Tweak Your Biz » Marketing » Why invest in a marketing strategy?

Why invest in a marketing strategy?

by Christina Giliberti on May 12th, 2010
19 Comments



As a youngster I used to hang out at the local arcades and play street fighter. It actually took quite a while before I attempted the first play, and only then because it happened to be quiet. The reason was that a few male friends had mentioned gaming strategies, learning combos and a number of other tricks and shortcuts which made me feel inadequate to play. As it turned out, my frantic button-pressing made me the female star and many of the guys were in awe.

So if this can be achieved without all the reading, using tricks etc, why do we need strategies?

#1 Strategy removes guessworkStreet fighter - strategy

My frantic button-tapping may have resulted in some pretty fancy footwork, but my moves and combos were pure chance. A result of probability. Using a strategy would have condensed my 100 taps into a neat 20.

#2 Strategy guides your actions

Strategy gives you a plan of action featuring what, when, where and who.  Its a guide of steps that everyone involved is informed of. No frantic leaps of faith, just a clear list of actions/events to follow.

#3 Strategy makes things more efficient

Simply put, a strategy cancels out the mass methods and leaves only the efficient ones. Consideration is given to individual factors and research is undertaken at the beginning to ensure your campaign/s are steamlined.

#4 Strategies are goal-driven

A clear outlay is goal-focused, with emphasis given to optimum results. Without considering goals, you risk losing sight of the reason for all your effort.

#5 Strategies are based on tried and tested methods

Never underestimate the power and importance of experience. My lack of it in the game-playing world was replaced with luck. A wise man/woman makes his/her own luck!

When do you use strategies and how have they improved/helped your activities?



Category: Marketing Strategy, online marketing

Tags: , , , , ,

The Author:

Christina is a complete geek, hence a perfect web + online marketing consultant. After ten years working with Premier Recruitment Group, LA Fitness, Monarch Airlines, Thomson Travel and a host of other companies, she now owns CG Online Marketing (www.cgonlinemarketing.com) in Ireland and is an associate of the Ahain Group. She's qualified in most things online such as web server management, digital design, Google Analytics and SEO. Specialties: Social Media Marketing, SEO / PPC,Google analytics (qualified in GA IQ) Web trends + insights, Data segmentation and targeting, Customer Behavior analysis, Digital design, Writing, Ethical marketing Green marketing / Sustainable tourism and Hotel + travel online marketing http://www.cgonlinemarketing.com

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  • http://blog.myprojecttracker.com Barney Austen

    Hi Christina. You are quite right – a strategy is a must in order to get where you are going to. Without one, you and your business will meander around and MAY get to where you are trying to go. The point you make about the amount of time wasted is probably, for me, the biggest point.

    Another point of note to make is that a strategy does not necessarily have to entail and large scale document or plan. It just needs to be clear enough to give the steer to get to the end result.

    Thanks for sharing.

  • http://www.btbtraining.com/blog Niall Devitt

    I love the analogy, I reckon you would have kicked my butt :-)

    I think strategy is particulary critical when it comes to engaging with social media. Far too many are just partaking without first properly answering why am I doing this? What I am trying to achieve.

  • http://www.seefincoaching.com/blog Elaine Rogers

    Guilty as charged!!!
    I keep saying to myself, I will get a strategy, and I never do – it’s time not so much wasted, but not used effectively.
    However, I have to admit, every minute I am on-line, I am learning something new. It has been very beneficial to be familiar with Web 2.0 for a proposal put forward just last week :) (outcome of that not yet known)

  • http://www.seefincoaching.com/blog Elaine Rogers

    Great post!
    Tina, we all know strategy is imperative in anything that we do in our businesses. I have been brought to the trough, but am not drinking properly yet. In time I suppose :-/

  • http://www.cgonlinemarketing.com/ Christina Giliberti

    Hey Elaine,
    Funny post – I was laughing the whole time writing it because I was reminising…ahhh, to be young again.
    Don’t worry, you’ll learn – it’s one of those things that you pick up as you go along, then use again and again until you become a pro ; 0 )

  • http://www.cgonlinemarketing.com/ Christina Giliberti

    Maybe. I was a crazy diva then! lol

    True. Social media does benefit from using a strategy. Its the reason that most give up – no leads, no benefit, no strategy. We do tend to lauch ourselves into these things without taking the ‘all important’ time to research. It does pay off in the end and you do become much more efficient!

  • http://www.cgonlinemarketing.com/ Christina Giliberti

    Hi again,
    Glad to hear that you are picking up on web 2.0 etc. You’re right, it’s amazing how much you learn and how your knowledge grows. I blame that on it being such an exciting and changeable area to work in.

    Hope the outcome not known yet will be know soon (and in your favour) !

  • http://www.cgonlinemarketing.com/ Christina Giliberti

    Hi there Barney,

    I daresay that you’re a startegy pro and a firm believer in the benefits.
    Yes – clear is the key.
    Time-wasting is time learning at least. Practice makes perfect!

  • Anonymous

    Great post. A strategy is a must for anyone with a goal. It amazes me how I see people with ambitious goals running around like headless chickens only to be left exhausted and baffled why they did achieve their goal. They of course forget to take their map (strategy) when they set off on their quest.

    Vital to note that strategies need to be revisited and tweaked often.

    Thanks again for the post and great picture….caught my eye!

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  • Anonymous

    As i try to play Modern Warfare 2 on the Xbox I quite often contemplate the need for strategy – I’m that bad!!!

    Great post, and something that is often overlooked, when I speak to people about Social Media. In fact many don’t even set a goal. They just want to test out the shiny new thing, and are disappointed when it does not work for them.

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  • Anonymous

    Worth considering. A systematic strategy will help you reach your goals faster. But you’re still not going to figure out what people want until you venture out into the world and find out.

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  • http://www.cgonlinemarketing.com/ Christina Giliberti

    Hi Derbhile,

    Very insightful and true. Strategy is only part of the picture and planning process. Watching trends, targeting, experience are just as important. It’s a layered cake and strategy is what sticks it together. But without the cream, icing and cherry (optional), it isn’t complete.

    Thanks for the comment

  • http://www.cgonlinemarketing.com/ Christina Giliberti

    Hi there Frank,

    O’dear, my partner tends to blame the TV, the controller, he’s hungrey etc etc…..but he does use a stategy, or should I say – he caters to his strength, which is stealth.
    So, we could say that part of strategy is knowing your strengths and using them to your advantage.

    Yes, you’re right there. Its the latest craze and openly accessible. There are no locked doors or confusing technology to overcome, so it’s considered easy. It isn’t easy at all, but setting goals and following a plan can aid your effort.

    Thanks for the laugh! ; 0 )

    Tina

  • http://www.cgonlinemarketing.com/ Christina Giliberti

    Hello Greg,

    You’ve finally responded to a blog of mine, so you’re forgiven for refraining from responding to the others – lol

    Love the quest image….a map is a strong image. Without a map, there’s no route or direction.

    Glad you liked the picture. Looks so old now compared to Gears of War and the like.

    Tina

  • http://www.squidoo.com/finlandiagroup Kalevi Hanko41

    Strategies for me is like making a good step for your business etc.I really love your article very nice.

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