The 1-Page Marketing Plan: Get New Customers, Make More Money, and Stand Out from the Crowd
Introduction
The 1-Page Marketing Plan by Allan Dib is a widely recommended read for small business owners and entrepreneurs who want to get serious about marketing without drowning in theory. Dib, an experienced entrepreneur and marketer, created this book to simplify marketing strategy into a clear, actionable format that can be completed in under an hour. It's become a popular starting point for founders, solopreneurs, and even agency clients looking for structure without overwhelm.
What to Expect
- First published in 2016, the book is still highly relevant, especially for service businesses and startups.
- At 228 pages, it’s a medium-length read with a strong how-to focus.
- The format is clearly step-by-step, divided into nine sections that map to a single-page framework.
- The tone is accessible, often informal, and sprinkled with real-world examples.
- It’s written for beginners but offers plenty of takeaways for intermediate marketers looking to sharpen their thinking.
Key Lessons
- Clarity beats complexity: You don’t need a hundred-page plan. The book walks you through capturing your entire strategy in one page, structured into stages: before, during, and after a customer buys.
- Targeting the right market: Dib stresses the importance of niche focus and messaging that speaks directly to your ideal customer, which is essential for SEO success and conversion.
- Creating compelling messaging: The book dives into how to craft a message that grabs attention and makes people want to buy — a crucial component of content marketing.
- Follow-up and conversion: A major emphasis is placed on building systems, especially email sequences and nurturing funnels, to convert leads into paying customers.
Who Should Read This
This book is ideal for solopreneurs, small business owners, coaches, consultants, and freelancers. If you’re building a business and need a full marketing system but don’t know where to start, this will give you a structure you can use immediately. It’s especially useful for those wearing multiple hats and short on time.
Comparison
Compared to Made to Stick or Building a StoryBrand, which focus more on branding and messaging theory, The 1-Page Marketing Plan is more tactical and focused on doing. If you're looking for a practical plan before investing in copywriters or agencies, this book is a strong fit.
Final Thoughts
This book earns its reputation as a no-nonsense guide to marketing. It’s not about buzzwords or trends, but about building a system that brings in customers consistently. For speed and clarity, it’s one of the best entry-level marketing reads out there.
Want to Read More?
Get your copy of The 1-Page Marketing Plan and start applying these strategies into action.