According to the latest industry outlook, almost 80% of marketers agree that marketing has changed more in the last three years than in the previous 50. With so many changes, it's a challenge to keep up with the most important components of a solid marketing strategy. Fortunately, we have a few key tips to consider in your 12-month marketing strategy as you enter 2023.
1. Remain Flexible
While an annual plan is vital for growth and success, it isn't always set in stone (and shouldn't be!). Your marketing campaign timeline must always be flexible so you can pivot when necessary.
For instance, in 2019, every brand had 2020's digital marketing timeline laid out, but as we all know, most campaigns had to be flexible to pivot in another direction due to the pandemic’s circumstances. Those that weren't flexible had to delay their launch or scrap it entirely.
While 62% of people say that they know most brands mean well with their marketing creative, 68% add that they prefer ads that 'show regard of the current situation.' Things can change quickly, so don't develop a campaign that doesn't allow you to make adjustments.
2. Remember Past Failures
Looking at previous years can help you understand where improvements can be made. What were your lowest-performing tactics and why? Remember that just because something has always been done a certain way doesn't mean it needs to stay that way.
Instead, learn from your mistakes and build from your successes. Failures aren't the only teaching moments contributing to remarkable marketing in 2023. How you take your accomplishments and recreate them — without copying and pasting, of course — is also where the magic happens.
3. Perform a Situational Analysis
Situational analysis is a process that helps you to look at your business's strengths and opportunities from several different viewpoints, both internal and external.
These factors can include the following:
- Your industry
- Your company
- The economy
- Your target audience
- Your competitors, etc.
A prevalent method to consider when performing a situational analysis is SWOT — your strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats — which helps you determine the overall health of your brand. In return, you have a better understanding of your current situation and how marketing may be affected by it. It's easier to plan marketing when you know where your brand stands in the market.
4. Make Sure Marketing is "Always On"
Marketing is always continuous and consistent, so any small halt can send you back a few steps or put you behind the competition. This is where automation makes all the difference because consumer demand is constant, and marketing should be as well. Whether it’s from a CRM, social media, or email, there are so many ways to keep marketing always on with automation.
Here are some marketing automation examples:
- Abandoned cart reminders
- Re-engagement emails
- Text message offer alerts
According to some studies, marketing automation has been a game-changer, driving 14.5% increases in sales productivity on top of a 12.2% decrease in marketing overhead. If you want to benefit the most from your efforts, you can't let marketing slip, even for a day. There should always be some kind of outreach or activity to reach each stage of the funnel
CoxNext + Your Team = More Growth
Media partners, like CoxNext, already have extensive knowledge of the most popular platforms and how to use them. We also have exclusive insight into significant trends and the best tips for maximizing your potential as it relates to those ever-changing trends.
Even better, CoxNext isn't here to replace your team — only to elevate it! Don't just settle for 'good enough' in annual marketing. Prepare for the most growth you've experienced in a long time when you take your marketing to a whole new level. Reach out to CoxNext for marketing strategies that will be successful all year.
