MKT 501 Strategic Marketing
Discussion: Marketing A Start-Up
(Part 1 )
Launching the Business and its Website
Throughout the class, you will develop a comprehensive marketing strategy for your US-based, local, for-profit small business that includes significant online components. Use of an existing business, franchise, or a non-profit organization is not permitted. Consider the unmet needs in your area (or a place you lived previously) in making your decision.
This classroom provides a unique opportunity to share with peers and a marketing professional to develop your ideas. While the business may not be real (yet), the research, application, and competitive analysis used in the class will be. Your business is ready to market; it is beyond the development phase and set to launch in the marketplace.
Module 1 Discussion Week 1 Resources
Business name generator — free company name ideas (2022)
How to Come up With a Business Name: A Creative Guide (2022)
Web Design Standards vs. Website Best Practices: Our Review of 500 Sites (2022)
11 Elements of Modern Website Design (2022)
All Eyes on Your Design: A Contemporary Guide to Website Imagery (2022)
Needs, Wants, and Goals (2022)
Positioning (2022)
Week 1 Discussion Post
Based on the resources provided and your research, introduce the new business.
- Explain why this business is needed in the chosen area. (Research Support Required)
Using a free program (like Wix.com Free Websites), create the first page of your website. When selecting a template, consider the “look” of your site; it speaks for the business and is a part of branding. Create a free business email that will be used for social media accounts produced during class. The following information is required:
- The company name
- Short description of what the business does
- Its location (city & state)
- One appropriate graphic/picture
- Email contact information
Publish it to a free wix.com domain. Include the link in your post.
NOTE: use FREE resources throughout class. You should not pay for a program or enter your credit card.
This post should be 2 paragraphs (150-200 words). Since you are engaging in research, cite in the body of the post and add a reference list in APA format. NOTE: failure to use research with accompanying in-text citations to support content will result in reduced scoring “Level 2-Developing” on the grading rubric.
(Part 2)
The Branding Effort
First part you read and provided critiques of business websites. Now you will focus on branding, which includes creating a logo using Wix.com Logo Design or another free program. You will write a tagline or slogan for the business.
Module 1 Discussion (Part 2) Resources
Branding (2022)
A How-To Guide for Logo Taglines and Slogans (2022)
Is a Brand Tagline Right for You? (2022)
A Guide To Business Slogans (2022)
Logo design for beginners (2022)
How to build your brand identity (2022)
Based on the resources provided and internet research, explain the importance of branding. Provide rationale for your new logo and slogan/tagline to support the brand-building effort. (Research Support Required)
- Add a slogan or tagline and logo to your website. Include the site link in your post.
This post should be 2 paragraphs (150-200 words). Since you are engaging in research, cite in the body of the post and add a reference list in APA format. NOTE: failure to use research with accompanying in-text citations to support content will result in reduced scoring “Level 2-Developing” on the grading rubric.
