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1. Get an Overview...

...of your company, your product, your customer, and the risks you take.

2. Analyze the Market...

...including industry trends, your company's strengths and weaknesses, target market trends, competitors and client case histories. Research trade publications and attend trade shows to gather more information.

3. Outline Marketing Strategies...

...using the research as a base for your strategy. Using market perceptions, company strengths and weaknesses and internal goals as guides, position your product/service and price accordingly. Create a distribution strategy, include selling tactics and tools, promotions, customer service programs, follow-up procedures and set specific time frames with marketing budgets to achieve your goals.

4. Target Your Communications...

...directly at the proper target market, determine your message and tone, the media you will use, the program cost and budget.

5. Map Out Your Action Plan...

...and assign tasks to employees, know what help you'll need from outside (third) parties and detail tasks for them to complete with appropriate timelines. Stay flexible, review your plan often and update it based on any changes.

This information has been compiled of a selection of articles written by various marketing / communication professionals.