Start Your Own Biz | Marketing Must-Have Planning Checklist

As we wrap up this series on How to Start a Business, it is perhaps fitting that we end it off with marketing - the next series in this newsletter.

But this is not marketing in the way you think it is... it's more about what needs to be in place before you can even consider marketing your product or service.

So, before you jump right in to the Marketing series, let's take a look at what you need to do to be ready to follow my next guide.

This is Part 11 in an 11-part series on How to Start Your Own Business.

Answer the questions that follow with a simple YES or NO. Where you've answered 'No', drop me a comment and I'll do my best to guide and advise you, based on your business type.

1. Have you done market research on your product or service?

2. Do you know what product or service features will appeal to which segments of your intended market?

3. Have you created a detailed description of what differentiates your product?

4. Have you framed your product or service in such a way that it highlights your solution to their problem?

Read: 10-Minute Guide to Competitor Analyses

5. Have you created a pricing schedule/breakdown?

6. Do you have discounts lined up, and why?

7. Have you segmented your market so you know who those discounts will apply to?

8. Have you planned any promotions for your launch?

9. Do you have a publicity campaign?

10. Do you have some kind of sales forecast?

11. Do you have media and marketing materials you plan to use in your campaigns?

12. Do those marketing materials mention any optional accessories r value-added services that may attract a buyer?

13. Do you have the user manuals and operating instructions your product will need? If you offer a service, do you have detailed instructions ready?

14. Do you have warranty information in place, if a warranty is offered?

15. Do you have a customer service support desk or chatbot ready to manage complaints and queries?

16. Do you have product liability insurance in place?

17. Have you onboarded a packaging supplier or made arrangements for packaging your products?

18. Is there a way to patent your product or service idea, and have you done this?

19. Have you partnered with a shipping agent, courier, or distribution channel to ship your product?

20. Do you have employee job descriptions in place for the staff that will launch with you or soon be onboarded?

You can see that none of this is 'marketing' in the traditional sense of the word, but is quite important to getting your product out to the market.

Our next series in this newsletter will cover more actionable and step-by-step instructions on How to Get Your Business Online in 2024.

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