Whether you are starting a new business or looking to grow your existing business, the way you market your product can have a massive impact on your ability to survive and grow.

Most tourism businesses are presented with a wide variety advertising opportunities, through wholesalers, newspapers, magazines, television, guide books and directories to name just a few. In addition to these there are other marketing tools which you can organise for yourself. These include brochure production, building a website, visiting booking agents and issuing press releases. It can be quite a challenge to make decisions on which tools are likely to be the most effective.

To ensure your make the most effective use of your marketing dollar, you should put together a marketing plan, this will help you think through the myriad of marketing opportunities and allocate your budget in an effective manner.

There are a number of "How To" marketing guides on this website and on others, to help you implement your marketing activities. Also, there are details of a range of short courses available to help you understand the basic principles of marketing. It is worth checking what subsidies and grants are available to help you pay for certain marketing initiatives. You may also wish to seek assistance or find a mentor to help you in your marketing planning and implementation.

Tourism Western Australia has produced a very useful Tourism Marketing Guide (Click on the 'Tourism Marketing Guide' PDF link) which takes you through an overview of the tourism industry and the marketing planning process.

The Tasmanian Department of Economic Development offers a guide examining what's involved in marketing a business (Click on the link 'Marketing your Business' under Marketing), including a section on how to prepare a marketing plan.

The Department for State and Regional Development (NSW) offers nine steps for marketing and sales.

The Northern Territory Government offers an easy to read Marketing Information Sheet with interesting things to think about when planning your marketing.

The Small Business Development Corporation (WA) offers detailed information about marketing and advertising.

www.business.gov.au provides links off to various small business development websites for marketing guides and details.