Improve your knowledge of marketing with this in-depth Foundation Diploma In Marketing course
A flexible and unique qualification which through a select suite of studies will provide you with extensive knowledge of marketing and enable you to learn more about niche industries, such as agriculture, horticulture and marketing in leisure industries.
The course is suitable for anyone wanting to work within the marketing industry or improve your marketing skills in your existing job.
- Learn the core principles of marketing.
- Study niche marketing, such as horticulture, leisure and agriculture.
- Improve your career prospects by being able to offer niche industry knowledge in marketing.
- Study at home to fit around you and your life.
- Start the course at any time to suit you.
COURSE STRUCTURE AND CONTENT
Course Duration: 1000 hours.
Start Date: Start at any time - study at a pace that suits you, and with full tutor support for the duration of your studies.
Content: Study nine core modules and then choose one elective module.
The Core modules cover E commerce Marketing, Marketing for the Leisure Industry, Marketing Foundations, Marketing Psychology, Advertising and Promotions, Internet Marketing, Agricultural Marketing, Horticultural Marketing and Marketing Systems.
Then choose one elective from – Business Skills, Sales Skills, Starting a Small Business, Project Management or Professional Practice for Consultants.
HOW THE FOUNDATION DIPLOMA IS ASSESSED
The Foundation Diploma In Marketing requires approximately 1000 hours of study. It is made up of ten 100 hour modules.
To pass the course –
1. Pass all assignments on the ten 100 hour modules. There will be an assignment at the end of each lesson to submit to your tutor for marking and feedback.
2. Pass ten examinations – one on each module. These are usually taken at the end of the module and can be arranged at a time and location to suit you.
If you are not ready to study for the Foundation Diploma In Marketing, each of the modules can be studied as an individual course.
Do You Understand the Basic Principles of Marketing?
Understanding the basic principles of marketing is useful, particularly if you are not able to employ staff or consultants to help you with your marketing. When you start a new business, you may need to devise your own marketing strategies. The same can apply when your business is struggling. If you do not market your product or service, it is unlikely you will sell it, so it is best to understand the principles of marketing when you plan your marketing drive.
Target Marketing
A target market is a group of individuals within society that we aim our goods and services at. A target market may be based on age, class, gender, culture, status, financial status, education, or any number of other things.
Target marketing is therefore marketing that aims its message at a particular target group or market. For example, if you are selling a new range of teenage clothes, you would be best advised to market your products at the teenagers themselves, but also their parents (since they may be the ones who pay for the items, and whose ultimate approval you seek).
It follows that if you selling an expensive brand of teenage clothes, you should aim your marketing campaigns at the wealthy parents of teenagers who are willing to spend money on their children, as well as the teenagers of wealthy parents themselves.
It really depends on what you are selling as to who your target market is, but it is very important to know who makes up your market so you can target them appropriately. If you are selling teenage clothes and you spend all your money advertising in a local paper where the age demographic is for retired people, it is unlikely to do well. That may sound like a silly example, but you really must target your product at the people who will buy it.
Supply and Demand
Supply and demand is an economic model that determines the price of products and services in a particular market.
Supply is what you are selling.
Demand is who wants to buy your products.
There are four basic principles of supply and demand:
- Demand goes up and supply stays the same – then this shortage leads to a higher price for the product.
- Demand goes down and the supply stays the same – this surplus leads to a lower price for the product.
- Demand stays the same but supply increases – this surplus means the price will be lower.
- Demand stays the same but supply decreases – this shortage means a higher price for the product.
In the simplest terms – if there is not a lot of a product available AND people want to buy it, you will get a higher price and be more likely to sell it, than if there is a lot of a product and people want to buy it.
So, if you were selling antique books and you managed to get hold of a priceless first edition, there may be one thousand collectors around the world who want it and who are willing to pay a high price to get it. You will almost certainly get a very good price (so long as you market it well).
If you have a new novel to sell that is available online and in shops all around the world and one thousand people want to buy it, you may not be the one they buy it from. Your potential customers will probably shop around for a good price (though their choice will also be influenced by other factors like postage costs if applicable, whether it is in stock, how soon they can get it and their experience of your customer service).
If you have a product that is in relatively short supply and people want to buy it, you should be able to sell it well.
Obviously you may be selling products that a lot of other people are selling, so you need to make your product appear different and better than theirs (if possible) in order to increase the demand for YOUR product. Other ways to maximise your sales might be through improving your customer service, offering free postage, providing buyer discounts on future purchases, and so forth. Clearly, any financial incentives you offer need to be built into your costing.
Competition
Your competition is those businesses which sell the same or similar products or services to you. In the past, this would have been another shop in the same high street. For example, if you sold televisions, your competition might have been other TV shops in the same town or nearby.
Today, things are quite different. You will be in competition with other local shops, shops further afield (as people will now travel to purchase items), and also online retailers. Online retailers in other countries may be able to seriously undercut your prices. For instance, the cost of postage can vary considerably from country to country. Also, the cost of production and manufacture may be significantly cheaper for overseas retailers. This doesn't always mean that you will miss out on market share. Some equivalent types of goods purchased from overseas countries may be cheaper, but they may also be inferior. There are also quarantine restrictions on the types of materials which can be imported to most countries, as well as possible import duties and taxes which must be paid by the consumer.
It is essential that you are aware of all of your competition to ensure your product is competitively priced and attractively marketed.
WHY DO THIS COURSE?
Learn extensively about the processes and theories of marketing and apply these to studies in different industries - you will gain a broad understanding of marketing and a unique insight as to approaches in different industries.
Suitable for anyone working within the marketing industry and looking to move their career forward, for those looking to develop their own business, or for those looking to move into more specialised marketing roles.
WHAT NEXT?
Learn more about marketing. Understand more about marketing skills and the use of marketing in your industry.
Work at your own pace and learn more about marketing.
Improve your job prospects in the marketing industry or improve your marketing knowledge.
Any Questions?
Our tutors are more than happy to answer any questions, so please click here to ask a question.
Request a copy of our handbook here.