A new year, a new you…and a new business…and a new plan. New Year’s resolutions are meant to be created to help revive what is lacking, to create a plan, and to achieve that plan. While more than 40% people create New Year’s resolutions (with the solid intent of actually committing to them and fulfilling them), only about 8% actually achieve them.
Individuals who make resolutions are 10 times more likely to achieve their goals than individuals who don’t commit to resolutions.
This is no different for businesses. Businesses can get away from us, just like certain areas in our personal life, and this is especially true with marketing plans. But, sometimes it’s just good to refresh our plan to meet the needs of our business by using new marketing tactics to bring in new customer (and sales).
In order to know where you want to go, you have to know what the industry trends are, what your customers are using and viewing, and where you want to be. Here are a few ideas that may be worthwhile for your business to help you start the New Year strong.
Give Your Website A Facelift
When was the last time you revamped your business website? Is it user-friendly? Is it mobile-friendly? Does it really convey the message you want for your customers? It may be time to give your website a facelift and add some additional features, such as being able to take coupons or discounts through your checkout, or add a blog to your website that you can share across your social media accounts. Creating a mobile-friendly website is critical, especially with just over 17% of consumers accessing websites on their mobile devices.
Build (or Refresh) Your Content Strategy
Content is king these days, especially with everything that can be shared in the matter of seconds across the world. What does your current content convey about your brand and your company? Could it be better, clearer, more efficient? Is it outdated? Starting the New Year right with fresh, new content can help drive sales! If you’re not sure where to start or what else could be done, Sur-Ryl-Marketing can certainly help out.
Create Customer Personas
Tailoring your marketing strategy to a specific audience will increase sales and your overall marketing effort effectiveness. If you’re not sure who your target market is, some research will need to be done. Look at industry trends, customer behaviors, and who your specific customers are. Talk to your customers as well. They’ll usually tell you what social media sites they’re on, where they look for business, and how they interact with businesses like yours.
Revamp Your Social Media Strategy
What would marketing be these days without mentioning social media? Social media is a key factor in getting information, marketing messages, and spreading the word about your business. Take a look at whether you’re spending enough time on the right social media sites, and if your brand is really getting noticed.
Take An Honest Assessment
If it isn’t broke, don’t fix it. There may be some marketing tactics that you employed last year that worked extremely well for your business. Don’t discard these. Instead, work them into your new marketing plan (at least until they don’t work anymore).
Be Flexible
A marketing plan is just that – a plan. Nothing is set in stone, unless you’ve purchased a full-page ad in the NY Times for a year (please don’t do that!). Be willing and able to be flexible. You might try something new and find out that it doesn’t work at all. Change it! Have many, many ideas about what you would like to do with your marketing for the New Year, but set a few aside as a backup. Who knows, you may have great success and may not need to use them.