The marketing portion of your business plan may not be the first section that bankers look at; however it is a very important one. Marketing is the key to the success of your business. Without it, every other aspect of your business can be excellent but they will produce no profits. When you create the marketing section of your business plan, you need to keep in mind that marketing is much more than just paid advertisements. You need to plan for a wide variety of ways to get your name out there.

In the interest of cutting costs where possible, plan for the free and almost free marketing opportunities first in your business plan. Make sure you include online local listings. Use social networks like Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn to create a following and spread news instantly. Create press releases and distribute them to both traditional newspapers and online publications. Do article marketing. Build an email list and send out a newsletter regularly. Create a blog.

Every effort you make to build the reputation of your business or to make a sale is marketing. By having a comprehensive plan in place for all the ways you are going to inexpensively promote your business, as well as the places you plan to purchase advertising, the marketing section of your business plan will show your thoroughness, ingenuity and your attention to finances and the latest trends.