Extension program will help small businesses create marketing plan

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. - Purdue Extension will present a program that provides insight for small businesses wanting to develop a marketing plan so they can improve profitability through targeted sales.

The March 28 workshop at the Parke County Fairgrounds, 1472 N. U.S. 41 in Rockville, will be for entrepreneurs and owners of small businesses desiring to focus on marketing and sales outreach. It will run from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.

The workshop will provide value to startup businesses as well as more tenured operations, said Joan Fulton, a Purdue University agricultural economist who will direct the event.

The workshop will assist participants in creating a marketing action plan, or MAP. Following each of Fulton's marketing vignettes, participants will complete each aspect of a marketing plan.

"At the end of the day, participants will walk away with their MAP and be energized to engage new customers and retain existing ones," Fulton said.

Lunch will feature an in-depth interview of a local business owner who will share experiences in marketing.

Fulton has conducted the workshop with a wide variety of clients, including a log-home builder, a freezer beef operation and a farm equipment repair shop, with all saying it has provided them with ideas and skills they could use immediately to improve their business.

"The main prerequisite is to have a passion for your business idea and the interest to learn how to target your sales efforts and not 'sell to everyone,'" Fulton said.

A registration fee of $20 includes lunch and workbook materials. A second business affiliate can attend and share materials for $10. Seating is limited, with reservations required by March 24.

For reservations, contact Purdue Extension's Parke County office at 765-569-3176. For questions regarding program content, contact Jim Luzar at mailto:luzar@purdue.edu at the same office. 

Writer: Keith Robinson, 765-494-2722, robins89@purdue.edu 

Source: Joan Fulton, 765-494-0594, fultonj@purdue.edu

Agricultural Communications: (765) 494-2722;
Keith Robinson, robins89@purdue.edu
Agriculture News Page