'Tis the season… for lights, sparkle, and a dash of strategic marketing!
‘Tis the season… We put some Christmas lights up outside our house this weekend!
A bit early? A little, but it made sense to string them up in readiness, given we already have plans for the next couple of weekends. It’s also an ideal time to review your marketing for the year ahead, to make sure it shines brightly and attracts the awareness, leads and sales you need for your business.
Here are 7 steps to help you give your business the gift of a strategic marketing plan:
🔧 Step 1: Untangle the Wires (Clarify Your Objectives)
Much like sorting through a bundle of tangled Christmas lights, begin by clarifying your marketing objectives. Identify the core marketing goals that will support your business’ objectives and illuminate your company’s path to success.
🌟 Step 2: Check for Burned-Out Bulbs (Evaluate Past Strategies)
Take a moment to review the marketing you’ve been doing. What worked and shined brightly? Which were the "burned-out bulbs" – ie campaigns or strategies that didn't quite glow as expected. Learning from the past ensures a brighter and more efficient future.
💡 Step 3: Choose the Right Lights (Select the Right Channels)
Just as you carefully select the type of lights to decorate your home, choose the marketing channels that align with the customers and types of sales you want… (do you want customers who love classic Christmas light displays or a home covered in brightly coloured lights and inflatable decorations?) Whether that’s social media, content marketing, events, direct mail or other methods, ensure they attract the attention that’s right for your business.
🎨 Step 4: Create a Dazzling Display (Craft Compelling Campaigns)
A beautifully lit home catches the eye. Compelling campaigns captivate your audience. Craft messaging, visuals, and storytelling that resonates with your target market and sets your brand apart.
📆 Step 5: Sparke strategically! (Plan Your Marketing Calendar)
Timing is everything! Just as you plan when to illuminate your Christmas lights, develop a schedule for your marketing. Map out key dates, events, and seasons to ensure your brand is shining bright when it matters most. Having a plan to follow means marketing activities are manageable, can be budgeted and more likely to be successful.
🔄 Step 6: Test the Lights (Monitor and Adjust)
Testing your lights before the grand reveal, ensures everything is in working order. Similarly, plan regular monitoring and analysis of your marketing efforts. Be ready to adjust your strategy based on real-time data and feedback to keep your brand shining brightly.
🎁 Step 7: Share the Joy (Engage Your Audience)
The true magic of Christmas lights is that they are shared with others. Effective marketing engages your customers and potential customers through meaningful interactions, fostering a sense of community, and building long-lasting relationships that extend beyond the holiday season.
🌏✨ Planning and illuminating your marketing will help to attract the right customers throughout the year ahead. May your campaigns be merry and bright!
#strategicmarketing #marketingplanning #ChristmasLightsMarketing 🎅🏽
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I’ve been helping manufacturers and B2B companies find their #StrategicSparkle for nearly 20 years. Feel free to DM me to arrange a no-obligation chat to explore how I can help you review your marketing and create a strategic plan that delivers impact, develops markets, and facilitates change.
Hannah Welch