How to Sell a Marketing Idea
Whether you're a marketing consultant or work in your company's marketing department, the time will come when you need to sell someone on a great marketing idea. Being prepared will increase your chance of success. There's nothing worse than coming to a marketing pitch meeting unprepared. It's unprofessional and it shows. If you want to be taken serious and get your marketing idea accepted by your boss or your client, dedicate the time necessary to do it right.
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Instructions
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Developing Your Idea
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1
Write a few paragraphs explaining your marketing idea, including questions that need to be answered before you present it.
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2
Answer those questions raised in Step 1. They'll likely include things like "what's the budget for this idea," "how long will it take to see success," and "who will need to be involved?"
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3
List the benefits of the idea. Discuss in detail how it will help you, or the the company you work for, achieve your goals. Make sure you know what those goals are; the better you can quantify success using metrics, the better your chances of getting your idea approved.
Time for Research
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4
Conduct research to answer questions not previously answered. Some answers, such as specifics on the budget, you can get by asking others at the company. Other answers, such as demographics, similar marketing campaigns and statistics, you can search for online.
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5
Compile your research into useful information. The better you can back up your idea as a viable one, the more your team will approve.
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6
Make a list of the questions you couldn't answer. Prepare a response, should your team ask the questions, so that you don't have to reply "I don't know." A better answer is "we're working to get an answer on that."
Preparing a Presentation
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7
Prepare a formal PowerPoint presentation or just a one-page document, as long as you must have something to pitch your marketing idea. Outline what your idea covers, including benefits and research.
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8
Ask a colleague to review the presentation and give feedback on clarity, details and grammar. Make any changes necessary and review again.
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9
Schedule a meeting with the people to whom you will be presenting your idea. Allot enough time for questions.
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10
If your presentation is formal, practice giving your pitch. Try to anticipate any questions or objections that may arise, and have answers ready beforehand.
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1
Tips & Warnings
Prepare as much as possible beforehand. Going into a marketing strategy meeting unprepared will not help you sell your idea.
Don't be afraid of your audience. They will present difficult questions and scenarios. Answer them to the best of your ability.
