Marketing basics

Brush up on key marketing concepts, learn how to develop a marketing plan, and assess strategic marketing options for your company.

• What is marketing?
  Marketing is determining the value of your product or service and communicating this information to people who might buy your product or service. Read this document to find out how.
• Marketing FAQs
  
  http://www.the-cma.org/?WCE=C=47|K=225539
  Find clear answers to your questions about marketing techniques and approaches, including direct mail, e-marketing, online retail, customer loyalty and data mining.
• Developing a Marketing Plan
  Your marketing plan is an essential part of your overall business plan. Find out what to include in your plan and how to develop each section.
• Marketing – Ask a Professional
  
  http://www.bdc.ca/en/business_tools/ask_professionnal/archives/rep200401.htm
  Scenarios help paint the picture! Browse expert answers to real questions about marketing, including grants, targeting customers, pricing, and much more.
• How branding really works: the important differences between successful and unsuccessful brands
  
  http://www.the-cma.org/?WCE=C=47|K=228884
  Use these four branding principles to help you convince customers that your product or service meets their basic needs.
• Low-Cost Marketing Know-How
  
  http://www.bdc.ca/en/my_project/Projects/articles/marketing_low_cost.htm
  Advertising does not have to cost a fortune! Consider these inexpensive, and sometimes free, ways to promote your product, service or business.
• Canadian Manufacturing’s Search for Competitive Differentiation
  
  http://www.iveybusinessjournal.com/article.asp?intArticle_ID=781
  Want to get an edge over your competitors? Find out what other Canadian manufacturers are doing to become more competitive and effective.