? How often? And is it a "true" training from an expert?
4. Are you hiring the "Right" people for your business? Are you peer interviewing? What's your turnover rate? Do you have a well written job description?
5. Where is your business coming from? Are you tracking it?
6. What can YOU do better? Are you asking your clients?
7. How many people are visiting your Facebook and Website? Are you updating it? How often? Are you using Linked IN or any other social media?
8. What are customers saying about your company? Are you getting testimonials?
9. When you hire new people are they getting trained "Right"? Do you have a check off list?
10. Does your marketing collateral look professional? Have you watched your marketing person present? What is your 3 minute spill about your company?
11. Is your marketing plan in writing? If so, are you making monthly updates?
12. What is your slogan or tag line? Do you have a marketing campaign? Are you creating video? Do you advertise?
13. What are your CORE Values? Are you making sure your employees are meeting the CORE standard? Are you awarding your employees?
14. Did you set a monthly or yearly marketing budget? Are you sticking to the plan?
15. What are the key services that make you money? Are you tracking them?
16. What marketing software do you use?
17. What does your sales funnel look like?
18. How are you tracking your clients and follow-ups? Are you appreciating your clients?
19. What reports do your sales people turn in each month?
20. Do you NEED HELP???