Most successful marketers have achieved success as result of setting a plan and taking action.
Without a plan it isn't always clear if you are going in the right direction.
Great ideas can be found to start the business, but a plan is needed to monetize the idea.
When you know where you are and know where you want to be, then the only missing thing is the plan.
Four Steps to Planning: •Set Clear Goals What is your dream? After visualizing what you wish to achieve, your goals should be written down.
Tip: to help actualize your goal, formulate your future goal in the present tense and try to be specific.
Set measurable goals that can show where you are and how you are progressing.
Think big but be realistic in the goal you set.
You might make your task more manageable by breaking down major goals to sub-goals.
•Business plan A business plan provides benchmarks to mark your progress.
A business plan is also essential if you plan to develop business loans or lines of credit.
For your business, select a product or niche you know about or are passionate about; you will be more inclined to put more work effort in an area you enjoy.
Look into various available tools to identify the demand for your selected area.
You can use Google's keyword tool to find what key phrases or keywords people search in your area of interest.
The higher the number of searches, the higher the interest and competition for that key word.
If you conduct a google search for a keyword, you can also find the number of sites competing for that keyword.
You can investigate what these different sites have to offer.
People seeking solutions to a problem make better customers than those just browsing the net.
If you can understand the problem, you can find solutions and products which customers are seeking.
A "SWOT analysis" (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, Threats) can be a useful tool in developing your business plan.
Identify your strengths and weaknesses- playing on your strengths (e.
g.
work experience, computer skills, product familiarity) and overcoming your weaknesses (e.
g.
Lack computer experience, difficulty writing, limited marketing skills).
Find opportunities that give you an advantage (e.
g.
improvements on existing product).
Learn to be creative and perceptive.
Identify outside threats which are risks for your business.
By managing risks, you can plan better for your success.
Cashflow problems are often a main problem that cause new businesses to fail.
Your business plan should include adequate budgeting of income and expenses for financial contingencies for your business.
•Strategy Find your strategy that defines how you will succeed and why your business plan will work.
Take adequate time to learn your market.
You can develop knowledge and experience by joining competitor mailings.
Forums are a good source of information.
Modeling good leaders may reveal insights to success.
Identify your USP (unique selling position).
How does your service or product become a desirable part of the market.
Some questions to think about include whether customers buy your product, whether to be an affiliate marketer, your selling price, and what bonuses and guarantees to offer.
•Decide on Your Action Plan Based on your business plan and strategy, you will need to decide the "how, what, when" to carry out your business.
Actions will be more easily implemented with action steps for each phase of business.
For example an action plan for your website might include the following: -Write sales letter for website -Get HTML editor such as Kompozer -Buy a domain name -Find a good web host -Promote your website -Review and test your plan on ongoing basis, making adjustments as needed Now you are ready to proceed to take action and start your business of making money online.