In most cases, a marketing plan is included in a business plan. But there are instances where they are prepared separately. Either way, a marketing plan is necessary if you want to survive and grow your business. The right marketing plan identifies who your target customers are, how you will reach them, and how you will retain your customers so they repeatedly buy from you. Essentially, your marketing plan will be the plan you follow to get unlimited customers and dramatically improve the success of your organization. There are many guides and templates available on line. Here is a simple guide to help get you started.