If you’re looking to succeed with a basic marketing plan, then youll need to focus on some core elements of a plan that targets the right audience and produces a result. For your marketing to be truly effective, you should consider using multiple media and a number of touches.

There is so much competition today that the messages you use need to be incredibly focused. The impact of any campaign is highly correlated to the quality of your list and the effectiveness of your offer.

Over the past twelve years I have discovered that marketing results are relatively consistent when sound marketing techniques are applied. These techniques can be effective in virtually any industry and with any type of campaign you have. Consider developing your marketing campaign using these strategies:

Set specific goals. Before you begin, think about the specific goals you wish to achieve. Many marketers gravitate towards conversion but you need to define what that means for you and your business. Some individuals are simply looking for a sale, others a lead or download. Before you begin, identify what action you want respondents to take and how you’re going to measure it.

Segment your market. Don’t try to market to everyone. If you do, your campaign will not be successful. On the other hand, if you consider the specific audience you’re looking to attract and find them, your chances of success increase tremendously. Review your current customer and find others like them if you wish to generate a positive return on investment.

Identify key messages points. What are the messages that resonate with your audience? Have you used headlines or email subject lines that have performed extremely well in the past? If so, use them to create a baseline and try to improve in later campaigns. You need to speak in the language that resonates with your customers if you are going to grab their attention and gain their trust.

Determine which offers you are going to test. The only way to ensure a successful marketing campaign is by testing various offers. The offer is a key component for driving results and can always be improved. Your best bet is to test multiple offers by splitting your list, your web visitors, or viewable audience. Once you find and offer that works, try to beat its results during the next campaign.

Use integrated marketing. To get the most from your marketing campaign, do not rely on a single email, advertisement, or post card. Think about and select the media that your segment uses to get information on a regular basis and purchase the products and services they want. This method can help you determine the best way to reach them. Once you have develop a marketing campaign, utilize as many of these media types as you can to convey your message and offer.

Using these marketing techniques are important for producing a positive ROI. In addition, be aware of your campaign timing. Even if all of the above criteria are met, your campaign could still fall short if you havent exposed your audience to the right message at the right time.

Review each of these steps before creating your next marketing campaign. Your marketing is only going to be successful if you set specific goals, segment your market, use key messages that resonate with your audience and create a compelling offer. I encourage you to experiment with different media to get your message across and deliver a winning campaign.