Classified Ad ==> Website (Point of Sale)

More complicated plans might need more steps:

Classified Ad ==> Website (More Information) ==> Phone Call (Point of Sale)

Sales Letter ==> Follow-up Letter ==> Website (Point of Sale)

Classified Ad ==> Autoresponder ==> Website (Point of Sale)

In any case, these simple charts you create should help you keep track of purpose and nature of each part of your plan.

* Remember that your different steps will have different goals. For instance, your "point of sale" has your ultimate goal (the sale), so that is where you need to be your most persuasive. Therefore, you need to make sure that copy and information you have here is rock-solid. After all, this is foundation of your entire system, and if copy here is weak, entire process will fail.

As for you other steps, remember that they are NOT there to make sale by themselves -- rather, they are intended to either get customer to go to point of sale, or to "prepare" customer for final sales pitch.

Having a well-thought-out marketing plan is an important step in making your e-business a success. As always, realize that these tips are in no way comprehensive -- instead, they are just a few initial thoughts on how to make sure that everything you do, advertising-wise, fits into a larger marketing system. That way, you can maximize effectiveness of your marketing attempts, which will help save time, money, and sanity!

For instance, if you’re just not comfortable writing ads and marketing online, then QUIT! But only AFTER you’ve made sure that you’ve given it your best shot.

I mean, if you have diligently studied copywriting and marketing techniques and APPLIED what you’ve learned, and if it still gel—if it is obvious that you don’t have a natural aptitude for it, THEN quit. But be absolutely sure that you’ve exhausted every avenue and every resource.

Rule of thumb: if you haven’t made it in online marketing after doing it DILIGENTLY (daily for several hours) for at least a year, then don’t waste any more time. Because no matter what product is that you're advertising and marketing—it is all about writing highly persuasive ads and marketing effectively, consistently, and persistently. If you are unwilling to do that, forget it!