Marketing Strategy for Entrepreneurs from Coursera

You live a hands-on life, and you intend to continue doing so! That is why I guess you already have checked where the QR-code (the logo) for this course leads to, right?

And it is in this kind of setting that you prefer hands-on learning. Things you can do, already today are something you value.

You actually did not start this course when enrolling in it. You started it long ago, either as a customer somewhere, or just maybe thinking about marketing for some time. Or maybe you are already working in marketing for yourself or maybe your own company. In all these situations what matters is action. Action that contributes to your marketing journey.

This is the reason why we will start of with a situation “as if” you were starting up the sales process in a company where no previous customers existed. Gradually your sales efforts give results, you get customers, and handling the market expansion becomes important. If somewhat lucky, in practice that is the way it goes.

The course begins with the art of cold calling (attacking the ones that did not know you exist - the most tricky ones) and analyzing the potential customers, then gradually moves over to segmentation, positioning, closing the deal, competition, marketing strategy, and market expansion. It is normally in that order it develops in practice.

The curriculum includes general basic marketing theories as well modern digital marketing issues like onboarding, conversion, and retention, experimental marketing, and pivoting. The course includes a number of assignments to facilitate your learning – some of them compulsory. All of them are hopefully practically useful for you already today.

On one hand, this is a basic course. There is far more in this than we are able to cover here. But the Marketing Strategy for Entrepreneurs course will prepare you for some of the most common marketing and sales efforts needed for technology-based companies. Later on, you will learn more. Maybe here or somewhere else.

Hope you enjoy it. Good learning has to be fun! So if the course is not fun enough for you: Please let us know!

What's inside

Syllabus

"As if" this was a starting point

Sales – From cold calling to Facebook and Alibaba

Who are these customers and what do they actually want? Analysis – Customer insights and analytics

It is better to Skate to where the puck is going: Segmentation & positioning

Instead of the great plan that never will be executed: Experimental marketing and Pivoting techniques

Closing the deal and conversion – AIDA, not just an opera

Mass marketing vs. customization to be considered when...

Playing the market expansion game – The hockey stick phenomena

If no beginning then neither an end

Good to know

Know what's good

, what to watch for

, and possible dealbreakers

Appreciated by entrepreneurs seeking to develop marketing strategies for technology-based companies

Provides foundational knowledge in marketing and sales for those starting out

Suitable for individuals with limited understanding of marketing and related concepts

Offers practical assignments for immediate application

May require additional learning resources for advanced learners seeking in-depth knowledge

Reviews summary

Appreciated marketing course

Learners say this well-received and engaging course in Marketing Strategy is excellent. They appreciate the great instructor, practical learning, and relevant material. However, some note that the course is basic and that the peer-graded assignments could be improved.

Students largely enjoyed this course.

"Excellent."

"it's helps me a lot"

"it was truly exceptional learning experience"

"This is pleasure to learn this course"

The course offers practical learning and relevant material.

"helped me a lot to understand the way of doing marketing"

"Thank a lot for this incredible course"

"this course helped me a lot to understand marketing"

"It is true a good experience doing this."

The instructor is knowledgeable and engaging.

"Mr. Henrick made things simple to understand."

"Really helpful and interesting to learn with really good Professor"

"Never felt like being dragged."

The course is considered a bit basic.

"Good overview for people with no Knowledge."

"But each segment gives enough information to dive deeper if necessary."

The peer-graded assignments need improvement.

"The peer graded assignment in week 4 is impossible to handle"

"Peer-graded assessments were just a joke."

"More than rules for certain assignments in my opinion there should be just guidelines to follow and the only end result that matters should be the quality of whats written."

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Marketing Strategy for Entrepreneurs with these activities:

Review basic marketing concepts

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A quick review of basic marketing concepts will help you refresh your memory and ensure you have a strong foundation for the course material.

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Review your notes or textbooks from previous marketing courses.
Read articles or blog posts about basic marketing concepts.

Read 'Marketing Management' by Philip Kotler

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Provides a strong foundation in marketing management principles and concepts, which will be essential for understanding the course material.

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Read the introduction and first chapter to get an overview of the book's main arguments and structure.
Read each subsequent chapter, taking notes on key concepts and theories.
Complete the end-of-chapter questions and exercises to test your understanding.

Join a study group to discuss course concepts

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Study groups are a great way to reinforce your understanding of the course material and get feedback from your peers.

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Find a study group or create your own with other students taking the course.
Meet regularly to discuss the course material, ask questions, and work on assignments together.

Five other activities

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Follow tutorials on cold calling techniques

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Cold calling is a key skill for sales professionals, and these tutorials will provide practical guidance on how to improve your approach.

Browse courses on Cold Calling

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Search for and identify high-quality tutorials on cold calling techniques.
Watch the tutorials and take notes on key tips and strategies.
Practice applying the techniques in real-world situations.

Practice segmentation and targeting exercises

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Segmentation and targeting are essential for developing effective marketing strategies, and these exercises will provide opportunities to practice these skills.

Browse courses on Segmentation

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Collect data on a target market.
Use the data to identify different segments within the market.
Develop targeting strategies for each segment.

Create a marketing plan for a hypothetical product or service

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Developing a marketing plan will help you apply the concepts learned in the course to a real-world scenario.

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Identify a target market and define the product or service's value proposition.
Conduct market research to gather data on the target market and competition.
Develop marketing strategies to reach and engage the target market.
Create a budget and timeline for implementing the marketing plan.
Monitor the results of the marketing plan and make adjustments as needed.

Create a resource list of marketing tools and resources

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Creating a resource list of marketing tools and resources will help you stay up-to-date on the latest trends and best practices in the field.

Browse courses on Marketing Tools

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Identify and evaluate different marketing tools and resources.
Organize the resources into a list or database.
Share the list with other students or professionals in the field.

Contribute to an open-source marketing project

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Contributing to an open-source marketing project is a great way to gain practical experience and learn from others in the field.

Browse courses on Marketing Tools

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Identify an open-source marketing project that aligns with your interests.
Join the project community and learn about the project's goals and needs.
Identify a task or area where you can contribute your skills.
Make a contribution to the project and receive feedback from the community.

Career center

Learners who complete Marketing Strategy for Entrepreneurs will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Entrepreneur

An Entrepreneur is someone who starts and runs their own business. They may be responsible for all aspects of the business, from developing the business plan to marketing and sales. The Marketing Strategy for Entrepreneurs course can help you gain a better understanding of the different marketing strategies that can be used to start and grow your own business.

See salaries and explore the career path for Entrepreneur

Marketing Manager

A Marketing Manager is responsible for developing and executing marketing plans that will help a company achieve its business goals. They may also oversee the company's branding, advertising, and public relations efforts. The Marketing Strategy for Entrepreneurs course can help you gain a better understanding of the different marketing strategies that can be used to reach your target audience and achieve your business goals.

See salaries and explore the career path for Marketing Manager

Sales Manager

A Sales Manager is responsible for leading and motivating a team of sales representatives. They may also develop and implement sales strategies and oversee the sales process. The Marketing Strategy for Entrepreneurs course can help you gain a better understanding of the different marketing strategies that can be used to generate leads and close deals.

See salaries and explore the career path for Sales Manager

Marketing Analyst

A Marketing Analyst is responsible for collecting and analyzing data to help a company understand its customers and make better marketing decisions. They may also develop and implement marketing strategies and track the results of marketing campaigns. The Marketing Strategy for Entrepreneurs course can help you gain a better understanding of the different marketing strategies that can be used to collect and analyze data to make better marketing decisions.

See salaries and explore the career path for Marketing Analyst

Marketing Consultant

A Marketing Consultant is responsible for providing marketing advice to businesses. They may also develop and implement marketing strategies and track the results of marketing campaigns. The Marketing Strategy for Entrepreneurs course can help you gain a better understanding of the different marketing strategies that can be used to provide marketing advice to businesses.

See salaries and explore the career path for Marketing Consultant

Business Development Manager

A Business Development Manager is responsible for identifying and pursuing new business opportunities. They may also develop and implement strategies to grow the company's customer base. The Marketing Strategy for Entrepreneurs course can help you gain a better understanding of the different marketing strategies that can be used to attract new customers and grow your business.

See salaries and explore the career path for Business Development Manager

Market Researcher

A Market Researcher is responsible for conducting research to help a company understand its customers and make better marketing decisions. They may also develop and implement research strategies and track the results of research studies. The Marketing Strategy for Entrepreneurs course can help you gain a better understanding of the different marketing strategies that can be used to conduct research to understand your customers and make better marketing decisions.

See salaries and explore the career path for Market Researcher

Email Marketing Manager

An Email Marketing Manager is responsible for planning, developing, and executing email marketing campaigns. They may also manage the company's email list and track the results of email marketing campaigns. The Marketing Strategy for Entrepreneurs course can help you gain a better understanding of the different marketing strategies that can be used to plan, develop, and execute email marketing campaigns.

See salaries and explore the career path for Email Marketing Manager

Product Manager

A Product Manager is responsible for the planning, development, and launch of new products. They may also work with other departments to ensure that the product meets the needs of the customer. The Marketing Strategy for Entrepreneurs course can help you gain a better understanding of the different marketing strategies that can be used to launch a new product and generate demand.

See salaries and explore the career path for Product Manager

Public relations manager

A Public Relations Manager is responsible for managing a company's public image and reputation. They may also develop and implement public relations strategies and track the results of public relations campaigns. The Marketing Strategy for Entrepreneurs course can help you gain a better understanding of the different marketing strategies that can be used to manage a company's public image and reputation.

See salaries and explore the career path for Public relations manager

Social Media Manager

A Social Media Manager is responsible for developing and implementing social media strategies. They may also manage the company's social media accounts and track the results of social media campaigns. The Marketing Strategy for Entrepreneurs course can help you gain a better understanding of the different marketing strategies that can be used to develop and implement social media strategies.

See salaries and explore the career path for Social Media Manager

Content Marketer

A Content Marketer is responsible for creating and distributing content to attract and engage customers. They may also develop and implement content marketing strategies and track the results of content marketing campaigns. The Marketing Strategy for Entrepreneurs course can help you gain a better understanding of the different marketing strategies that can be used to create and distribute content to attract and engage customers.

See salaries and explore the career path for Content Marketer

Advertising Manager

An Advertising Manager is responsible for planning, developing, and executing advertising campaigns. They may also oversee the company's advertising budget and track the results of advertising campaigns. The Marketing Strategy for Entrepreneurs course can help you gain a better understanding of the different marketing strategies that can be used to plan, develop, and execute advertising campaigns.

See salaries and explore the career path for Advertising Manager

Search Engine Optimization (SEO) Specialist

A Search Engine Optimization (SEO) Specialist is responsible for optimizing a company's website for search engines. They may also develop and implement SEO strategies and track the results of SEO campaigns. The Marketing Strategy for Entrepreneurs course can help you gain a better understanding of the different marketing strategies that can be used to optimize a website for search engines.

See salaries and explore the career path for Search Engine Optimization (SEO) Specialist

Account Manager

An Account Manager plays a key role in developing and maintaining positive relationships with new and existing clients. They may also identify and pursue new business opportunities. The Marketing Strategy for Entrepreneurs course may be useful in helping you gain a better understanding of the different marketing strategies that can be used to attract and retain customers.

See salaries and explore the career path for Account Manager