CenturyLink, earlier known as CenturyTel, is a an integrated communication company that offers Internet access, broadband, and local and long-distance voice services. The company serves consumers and businesses in more than 30 U.S. states. It is formed by a merger between CenturyTel and EMBARQ. CenturyLink manages telephone access lines in Missouri, Wisconsin, Alabama, Arkansas and Washington. The company also provides local exchange carrier, satellite television and security monitoring services. It manages Madison River Communications Corporation. The company offers wholesale and retail fiber transport and high-bandwidth services. Its basic system packages include master control units, integrated digital keypads, and door and window transmitters and sensors. The company offers services under the LightCore and DISH Network brands. CenturyLink additionally provides home security evaluation services.  ...read more

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The likelihood of someone seeking out your business without some form of marketing is low. Yet spending thousands of dollars on ineffective marketing is unproductive and can cause your business to fail. To ensure your business's success, CEO Systems has developed a six-step process that will help you to create a marketing budget, determine your target demographic, and focus your efforts on the marketing outlets that will bring you leads. The six steps in this system include: Estimating your Projected Sales Estimating your Projected Operational Costs Calculating your Projected Revenue Creating a Monthly and Yearly Marketing Budget Determining your Target Demographic Creating a Marketing Plan Step One: Estimate your Projected SalesForecast all sources of projected income for your business. Remember to factor in monthly business growth and peak sales times. You can use the past year's sales statements to estimate these numbers. Create a high, middle, and low forecast. Your high sales forecast can be used as your sales goals and your low forecast should be used for budgeting purposes. Step Two: Estimate your Projected Operations CostYour operational costs include all fixed and variable expenses. Fixed costs are expenses that remain the same every month - for example, rent. A variable cost is an expense that changes each month. To estimate your variable costs, look at the previous year's expenses and make an educated forecast. Create a high, middle, and low forecast for all variable expenses. Step Three: Calculate your Projected RevenueProjected Sales - Projected Operations Cost = Projected Revenue Projected revenue is the calculated forecast of your profit or loss. Some reports will indicate this as net income. To help you easily calculate your projected revenue, CEO Systems has developed an Excel "Business Budgeting" spreadsheet for you to tailor to your organization. To download this easy-to-use worksheet,click here. Step Four: Create a Monthly and Yearly Marketing BudgetYour marketing budget will be used to cover all of your promotional expenses. 1. Using your lowest forecasted sales, costs, and revenue numbers, determine what percentage of income can be allocated to your marketing budget on a monthly and yearly basis. If your business is seasonal, anticipate the amount of money that you will need to set aside to cover your marketing expenses in the slower months. 2. Distribute your budget into different marketing and advertising categories. Categories may include: Website, Including Search Engine Optimization and Online Promotions Printed Materials: Business Cards, Promotional Fliers and Brochures Banner and Trade Show Presentation Items Advertising, such as Radio and TV Commercials, Billboard Signage: Storefront, Vehicle, Yard Signs, etc. Professional Memberships and Networking Meeting Costs Step Five: Determine Your Target DemographicHave your target market established before you invest money into marketing and advertising. To help you determine who your target clients are, we have created the worksheet"Questions to consider when establishing your target demographic."CEO Systems recommends spending thirty minutes working through this questionnaire to ensure that you have a clear understanding of your target demographic. Step Six: Create a Marketing PlanA successful marketing plan utilizes various forms of media and marketing to reach your target audience. Use your marketing budget and the information that you obtained from researching your target demographic to choose the best marketing strategies for your business. Remember to calculate all of the costs involved with every marketing method that you choose. For example, when calculating the expense of participating in a trade show, include the trade show fee, the cost of printed material, the cost of promotional material such as pens and buttons, and employee wages to occupy the booth. To help you determine the best marketing strategies for your business, we have created the document"16 Ways to Generate Leads for your Business."Pick three or four items from this list, determine the costs involved, and write out a plan on how you will use these avenues to generate leads. We encourage you to try several different strategies, survey your customers to find out which ones were the most effective, and then concentrate your money and efforts towards the ones that work the best. By following this system, you can create an effective marketing budget and strategy that will ensure that your business is a success. It is important to consistently update your marketing budget and strategy based upon your revenue and the forms of marketing that bring you clients that make a purchase. This will ensure that your money is not wasted and your efforts are successful. © Copyright 2010 CEO Systems. All Rights Reserved. Unauthorized use or reproduction is prohibited.  ...read more