What Is A Marketing Strategy? Why? When? and How to Simply

MarketingMarketing is a series of steps used to achieve a sales goal.... More is a term many of us hear long before we consider running a business. We may hear it so often, that we assume we know exactly what it is – until it comes time to define it… or a marketingMarketing is a series of steps used to achieve a sales goal.... More strategyA strategy is a customized process (or combination of proces... More.

So, is marketingMarketing is a series of steps used to achieve a sales goal.... More advertising? Is marketingMarketing is a series of steps used to achieve a sales goal.... More posting to social media? Is it the same as a marketingMarketing is a series of steps used to achieve a sales goal.... More strategyA strategy is a customized process (or combination of proces... More or salesSales is any set of activities related to selling products a... More tactics? In this article, we’ll learn about each term independently, then we’ll bring them together for clarity. 

A Marketing Process: Tactics v. Strategy 

MarketingMarketing is a series of steps used to achieve a sales goal.... More is much less complex than technology makes it seem. It’s just a process – a series of steps used to achieve a goal. In business, marketingMarketing is a series of steps used to achieve a sales goal.... More processes are typically used to achieve salesSales is any set of activities related to selling products a... More goals.  Without some form of marketingMarketing is a series of steps used to achieve a sales goal.... More, they are no salesSales is any set of activities related to selling products a... More but that doesn’t mean the marketingMarketing is a series of steps used to achieve a sales goal.... More process has to be a complicated one. Even a haphazard marketingMarketing is a series of steps used to achieve a sales goal.... More process can sell.

For example, a new business may do one or all of the following to sell its product or service:

• Network at events to find buyers
• Advertise in search engines to find employees
• Post on social media to build a community

The more processes, the more complicated, of course. So if this business chooses two of the above, it may have one marketingMarketing is a series of steps used to achieve a sales goal.... More process for networking and another for advertising its open positions. Then, ideally, each process would work together or “be integrated” to make salesSales is any set of activities related to selling products a... More easier for the internal team and external audience.

So, while investing in a marketingMarketing is a series of steps used to achieve a sales goal.... More strategyA strategy is a customized process (or combination of proces... More sets successful brands apart keeping campaigns simple keeps them manageable. This is essential for small businesses and startups with fewer resources to invest and it doesn’t mean a brand can’t be memorable. It simply means there’s more opportunity for creativity… and maybe a shorter timeline.

Nike’s “Just do it.” and Apple’s “Think Different” aren’t complex but they are well-researched to align each brand with their audience. Like all the best marketingMarketing is a series of steps used to achieve a sales goal.... More strategies, they build mutually beneficial relationships between the business and its audience with campaigns targeting anyone from customers to potential employees.

A Marketing Strategy: More Than A Plan 

A “strategyA strategy is a customized process (or combination of proces... More” is a customized process (again, there could be one or more) for a specific set of circumstances. So a marketingMarketing is a series of steps used to achieve a sales goal.... More strategyA strategy is a customized process (or combination of proces... More is simply a more detailed marketingMarketing is a series of steps used to achieve a sales goal.... More process. Every strategyA strategy is a customized process (or combination of proces... More is different but a complete marketingMarketing is a series of steps used to achieve a sales goal.... More strategyA strategy is a customized process (or combination of proces... More considers both internal and external factor such as marketingMarketing is a series of steps used to achieve a sales goal.... More or competitor research and team skills or availability. Independent executives, for example, typically rely too heavily on their own skillset forgetting to partner with others to combat larger competitors. Meanwhile, these larger competitors are forming even larger strategic partnerships.

Independent executives must consider why a process is being used, who is using it, when, where, and how before determining the execution. They must define both what to do and what not to do, to account for uncertainties, and lean on the unique benefits of their size and skill set. Value-based, authentic branding can achieve this while helping independent executives maintain a healthy work/life integration.

According to Richard Rumlet, a strategyA strategy is a customized process (or combination of proces... More requires three key elements:

1. A diagnosis that defines the challenge. In business, this means a fact-based understanding of the current state of the business and market. For independent executives, it means understanding our unique situation.
2. A guiding principle for dealing with the challenge that directs action while also ruling out other approaches. For independent executives, this typically means our business values.
3. A set of coherent actions to accomplish the policy to alleviate complexities. As independent executives, we want to keep these actions simple and manageable.

Simply put, a strategyA strategy is a customized process (or combination of proces... More defines a problem, clarifies a direction toward a solution, and outlines key actions toward that solution. A marketingMarketing is a series of steps used to achieve a sales goal.... More strategyA strategy is a customized process (or combination of proces... More defines a company’s challenges in reaching its goal and then clearly outlines achievable and measurable actions to take toward an ideal solution. It requires knowing the team, the market, and the best ways to use resources. It doesn’t have to be complex, but it should be thorough and tested. 

Start with a single asset on a single channel – a website or a LinkedIn profile, for example. Define the goal and any challenges in the way. Then outline clear, measurable steps to take toward that goal and block time in your calendar within the next week to start. Deadlines provide timeframes and enough time to plan around the next steps.

A Quick-Start Tip

Ready to master a marketingMarketing is a series of steps used to achieve a sales goal.... More strategyA strategy is a customized process (or combination of proces... More?

Start with a powerful brand strategyA strategy is a customized process (or combination of proces... More. Define your brand’s values, mission, vision, and purpose before deciding how to sell your product or service. Brand strategies that create impact guide marketingMarketing is a series of steps used to achieve a sales goal.... More strategies more effortlessly. Start by setting a S.M.A.R.T. goal with a deadline. Block as much time as you can and choose just one item – values, mission, purpose or vision. Then repeat until you’re done.

If you need help, schedule a short chat with us as early as tomorrow.