The marketing process a few decades ago is not the same marketing process we use now. Gone are the days of men with hats and funny beards tapping bottles of mysterious elixirs with canes and in comes new technology. Now, the marketing plan is all about websites, video promotions, social media, and infographics. With all these options, it can be challenging to follow a steady and set process, which is why it's best to utilize these 100% customizable and fully editable Ready-Made Marketing Flowcharts! These templates are free to use, available on multiple file formats such as Word, and comes in A4 & US Letter Sizes. So what are you waiting for? Download today!
How to Create a Marketing Flowchart?
An essential aspect of a successful business is a market analysis of the status quo. Whether it's internet marketing, digital marketing, or merely the strategy of a small business, knowledge of the process is always valuable. However, you can take it a step further by formulating a flowchart. This document provides a guide of the entire routine that powers your business. Hence, here's how to make one on MS Word:
1. Identify the Market Status Quo
It is paramount that you first establish the entire scope. To do this, you can ask yourself a few of these questions; "What is current and hip right now?", "Will this be long-lasting or simply a trend?" "What are the significant details?" and many more. These are just a few things you need to consider when starting your flowchart. Another technique you can utilize is by observing the market's patterns, seasonal trends, consistent factors, and how your contenders deal with these. Running both a market and competitor analysis increases your chances of "painting a detailed picture of the landscape," so to speak.
2. Set Your Purposes
Now that you have set the status quo of the market, it's time to set your purposes. The essentiality of this cannot be understated; setting objectives based on your gathered data prevents you from drafting ineffective processes. Think about it, what would be the point of preparing delivery processes for a competitive scenario where email and eCommerce reign supreme?
3.Build Processes Around Your Information
Once you have all the information you require, and you've finally set your goals, purposes, and objectives, it's time to start drafting. This section is where having a sample data analysis sheet becomes an evident convenience, as now you will have to start building a productive work flowchart based on everything previously mentioned. If the status quo revolves around social networks, then your processes should instruct your staff on social networks. If the consumers are more prone to purchase your products at a particular time of year, then your procedures should highlight this.
4. Keep It Simple
Writing a business plan and drafting a marketing workflow have one thing in common; conciseness delivers more impact than a wall of text. Utilizing a document that's easy to both read and understand is more optimal than producing a sheet that is too full of details due to one simple fact; it saves time, and—as we all know—"time is money." Yes, the particulars are necessary, but they can be learned over time. However, when dealing with stuff like an approval process flowchart, your staff's immediate concern is acquiring the approval, and not the reasoning behind why there's a busted printer on the 3rd floor.
5. Scrutinize the Draft
When all is said and done, it's best to gather your team up for a meeting to inform them of your marketing flowchart. Tell them of your goals and objectives, the research you—hopefully—made to provide solidity to your processes, and how they can be improved on through the perspective of your staff. This not only brings to their attention the existence of the guide, but letting them pitch in on the ideas helps with memory retention during those more hectic days.