SIMPLE STEPS 3 -- The Marketing Plan 

Learn how to do it—whether to do it—from mentors who've been there.

SCORE's 5-workshop program gives you a practical overview of the fundamentals required to start a small business. Proven practices. Sound advice. Experienced and successful entrepreneurs themselves, our trained instructors will guide you through the first important steps. And, the first workshop is free. Attend any or all of the five, 2-hour workshops over the course of a couple of months. You'll gain:

• Knowledge of the fundamentals you need to start a small business
• Perspective from mentors who've been there and can see what you don't see
• The peace of mind and confidence that come from knowing you've thought through everything

Program Overview

Workshop 1 (held March 6):  Start-up Basics
SCORE breaks down what could be an overwhelming task into manageable pieces, focuses on the essentials and provides specific action steps to get you started.

Workshop 2 (held March 20): 
Questions You Need to Ask Before You Start a Business
This 2 hour workshop will focus on those questions necessary to answer before investing $1 in a new business.  To do otherwise will put you in harm's way.  It will also give you a roadmap from business concept or idea to writing a business plan.

Workshop 3 (this session):  The Marketing Plan
In this introduction to marketing communications you will learn:

• How to maximize your customer reach
• How to outline and execute a marketing strategy 
• How test your marketing message
• How to choose the right sales channels
• Different marketing and pricing strategies
• Positioning
• The difference between features and benefits.

Workshop 4:  Financial Projections
Through hands-on instruction, learn how to forecast sales revenue and build solid, pro-forma financial forecasts. Discuss sales and prices, financial risks and rewards, true start-up costs, ongoing operating expenses, setting benchmarks for tracking progress and organizing all of your financial information.

Workshop 5:  Funding Sources
How will you finance your business? Learn about sources of funds, accounting the six Cs of credit, banking relations, ratio analysis, and monthly preparation and review of financial statements. Hear directly from a bank loan officer how banks assess the merits of business plans and loan applications.

Seminar Fees:
This Workshop $19 with online pre-registration, $29 for walk-ins.

There is a $10 discount on all Student and SEAP registrations
(valid ID must be presented at the door)

Additional sessions, each $19 with online pre-registration, $29 for walk-ins.
            Workshop 4 April 24 – Financial Projections
            Workshop 5 May 5  – Funding Your Venture