Plan your marketing project

Every time we start a new project, there are five questions that we ask every client. These pre-project questions help our clients to set specific and measurable goals which 910 West uses to prepare a detailed project plan. A few months after the project is complete, we follow-up with every client and ask five more questions. These post-project questions help us determine the success of the project and identify areas for improvement. Together these questionnaires make an excellent tool, for setting goals and measuring whether those goals are met. Try using our pre- and post-project questionnaires to help you plan your upcoming projects or assess the success of past endeavors. You will be surprised by the results!

Pre-project questions

Post-project questions

  1. What is my goal?

    Be sure to make this specific and measurable.
    Example: I want my website to attract 5 new prospects per month.

  2. What is my budget?

    No one likes talking about money but having a number in your mind helps to guide the scope and direction of the project. To make it easier, don’t worry about setting an exact price; instead set a price range.
    Example: For my website project, I plan to spend between $2,000 and $5,000.

  3. What is my timeframe?

    Just like me, you probably needed this project done yesterday but you still need to set a realistic due date for your project.
    Example: I would like to have my site launched in six to eight weeks.

  4. Do you plan to use existing marketing materials in this project?

    This includes anything you are currently using to promote your business: a logo, business cards, direct mail, ads, an existing website, or even promotional items like pens.
    Example: I want to adapt the text from my last postcard to my Home Page.

  5. Examples of similar pieces that you either love or hate.

    Doing a little research before meeting with you graphic designer is critical to communicating your needs and getting a final product that you love.
    Example: I love XYZ Competitors About Us page but hate the look of their Home Page.

  1. How has my business changed since I completed the project?

    List detailed examples of positive or negative changes you have seen.
    Example: I have more new clients than I can handle and my phone is ringing off the hook for appointments.

  2. How did the project contribute to those changes?

    Resist the temptation to get sloppy and actually track responses to the project. This can be as easy as asking a new client how they heard about you or saving all coupons redeemed.
    Example: 4 out of 5 of my new clients say the found me through the internet.

  3. Did I meet my goals?

    Look back to your pre-project plans and compare those numbers to your tracking data from question 2. Since you set specific, measurable goals at the project start, you should easily be able to tell whether you met your goal.
    Example: Based on my tracking, I am averaging 6 new clients per month, which exceeds my goal of 5.

  4. How can I get even better results?

    List which parts of the project that you are not happy with. Ask clients, family, friends, and mentors for their opinions. The more data you gather the better you can assess the project’s strengths and weaknesses.
    Example: Some clients have reported difficulty finding my services. I would like to list them directly on the home page to make that information easier to find.

  5. What is my next step?

    Take the list from question 4 and start planning for your next project: using our pre-project questionnaire of course!
    Example: If I move the services list to the home page, I will get an additional 2 prospects per month.
Download our pre-project worksheet (PDF) > Download our post-project worksheet (PDF) >