Marketing for a Small Business   

Effective marketing helps a small business reach the right customers, communicate its value, and compete in the marketplace. Marketing for a Small Business provides a practical introduction to the marketing principles and strategies entrepreneurs can use to promote their products or services and support business growth. 

Students will explore target markets, market research, competition, marketing budgets, and the development of a practical marketing plan. Through hands-on application, participants will learn how the marketing mix, SWOT analysis, pricing, location, and promotional strategies can be applied to a small business concept. 

This course is for: 

• Aspiring entrepreneurs developing a business idea 

• Current small business owners and operators 

• Individuals responsible for marketing a small business 

• Entrepreneurs looking to better understand their target customers 

• Professionals supporting small business marketing and operations 

• Anyone interested in developing practical marketing skills 

What You'll Learn: 

• Understand the role of marketing in a small business 

• Identify target markets and explore customer segmentation 

• Analyze competitors and conduct basic market research 

• Develop a marketing budget and consider marketing costs 

• Explore the key components of a small business marketing plan 

• Use SWOT analysis to evaluate a business and its market position 

• Apply the four Ps of marketing: product, promotion, price, and place 

• Develop product benefits, features, and a unique selling proposition 

• Explore pricing factors, including break-even considerations and price sensitivity 

• Evaluate location and promotional strategies and develop a practical startup action plan 

Course Format: 

• 15 hours of instruction, held across two Saturdays 

• Practical, small-business-focused learning 

• Application of marketing concepts to a business idea or concept 

• Focus on developing useful strategies and planning tools