1. Look Back Before You Leap Forward
Before you dive into next year’s goals, take a good look at what went down this year. What worked well? What missed the mark? Pull out your data and ask yourself:
• Which platforms or channels delivered the most value?
• What content really hit home with your audience?
• Where did we struggle, and why?
2. Use the SMART Goal Framework
When setting goals, the SMART framework is your best friend:
- Specific: Get clear on exactly what you want to achieve. Instead of saying, “Let’s get more traffic,” aim for “Increase website traffic by 15% in Q1.”
- Measurable: Make sure you have a way to track progress with real numbers.
- Achievable: Be realistic based on your resources and time.
- Relevant: Goals should align with your overall strategy.
- Time-Bound: Set deadlines to keep the momentum going.
3. Choose the Right Metrics to Measure Success
Craeve clients know that we set up and track KPIs (Key Performance Indicators) to measure your success along the way. KPIs are metrics will tell you if you’re on track or not. For instance, to measure brand awareness, keep an eye on reach and website traffic. For engagement, track your likes, shares, and comments. We’ll be here to guide you, so you know exactly where you are doing well and what needs more work.
4. Set a Budget and Allocate Resources Wisely
A big part of achieving your goals is knowing what budget you’re working with and how to allocate it. Go through each goal and figure out the costs involved, from ad spend to software needs. Setting a budget upfront keeps everyone on the same page and ensures you won’t have to scramble for resources later.
5. Create an Action Plan
For every goal, map out the steps needed to make it happen. Break things down into tasks, assign them to your team, and set deadlines. This will keep everyone aligned and accountable and break large projects into more manageable pieces.
6. Check-In and Tweak as Needed
Marketing isn’t static, so be ready to adjust your goals if things change. Regular check-ins, whether monthly or quarterly, let you measure progress and pivot if a certain tactic isn’t working. Staying flexible means you can jump on new opportunities and course-correct if something isn’t panning out as expected.
7. Celebrate Small Wins
Don’t wait until the end of the year to recognize progress! Celebrate milestones, even the small ones, to keep the team motivated. Hitting 50% of a goal is a great time to take a step back, acknowledge the work, and keep the momentum going.
Setting marketing goals doesn’t have to be complicated. Take the time to reflect on the past year, keep your targets SMART, and stay open to change. Need help? Let the Craeve team help you crush your goals and make next year a big success!