Strategy - don’t let it overwhelm you…

Strategy. Without it, you’re just flying blind.

Whether you're eager, or just drowning, it's easy to dive in head first with your long 'to-do' list, and neglect the most important step of all.

How can you tell if you are positioning yourself correctly in the market? Using language and tactics that best resonate with your target audience? Ensure you aren’t missing opportunities?

The thought of it is overwhelming, but here is what I recommend you include in your strategy…

• Key messages - what do you want your business to say?

• Marketing look and feel - this will form its identity

• Personas - your key target audiences, know who you are talking to

• Competitor Analysis - this will help you form your points of difference

• Social media platforms - who is best for your target audience?

• Social media organic content ideas - see blog ‘Top 4 content types for social media’ for inspiration

• Social media ad targeting - this is where your personas will help

• Social media ad content - this is where your key messages are key!

• EDM’s - if you have a database, EDMs are a must-have in your strategy

• Google adwords - is your audience likely to search for you?

• Print and traditional marketing - do you have a physical presence out there in the market?

• Website - what are the key pages and content you would need to convince someone to use you?

• SEO recommendations - what keywords will be searched is association with your business?

• Any other marketing opportunities - have something else that comes to mind? Even if its an early seed of an idea, include it!

A strategy will help you move forward with confidence, and give your business a solid foundation on which it can grow (and hopefully thrive!).

…and if you are still feeling a bit lost, holla at me, this is what I’m here for.