An online Marketing Plan is essential for advertising and promoting your business. A plan will define your marketing message, you perfect client, and the most effective way to reach them. The next question is What is the budget for your Online Marketing Budget?

6 things you need to include in your online marketing budget:

1. Tools and utilities to track your efforts
2. A marketing coach to help draft and implement your marketing plan
3. A workshop or webinar series to help you obtain the necessary skills
4. A series of short videos
5. Installation of a hosted WordPress blog including a premium theme
6. Design of a branded Facebook Fan Page and a Twitter background

Research each of the options, ask folks in your business groups what services and tools they are using to design, publish and track their online marketing efforts. Obtain three quotes and analyze their responses. The most expensive quote isn’t necessarily going to be the best fit for your business.

A focused plan that integrates all the marketing tools you’ve chosen will result in a better return on investment for your business. Social media tools such as Twitter and Linkedin may be “free” but ill-planned use may cost your business more than an well thought out and executed marketing plan.

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