1. Develop a marketing plan for the business you described in Final Assignment A by replacing the information in each of the categories below with the information for your own company. You can review the material from this course, from the Part I Review, and from your assignments as needed. Market Research

Your marketing plan should include research into the overall market, definitions of market segments, and a description of the specific target market you are aiming for.

In addition, your research should describe industry trends, economic changes, and other factors that could affect your market.

Instruction: Write 1-2 short paragraphs about the target market segments for your company and why you think this company and product will be successful. Are there economic, social, or other trends that make this a good opportunity now?

Product Description

This section of the marketing plan describes the features of the product and its benefits for people in your target market.

This is where you discuss the needs, desires, and fears of your target market and consider how you can use emotions to make your product's benefits most attractive.

Instruction: Write 1-2 short paragraphs about your product's features and benefits.

Competition Analysis

In this section, you describe and analyze your company's competition.

This includes direct competitors who offer very similar products, as well as indirect competitors who satisfy the same need or desire in a different way.

This is also where you describe the competitive advantages your product has when compared to these competitors.

Instruction: Describe at least two other companies that are direct or indirect competitors to your company. Explain how you will differentiate yourself from them.

Brand Image Goals

This section describes your company's current brand image, as perceived by your customers and potential customers.

This is where you describe your goals for your brand image. Make a list of the main qualities you want people to associate with your brand.

Describe the market positioning you want to achieve. How do you want your product to be positioned in people's minds, particularly in comparison to your competitors?

Instruction: Describe your brand image goals in 1-2 short paragraphs. Include at least two qualities that you want people to associate with your brand.�

Financial Goals

Set measurable marketing goals over a specific period of time, such as an increased number of customers, sales, or income.

Instruction: Decide how much monthly revenue you want the company to make from sales of the product six months from now, one year from now, and five years from now.

Other Marketing Goals

You may have other marketing goals that you wish to measure.

For example, you may want to measure improvements in customer satisfaction and find out why customers are more satisfied. Did your marketing efforts create more accurate expectations about the product?

Instruction: Describe at least one other marketing goal you would like to achieve. 1-3 sentences.

Marketing Message

Describe the message you plan to communicate to your target market.

This should be a focused message that explains the benefits of the product in a way that appeals to people's needs, desires, or fears.

Instruction: Write 2-3 short paragraphs about the marketing message you will use and why you chose this message. Why does it appeal to your target market?

Pricing

Discuss your strategy for determining the price of your product.

Explain how your pricing strategy will support your overall brand image, marketing message, and financial goals.

Instruction: Decide what the price for your product will be, and describe at least two factors you considered in determining that price.

Promotional Strategies (4.0 points)

Promotional strategies are the ways you will communicate and support your marketing message.

This includes things like advertising methods, public relations efforts, publicity, and other communications.

Describe in detail each method you will use, such as types of ads and their content, or public relations tools like newsletters, networking, and improving your Web site.

Set timelines for when you will put each promotional strategy into action.

This section of your marketing plan should also describe which things your company will do for itself and which things you will hire other people or companies to do for you.

Instruction: Write 2-3 short paragraphs describing at least two promotional strategies you will use.

Budget (2.0 points)

In this section, you define your overall marketing budget for a specific length of time.

Then break down the budget to show where the money will be spent.

Explain how you decided on these numbers for the budget, and why you think it will be worth spending this amount.

Instruction: Decide what the total marketing budget will be, and make a list of at least four things you will spend money on and how much you think they will cost.