Is your business due for an MOT?
Here we are, we are approaching the end of the first quarter of 2022. How did 2022 start for you?
Talking to our clients, quite a few have decided to review their marketing strategies and want us to create a simple-to-follow action plan that will allow them to give 2022 the right boost.
To make it easier, think of your strategies like an easy-to-follow Action Plan, where your vision, values, and USP are highlighted whilst also covering the actions that need to be taken and your duties and responsibilities.
Here is the secret. The most important thing is that you keep your marketing plan up to date, and you follow the proper consultation process. The right marketing strategy can support your business and make you grow organically.
You should have a bespoke marketing strategy that supports your vision and mission statement to ensure that your business is headed in the right direction, providing you with a bespoke plan that will sustainably enhance your competitive advantage.
Think of your business like your car; to make sure it runs properly, you should run regular checks but then once a year; you have to do a full MOT. The same should be applied to your business. The only other times we advise you to review your business before the 12 months are up to is when you add a new product or service, want to enter a new market or go through drastic structural, organisational changes.
So what does a good marketing strategy look like?
Understanding your business
Are you SMART?
Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic and Time-bound.
Let’s Bring the SWOT back.
The aim of marketing is to know and understand the customer so well
the product or service fits him and sells itself. — Peter F. Drucker
Who are your customers?
I know it seems like a silly question to ask, but more often than not, clients struggle to pinpoint who their target audience is.
Suppose you understand who your audience is, their behaviour and their pain and passion points. You will be able to target a message directly to them instead of becoming a drop in the ocean. In that case, it will allow your products or services to have a prime position in the market.
Get to know your Competitors.
Especially as a new business, you must run a competitor analysis to see what they are doing, how you compare and maybe even learn from them. Sometimes, a competitor can become a partner if you agree to professionally support each other.
With Digital Marketing, it is easier to look and learn from your competitors. We are not saying copying because you need to have your strategy and message. Knowing your competitors may give you the advantage to focus on some areas they neglect.
FINAL THOUGHTS:
- Know your business, your market and your audience.
- Know what’s working for you and what is not.
- If you have the right support, the rest will flow naturally.
- Like with most things, getting started is the hardest step.
- Getting help externally can be very beneficial for you.
- Having someone that can support you and guide you through the process can be pretty exciting.
- Last but by no means least Monitor, Evaluate and Review your campaigns regularly