Free Marketing SOP Templates, Examples, and Samples

By Joe Weller | November 16, 2023

Use these free marketing SOP templates to help your team work and collaborate more consistently and effectively. Marketing, human resources, operations, and other executives use these templates to increase efficiency, stay on brand, and much more.

Included on this page, you’ll find a digital marketing SOP template. You’ll also learn about marketing and sales SOP examples, key marketing SOP elements, how to write a marketing SOP, and the benefits of marketing SOPs.

Marketing SOP Template

Marketing SOP Example Template Marketing SOP Example Template

Download a Sample Marketing SOP Template for
Microsoft Word | Adobe PDF | Google Docs

Download a Blank Marketing SOP Template for
Microsoft Word | Adobe PDF | Google Docs

This marketing SOP template, available with or without sample data, enumerates and simplifies procedures so that you can guide your marketing team more effectively. The procedure table features a checklist column, allowing you to mark in real time the process steps you’ve completed. Use this template to list the approval dates, descriptions, scope, keyword definitions, resources, and authors, all to update the SOP version history. In the purpose section, summarize what this SOP seeks to accomplish.

This collection of free SOP templates will help you explain and formalize your business processes and workflows.

Digital Marketing SOP Template

Digital Marketing SOP Example Template

Download a Sample Digital Marketing SOP Template for
Microsoft Word | Adobe PDF | Google Docs

Download a Blank Digital Marketing SOP Template for
Microsoft Word | Adobe PDF | Google Docs

This marketing SOP template, downloadable with or without sample data, outlines procedures for content, email, search engine optimization, and other elements of digital marketing. This template's flowchart helps you visualize a digital marketing workflow for your team. In the procedure table’s checklist column, you can document the step-by-step process. Detail the SOP's version history, purpose, scope, resources, and more with this comprehensive digital marketing template. 

Check out these free project management office templates to document and standardize project and portfolio management processes. 

Review the policies and procedures how-to guide to learn more about researching, writing, and reviewing policies, procedures, and work instructions for your business.

Marketing and Sales SOP Examples

Marketing SOPs are documents that outline tasks for specific marketing content, parts of a campaign, or a project. SOPs help you ensure that your marketing procedures are efficient, uniform, and consistent, so you can expect a successful outcome.

Marketing SOP Examples

Review the following examples for guidance on marketing SOPs: 

Digital Marketing SOP for Social Media Example
Purpose:
This SOP details the process for social media posting, so you can build brand awareness, as well as increase sales and engagement.
Scope: This SOP applies to marketing team members who are responsible for social media posts.
Procedure:

  • Generate marketing campaign ideas.
  • Identify internal or external content to promote.
  • Create a posting calendar.
  • Write messages and insert images.
  • Submit messages for approval.
  • Schedule posts.
  • Create post awareness.
  • Monitor reactions and engagement.
  • Gather data and assess performance.
  • Identify lessons learned for future campaigns.

Resources:

  • Style guide

Marketing SOP for Market Research Analysis
Purpose:
This SOP helps you ensure that your market research processes are accurate, consistent, and reliable.Scope: This SOP applies to team members who conduct market research analysis.

Procedure:

  • Define your market research objectives.
  • Identify the target audience.
  • Select your market research methods.
  • Gather and organize your market data.
  • Analyze the market data to find conclusions.
  • Make adjustments to the market database.

Resources:

  • Competitor intelligence
  • Predictive analytics
  • Social media monitoring

Sales SOP Examples

Review the following examples for guidance on sales SOPs:

Sales SOP for New Client Acquisition
Purpose:
This SOP outlines steps for your sales team to gain new clients.
Scope: This SOP applies to sales team members who are focused on acquiring new clients.
Procedure:

  • Research a list of potential clients.
  • Find their contact email addresses.
  • Introduce yourself and detail your product’s benefits via email.
  • Schedule a virtual meeting for each reply you receive.
  • After a successful meeting, forward the new client’s information to the sales manager.

Resources:

  • Client list
  • Email style guide
  • Virtual meeting guidelines

Sales SOP for Cold Calling Scripts
Purpose: This SOP standardizes the cold calling process to improve sales pitch effectiveness.
Scope: This SOP applies to sales team members who are tasked with cold calling.
Procedure:

  • Research prospective client needs and how your product or service can benefit them.
  • Prepare talking points that are aligned with your sales strategy.
  • Make the call to introduce yourself and the brand.
  • Make a sales pitch that addresses the client's needs.
  • Document the call's outcome in your customer relationship management (CRM) system and note any necessary follow-up.

Resources:

  • CRM asynchronous workflows
  • Sales process and pitch guidelines

Elements in a Marketing SOP Template

A marketing SOP typically includes sections for the title, ID number, purpose, keywords and definitions, scope, procedure, and resources. Marketing SOP elements are detailed and practical.

 A marketing SOP typically includes the following sections in this order:

  • Title: Enter the name that identifies the marketing process being standardized.
  • Identification: List the SOP's ID number and version. This section might include a version history with dates, authors, and approvals.
  • Purpose: Summarize what the SOP explains.
  • Keywords and Definitions: Define relevant and valuable keywords in order to clarify these terms for your marketing team members.
  • Scope: Define the parameters of the SOP both content-wise and staff-wise.
  • Procedure: List each process step by step and in detail. You might document the workflow procedure in a flowchart.
  • Resources: Identify the resources that team members need in order to complete the procedure successfully.

How to Write a Marketing SOP

When writing a marketing SOP, first create a list of marketing processes. Next, determine the scope and audience. Research and write the procedure steps. Implement the SOP with a completed template. Finally, make sure the SOP is accurate and updated.

 Follow these steps for writing a comprehensive marketing SOP: 

  1. Create a List of Marketing Processes: Select which marketing activities require an SOP. Next, prioritize the SOPs based on need.
  2. Consider the Scope and Audience: Determine which task, department, and team members will execute the SOP. Consider your audience's level of experience. Less experienced users might need a longer, more detailed SOP.
  3. Research and Write the Procedure Steps: Consult experienced team members and experts for accuracy and editorial feedback. Make sure to include a step-by-step list or flowchart of all the procedure’s tasks.
  4. Complete a Marketing SOP Template and Implement It: When your marketing SOP is complete, download a marketing SOP template. Fill it out and proofread it for errors. Make any corrections and implement the SOP.
  5. Update the SOP: Revise the SOP to ensure that your users have accurate information when they complete their marketing tasks. Your marketing SOP updates should meet organizational needs and address marketing changes.

Read this standard operating procedures how-to guide to get step-by-step instructions and expert tips for understanding and creating SOPs.

Benefits of Marketing SOPs

Marketing SOPs help you maintain consistency among your marketing activities. They outline the necessary steps for keeping marketing campaigns on brand and on message. These operating procedures reduce errors, increase efficiency, and save time.

 Here are some of the benefits of using marketing SOPs: 

  • Enable marketing teams to expand while also maintaining productivity and quality.
  • Ensure that marketing processes are uninterrupted and completed on schedule.
  • Guide marketing teams, promote collaboration, and simplify the process of onboarding new team members.
  • Reduce errors, improve efficiency, and save time.
  • Standardize and streamline workflows, ensuring consistency across marketing tasks, campaigns, and projects.

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