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Is A Marketing Plan The Same Thing As A Communications Plan?

How does a Internet marketing or Internetmarketing plan relate to an organization's communications plan? What are the differences? Is the Internet marketing or Internetmarketing plan just one aspect of the communications plan? Should one consider combining them into a single document?

A communications plan is a PART of your Internet marketing or Internetmarketing plan. A communications plan is a focused strategy you use to get the word out about your business, product or service.

You may use a variety of communications tactics such as public relations, advertising and speaking engagements. Yes, it does identify who you are communicating to and what your message is, and where and how you will get that message out, and often has goals or objectives you are trying to achieve.

Here's the difference between the two

A Internet marketing or Internetmarketing plan starts by creating a strong, strategic Internet marketing or Internetmarketing foundation for your communications plan. It addresses the goals and objectives for your business, not just for your communications activities.

It addresses how you package, price and sell your product or service, not just how you talk about it. It takes into consideration your competitors and helps you develop a unique selling proposition to ensure your product or service is uniquely positioned in the minds of your prospects and customers.

And it ensures you have a way to track all of your Internet marketing or Internetmarketing activities to create the greatest possible success for your business.

You need a Internet marketing or Internetmarketing plan FIRST

The messaging part of your Internet marketing or Internetmarketing plan is where your communications plan comes in. Once you have created a strong, strategic Internet marketing or Internetmarketing foundation (which you will do as part of creating a Internet marketing or Internetmarketing plan) you can determine a message strategy and tactics - this is your communications plan. And it most definitely can be a part of the same document.

When I write Internet marketing or Internetmarketing plans for clients, the communications plan is part of the Internet marketing or Internetmarketing plan. The only time it is not, is when the client has written their own business and Internet marketing or Internetmarketing plans. But in those cases, I make sure I either get to review their plans or that I completely understand their business goals and strategy so I can develop a Internet marketing or Internetmarketing communications plan to support them.

The success of your communications plan depends on it

If all you have is a communications plan, you are missing an important part of what it takes to make a business successful. A Internet marketing or Internetmarketing plan is essential.

20-year Internet marketing or Internetmarketing veteran Debbie LaChusa created The 10stepInternet marketing or Internetmarketing System to help small business owners successfully market their business, themselves, without spending a fortune on Internet marketing or Internetmarketing. To learn more about this simple, step-by-step program and to sign up for her FREE audio class and FREE weekly ezine featuring how-to articles, tips and advice, visit Internet marketing or Internetmarketing.com">http://www.10stepInternet marketing or Internetmarketing.com

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