GRADE 8 Pre-technical ENTREPRENEURSHIP – MARKETING GOODS AND SERVICES Notes
ENTREPRENEURSHIP — Pre-technical
Subtopic: MARKETING GOODS AND SERVICES
For learners aged about 13 — Kenyan context. Simple ideas to help you sell well and make customers happy.
What is marketing? 🤝
Marketing means telling people about your goods or services and making them want to buy. It is everything you do to get your product to the right customer at the right time and price.
Why is marketing important?
- Helps customers know your product (e.g., mandazi, airtime, tailoring).
- Increases sales and profit — more customers buy from you.
- Makes your business stand out from others in the market.
- Builds trust so customers come back (repeat business).
The 4 Ps of Marketing (easy way to remember)
Product
What you sell. Make it useful, safe and neat. Example: fresh chapati, clean school uniforms, phone bundles.
What you sell. Make it useful, safe and neat. Example: fresh chapati, clean school uniforms, phone bundles.
Price
The amount customers pay. Think about cost, profit and what customers can afford. Use discounts for students!
The amount customers pay. Think about cost, profit and what customers can afford. Use discounts for students!
Place
Where you sell: market stall, school kiosk, roadside, online (WhatsApp, Facebook, Jumia). Be where customers are.
Where you sell: market stall, school kiosk, roadside, online (WhatsApp, Facebook, Jumia). Be where customers are.
Promotion
How you tell people: posters, word-of-mouth, small flyers, phone messages, social media, school announcements.
How you tell people: posters, word-of-mouth, small flyers, phone messages, social media, school announcements.
Kenyan examples — small ideas
- Sell fresh fruit at a school gate — show priced baskets and say what is ripe today 🍎.
- Make a simple poster with price and phone number, then share on WhatsApp groups.
- Offer M-Pesa pay option — many customers prefer to pay by M-Pesa or cash.
- Set up a neat display: cloth on table, labelled prices, small samples (taste sample for food).
Simple 6-step Marketing Plan (for a small business)
- Choose product/service (what will you sell?)
- Know customers (students, neighbours, market shoppers)
- Decide price (cover cost + small profit)
- Pick a place (school, market, home stall, online)
- Promote (poster, tell friends, post on social media)
- Deliver and get paid (use M-Pesa, give correct change, be polite)
How a customer buys — quick picture
See product 👀
→
Ask price 💬
→
Pay (cash/M-Pesa) 💸
→
Happy customer 🙂
Good customer service — short tips
- Smile and greet customers.
- Listen to what they want — sometimes they want less or cheaper packs.
- If product is wrong, fix it quickly (refund or exchange).
- Keep promises (deliver on time; use correct price).
Safety and rules (important!)
- If selling food, keep it clean. Wash hands and cover food.
- Ask adults about county permits if opening a shop or stall.
- Do not sell dangerous items (chemicals, sharp tools) without adult help.
- Be aware of school rules before selling on school grounds.
Class activity (20–30 minutes)
- In groups, choose a product to sell (e.g., cookies, sodas, bookmarks).
- Make a short poster on paper: name, price, 1 selling point (e.g., "Fresh & sweet!").
- Role-play: one student is seller, another is customer. Practice greeting and giving change.
Quick quiz — try these
- What are the 4 Ps of marketing?
- Name two places where a small Kenyan business can sell goods.
- Give one good way to promote a school business.
- Why is keeping food clean important when selling?
Answers (click to view)
- Product, Price, Place, Promotion.
- Examples: market stall, school kiosk, roadside stall, online (WhatsApp/Facebook), local shop.
- Make a poster/flyer, tell friends, post on WhatsApp groups, do a small free sample tasting.
- To avoid food poisoning and keep customers healthy and coming back.
Final tips
- Start small, learn from customers, then grow.
- Keep track of money — small record book works well.
- Be honest and polite — reputation matters in every Kenyan market.
Ready to try marketing your own small business? Be creative and be kind to your customers!