With the end of the year rapidly approaching, it is important to get your marketing strategy in top shape so that you go into the holiday season and the new year with a plan in mind. Here are some strategies you can use to finish 2022 strong.
Review your goals, plans, and budget for 2022
The hallmark of any good marketing strategy begins with a good, long look in the mirror at what you have been doing. Which aspects of your current strategy are working? Which aren’t? It is important to regularly analyze your goals, especially as the year comes to a close. What were you hoping to accomplish this year, and did you accomplish it? If not, what steps can you take to reach your goals next year? Review your plan, adjust it, and ensure that you have the appropriate budget remaining to accomplish it.
Keep the holidays in mind
With the chaos of the holiday season, it can be a challenging time of year to get marketing done. However, the holidays can also be an extremely beneficial time to draw in new and existing customers by having content around fun holiday-themed topics, offering end-of-year promotions and/or sales, and giving out special offers that are only available to blog readers, social media followers, and/or email list subscribers.
Utilize social media
Social media is a great way to increase people’s awareness of your brand and to drive traffic to your website. It is a way to constantly remind existing and potential customers about your company, your products, and services, so that they have you top of mind when they are ready to purchase. Utilize hashtags on social media to reach a wider audience and attract new customers. It is important to post engaging content regularly, and also to mix up the type of content you post (pictures, videos, text, blog posts, infographics, podcasts, etc.). If you have the budget for it, many social media ads will allow you to target a specific audience that can draw in new customers based on demographic or location.
Utilize email marketing
Email marketing is still one of the best ways to keep your business in the forefront of people’s minds. Your emails will be going directly into the inboxes of people who have already expressed interest in your business and products/services. Be sure to send out a regular newsletter about your company as well as product/service updates, and send special promotional offers that are exclusive to your email subscribers.
Employ SEO strategy – Review your key words
Make SEO strategy at the top of your to do list to help your website stay at the top of the search engines. Optimizing your website with strong Titles and Descriptions for Google search will ensure that your business maintains credibility to existing customers, and draws in new visitors on a regular basis. Use Google Analytics to be follow up and ensure that your marketing strategy is working.
Diversify
Lastly, diversifying your marketing plan with different elements–tracking what works and what doesn’t work–will increase the likelihood of your plan’s overall success. Try different marketing channels and methods, and make note of what had the best success, so that you can adjust your plan accordingly for next year.
Review and plan for 2023
Looking back in the last quarter of the year and then forward to the new year will allow you to set your new strategy and stay organized with your marketing initiatives. Creating content and scheduling posts in advance is key so that you can focus on other areas of business during the holidays and beyond. If you’re overwhelmed, think about utilizing a marketing agency, (like MarketShare!) to help you come up with a content marketing plan that works best for your business and will help ensure success as you finish out the year.
Busy with end of year business and struggling to find the time to come up with a marketing plan for 2023? Ilene Greene and Ted Polmar and the team at MarketShare Communications can help! Contact us at 973-299-8001 or email info@marketsharecomm.com.
