5 Steps to Create an Outstanding Marketing Plan [Free Templates]

 Do you take a good, hard look at your team's marketing strategy every year?

You should. An annual marketing plan helps you set your marketing on the right course to make your company's business goals a reality. Think of it as a high-level plan that guides the direction of your team's campaigns, goals, and growth.

Without one, things can get messy -- and it's nearly impossible to put a number on the budget you'll need to secure for the projects, hiring, and outsourcing you'll encounter over the course of a year if you don't have a plan.

Keep in mind there are variations to the marketing plan you need, depending on your industry and the goals of your marketing team. To make your plan's creation easier, we've put together a list of what to include in your plan and a few different planning templates where you can easily fill in the blanks.

→ Download Now: Free Marketing Plan Template

To start, let's dive into how to create a marketing plan and then take a look at what a high-level marketing plan has inside.

In this article, we're going to discuss: 

  • How to Create a Marketing Plan
  • What a High-Level Marketing Plan Includes
  • Marketing Plan Templates You Can Use
  • Plus — Social Media Plan Templates

How to Create a Marketing Plan

  1. Conduct a situation analysis.
  2. Define your target audience.
  3. Write SMART goals.
  4. Analyze your tactics.
  5. Set your budget.

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