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5 Tips for Creating Successful Marketing/Business & Public Relations Plans
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When it comes time for you to create your own marketing, business, and public relations plans, there are a few things you can take to heart. Whether you're just starting out, or just now getting around to creating these resources, these plans will be the blueprints for your future success.

5 Tips for Creating Successful Marketing/Business & Public Relations Plans:

1. Be Smart. Though all three plans will have a different "formal" structure to them, they should all encompass similar items, and be created in a similar fashion: an educated, researched, and thoughtful one. When you create your plan, do so with care. This is for you, and your success, so don't see it as a chore. Much like driving to an unknown location, a map (your plan) can be helpful in finding and directing you to your desired destination, whatever it may be. This process will, of course, also help you to establish if your desired destination is completely unattainable and far-fetched, but don't be afraid to be ambitious.
   
   
2. Be S.M.A.R.T. You may have read this online elsewhere, and even earlier on this blog, but it's worth repeating. When it comes time to create your objectives and strategies, really employ this point of view. (Avoiding this step will make the plan useless in and of itself, so if you don't plan on really taking the time to develop and create you strategies and tactics, I would highly recommend you hire a professional.) This acronym stands for Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic, and Time Bound. This follows from #1, in that you can create goals that are semi-lofty and hard to reach, but still within reach if you can find the right items to leverage yourself. Be aware of your limitations, and those of the universe, when creating your plans. Also be respectful of others that you plan depends on.
   
3. Be Comprehensive. Take a look at all areas of the plan that need to be created. When you create a plan for the first time, you need to go through the motions to ensure your plan is built for success. For example, if you create your budget first, you may find most of what you want to do in your plan far surpassing what you'd estimated. Similarly, if you create tactics without first creating strategies, you're drawing your own directions on your map that may or may not lead to your destination. (It's like following traffic, not knowing why, and hoping they're going where you need to go; try to avoid that.)
   
4. Get Feedback. If you need assistance in getting these created, then get some! There is a plethora of advice online, and even more available persons to come to your rescue! Find someone who knows PR and marketing; the two are very similar online, and when creating a marketing/business plan and PR plan, their advice can come in handy.
   
5. Maintain and Manage. There's nothing more detrimental to your success than leaving your PR/Marketing plans to fend for themselves. Coming back around to the car analogy, this is like beginning your journey and never filling the tank or checking the map to ensure you are still headed in the right direction. If you've gone through the trouble of creating your plan, take the time to monitor what's happening with the tactics/activities you've created. This can be most helpful when it comes time to create a new plan or revamp your existing one. Much like a vehicle, these plans do need to be replaced or repaired. Also similar to choosing a vehicle based on your needs, your PR plan can change dramatically based upon your goals and needs presently.

Lastly, be sure that you're paying attention! I can guess that driving with your eyes closed doesn't work out too well, so be aware of what's going on internally and externally in your environment. Your plans are the backbones of your activities; they help get the rest of the team on board, and they make sure you know why you're doing what you're doing. Really invest some time here, and talk with someone who knows a lot (or a little) about each area; some advice or feedback is better than none, especially when you've completed the plans.