As you sip on your morning coffee, staring at your computer, waiting for your emails to come in, why not do something different today?

But what could YOU be doing?

Well how about preparing your 2011-2012 marketing plan – yes the new financial year is here and what better time to work out what you’re going to do differently this year.

Now before you say “I don’t need a marketing plan”, check out our easy five step marketing plan:

1. Budget. Allocate yourself between 5% and 10% of your turnover for your marketing budget. Anything less and you’re not spending enough. Anything more and you’re spending too much.
2. Analysis. Work out what you did last year. What worked? What didn’t? What didn’t you try?
3. Calculate. For the bits that worked last year, do more of it. Drop the advertising that didn’t. And try one thing new.
4. Plan. Draw up a 12 month calendar. Now work out all the key dates, Valentine’s Day, Christmas, Easter etc including any industry specific events that are relevant to your business and start filling in what marketing/advertising you are going to do, when and where.
5. Contact. Now you’ve worked out how much you’re going to spend, what you’re going to spend it on and when you’re going to spend it, it’s time to make the call. Or the email. Whichever you prefer, just get in contact with your marketing partners and get your marketing plan into action.

It really is as simple as 1, 2, 3 with two extra steps! As the year rolls on, and the reps start calling, don’t get badgered into “revolutionary ideas” or “once a year specials”, stick to your plan.

At least once a week I read an article that says “spend more time on your business than in it” so use this morning to draw up your marketing plan. You can still have your coffee, just don’t spill it on the plan!