Free one-page small business marketing guide 

What are you missing from your marketing plan? Do you have one? Like many small-business owners, you probably don’t have an overview of effective marketing activities. Not all of items in the guide will make sense to your business, but many will. 

Much of my time spent with business people is coaching them to think about their customers. That's before we start writing.  It's easy to get wrapped up thinking about how wonderful our own products and services are. We may want to tell our story. But often our customers aren’t that interested. Customers buy for their own reasons. Asking what those reasons are is an important first step. And, what’s more, those reasons keep changing in a fast-paced marketplace. 

This guide is not a recipe. It’s not hype. It’s a starting point for you to think about the questions you may have overlooked. Take your time and consider these questions. They could save you hundreds of hours and thousands of dollars. 

Please let me know how this guide/checklist is helpful or any suggestions for improvement. Thanks to Andy Blackstone for pointing out the difference between importance and urgency with his wonderful phrase, "Whose hair is on fire." Thanks to Ian Blei for his comments on using this as an intake form. Thanks to Mike Leary for his appreciative comments. 

Thank you. 

Christopher Richards