What is Venture Marketing?

Venture marketing is the process of helping companies meet their intended growth targets by assuring that their marketing programs remain robust and fresh.  We provide an objective perspective and help our clients look at old issues in a new way.

We work with both marketing executives and staff level marketing professionals, serving as their marketing sounding board.  We help:

• Review the effectiveness of existing strategies,
• Develop innovative ways to expand current marketing efforts by developing new marketing strategies
• Test market strategies.
• Provide education and mentoring to marketing personnel.

Ultimately we help assure that the marketing function of a company stays fresh minded, well managed, and well trained.

Our expertise includes:

• Reviewing and updating strategic marketing plans.
• Budgeting for marketing programs.
• Reviewing market research and targeting prospects.
• Reviewing branding material.
• Evaluating target markets and recommending new markets.
• Reviewing education based programs.
• Reviewing direct marketing & internet campaigns.
• Training and educating marketing personnel.

STRATEGIC MARKETING PLANS  back to top

Developing a strategic marketing plan is the first step in developing an effective marketing program.  The following is our basic strategic planning methodology:

1. Visioning.  We engage in a "visioning" process to kick off the strategic planning phase of work.  During this process, we engage with our clients to identify their objectives for the program.  Both broad based and specific objectives will be developed during this visioning process.

2. Strategic Plan Preparation.  We take the information we develop during the visioning process and hammer it out into a formal strategic marketing plan.  The idea here is not to create a two inch thick document that looks impressive on the shelf.  The idea is to put into writing (in a relatively concise manner) the objectives of the marketing plan, methods for implementing the plan, and timetables for accomplishing each element of the plan. 

Below are a number of elements that are typically contained in one of our strategic marketing plans.

BUDGETING YOUR MARKETING PROGRAM  back to top

Companies typically spend between 2% and 8% of their annual revenues on marketing and advertising. Given this large variance in expenditures, one of the first issues we need to resolve is "how much you are willing to dedicate to a marketing program."  Establishing a budget will help provide direction to the development of your marketing program.  We will help you analyze your budget and identify priorities.  Even limited budgets can produce excellent results.

MARKET RESEARCH AND ESTABLISHING TARGET MARKETS  back to top

Targeting your prospects is critical to the success of your marketing program.  We can help you establish and prioritize your target markets.  Through detailed research of your industry and your goals, we can help you build a very targeted database of prospects.

BUILDING YOUR IMAGE THROUGH EFFECTIVE BRANDING  back to top

Building a brand image for your company is the most basic element of your marketing program.  We can help you develop brochures, business cards, logos, and slogans that are geared to your company's specific target market.  We call all of this "collateral material."  Basically, it is anything physical that is received by your clients and prospects.  This material should contain a consistent brand thread that customers can identify with and relate to your company.

As in any advertising, branding is something that can take years to build, so it is important to strategically develop branding marketing material during the initial phases of any marketing program.

DIRECT MARKETING CAMPAIGNS  back to top

With a good marketing plan, good brochures, and a targeted prospect, we can then provide you all of the resources to engage in direct marketing campaigns, including:

• Direct mail and e-mail marketing
• Telemarketing

EDUCATION BASED MARKETING CAMPAIGNS  back to top

We have found that education is a very good way to provide a value added service to your prospects and customers.  We can help you develop education based target marketing programs such as topical seminars and educational newsletters.  Your clients and prospects will find these informative and will help you to develop more meaningful relationships.

INTERNET MARKETING CAMPAIGNS  back to top

Having a presence on the internet is of growing importance.  We can help you establish this presence.  We can:

• Develop and manage websites that are informative and effective.
• Develop targeted websites that attract potential prospects and customers.

TRAINING YOUR IN-HOUSE MARKETING STAFF  back to top

In small and medium size businesses, it is not uncommon for marketing to be function that is shared by several staff members.  In fact, we often find that those in charge of basic marketing functions are not even trained marketing professionals.  We can help by providing guidance to these staff members that will make them more effective and more confident in their marketing efforts.