Over my career, I’ve partnered with hundreds of businesses that have deployed an array of creative marketing tactics across various industries. A common thread? Many of them try to do too much with too little. It’s not hard to see why. Nobody likes giving things up, especially when those things could yield results. But here’s the truth: if you’re not seeing success, adding more tactics to the mix won’t solve the problem.
When I work with clients, my first piece of advice is almost always the same: stop spreading yourself too thin. If you can’t add more budget or resources, the only solution is to simplify. Focus on the tactics that are working and cut the ones that aren’t. It’s not easy, but it’s often necessary.
How To Focus On The Right Marketing Tactics
So, how do you resist the urge to do more and instead focus on doing a few smart tactics really well?
1. Audit Your Current Efforts: Take a hard look at your marketing program. What’s working? What’s not? Which tactics align with your business goals, and which are just there because they seemed like a good idea three years ago?
2. Set Clear Goals: Define what success looks like for your business. Are you trying to drive brand awareness, generate leads or boost sales? Your goals should guide your strategy and help you prioritize.
3. Identify Your Strengths: What tactics play to your strengths as a company? For example, if your team excels at storytelling, focus on content marketing. If you have a highly visual product, double down on platforms like Instagram or Pinterest.
4. Say No To FOMO: It’s easy to feel like you’re missing out if you’re not on the latest platform or using the newest tool. But remember: just because a tactic works for someone else doesn’t mean it’s right for you. Truly consider the value of a new tactic before using precious resources.
5. Double Down On What Works: Once you’ve identified your most effective tactics, invest in them fully. This doesn’t just mean throwing more money at it. It also means time, creativity and strategic thinking.
6. Be Patient: Marketing takes time. Resist the urge to abandon your plans too quickly just because you’re not seeing immediate results.
Learn How To Do More With Less
The pressure to do more with less is relentless, but it doesn’t have to dictate your marketing strategy. And it doesn’t mean adding more marketing tactics. Instead of trying to be everywhere at once, focus on being extraordinary in a few places, with one or two tactics your team can use that works great for your business. I know, it feels counterintuitive, especially when opportunities abound. But trust me: doing a few things really well will always beat doing many things poorly.
Marketing success isn’t about chasing trends or checking boxes. It’s about creating meaningful connections with your customers, delivering value and achieving tangible results. And that happens best when you focus your efforts on the right marketing tactics.
So, take a deep breath. Step back. And start asking: What can we let go of to make room for what really matters?
If you want help in resetting your communications strategy and picking the right marketing tactics that work best for you, then contact SWBR and let’s raise some eyebrows!
