Marketing Tip: What to Look for in a Marketing Plan to Boost Your Author Business

When it comes to running a successful business, a solid marketing plan is a must-have. It’s not just about jotting notes on a calendar; it’s about understanding the core pieces that keep your strategies cohesive and effective. Let’s talk about the essential components every marketing plan needs, so you can take control of your business growth.

Want to dive deeper into the topic? Check out the video below for more insights:

The Eight Marketing Plan Essentials

A marketing plan needs a clear structure, and there are eight critical elements to ensure your plan covers all bases. Here’s what to focus on:

  1. Production Schedule
  2. Items You Have Available (Backlist)
  3. Repurposing Old Items
  4. Funnels
  5. Promotions
  6. Budget
  7. Scheduling
  8. Flexibility, Scaling, and Growth

These elements work together to keep your marketing organized, scalable, and effective. Let’s break them down.

1. Production Schedule

Your production schedule outlines what content or products you’re releasing and when they’ll launch. Ask yourself:

  • What’s already planned?
  • Are your releases aligned with your goals?
  • Can you consistently create and deliver?

Whether you’re publishing books, designing products, or launching blog posts, having a clear production timeline is essential.

2. Available Items: Your Backlist

Your backlist is your inventory—the things you’ve already created. Whether it’s books, courses, or blog posts, these are your assets.

Make them work for you. Your existing content should continue earning and contributing to your success. Keep a list of your backlist handy for planning sales, promotions, or bundles.

3. New Opportunities: Repurposing Old Items

Think of creative ways to breathe new life into your old content. Here are some examples:

  • Turn an eBook into an audiobook, paperback, or even a graphic novel.
  • Republish blog posts as part of an email series.
  • Merge related products into bundles.

Repurposing old items saves time and lets you reach new audiences without starting from scratch.

4. Funnels That Connect It All

How do your products or content relate to one another? Funnels are the glue that connects your efforts, guiding people from one product or touchpoint to the next.

A strong funnel strategy ensures your readers or customers don’t stop at one purchase—they keep returning for more. You’ll want to set up processes that make this journey intuitive and beneficial for both you and your audience.

5. Running Promotions

Promotions go beyond simple discounts. They’re carefully planned strategies to attract attention, increase sales, and grow your audience.

Not sure how to start? Consider these ideas:

  • Free giveaways
  • Countdown deals
  • Temporary discounts

Promotions don’t always require a big budget! Start with what you have and work your way up.

6. Budget: Telling Your Money What to Do

A marketing budget isn’t just numbers on a spreadsheet—it’s a way to take charge of your growth.

Figure out where to spend and when to test new strategies:

  • Allocate funds for promotions, ads, and tools.
  • Track returns to see what’s working.

Even if you’re starting with a tight budget, thoughtful planning lets you make every dollar count!

7. Scheduling for Efficiency

A calendar is your best friend when it comes to scheduling. Use it to map out everything from production to promotions.

Don’t forget to factor in real-life events such as:

  • Holidays like Christmas or New Year’s
  • Seasonal content opportunities
  • Personal deadlines or breaks

An organized schedule helps balance your workload with your life.

8. Flexibility, Scaling, and Growth

Businesses change, and your marketing plan needs to adapt. Flexibility is key to scaling your efforts over time.

  • Starting with a $10 budget? Learn how to grow it to $1,000.
  • Selling to a small audience? Figure out how to expand without overextending yourself.

Growth takes effort but is achievable when you plan for scalability. Stay adaptable while remaining focused on your goals.

Wrapping It Up

A good marketing plan keeps you on track and ready for anything. By focusing on production, leveraging your assets, and planning for growth, you’ll set your business up for success.

Questions? Want tips tailored to you? Head over to Finding Your Indie. Don’t be shy—get involved, leave comments, or reach out on social media.

Ready to jump in? Stay tuned for more on production schedules and beyond in this series. Let’s get ready to tackle your marketing plan step by step.

Discover the key elements of a winning marketing plan. Learn how to organize, budget, and grow while staying flexible for success.
Discover the key elements of a winning marketing plan. Learn how to organize, budget, and grow while staying flexible for success.
Discover the key elements of a winning marketing plan. Learn how to organize, budget, and grow while staying flexible for success.
Discover the key elements of a winning marketing plan. Learn how to organize, budget, and grow while staying flexible for success.

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