Let’s face it—marketing isn’t a one-size-fits-all game. You can’t slap a trendy strategy on a business and hope it sticks. It’s like giving everyone the same haircut and calling it a masterpiece. (Spoiler: It’s not.) If you want to help your clients create marketing strategies that actually work, it’s time to get personal—like, “know their favorite coffee order” kind of personal.
Step 1: Know the Client Like a Best Friend
Start by understanding their business—inside and out. What do they sell? Who’s buying? Why do people care? (If the answer is “they don’t,” that’s your first red flag.) Dig into their values, their goals, and what makes them unique. This isn’t fluff; it’s the foundation for everything you’ll do.
Step 2: Speak the Language of Their Audience
Every business has an audience, and every audience speaks a slightly different dialect of “I want this.” Your job? Translate. Are their customers scrolling TikTok for life hacks, or are they the type to read a white paper over coffee? Meet them where they are.
Step 3: Experiment Without Fear (or Too Much Fear)
Marketing isn’t a set-it-and-forget-it deal. It’s a constant experiment. Test different channels—social media, email campaigns, partnerships, even (gasp) print ads. Track what works and ditch what doesn’t. Think of it like dating: you’ll know when something clicks.
Step 4: Build a Strategy That Evolves
Trends change, algorithms shift, and what worked last year might be useless tomorrow. Build a strategy that’s flexible. Encourage clients to embrace change (even when it’s scary) and keep their eyes on the prize: connecting with their audience in meaningful ways.
Step 5: Keep It Real
Nobody likes feeling marketed to, so stop trying to sell 24/7. Focus on creating value—whether that’s through helpful content, engaging stories, or genuine conversations. Authenticity isn’t just a buzzword; it’s the secret sauce.
Closing Thoughts (The Mic Drop Moment)
The most effective marketing strategy is the one that fits the client like a glove—not a pre-packaged formula. So, throw out the cookie-cutter approach, roll up your sleeves, and craft something tailor-made. Your clients—and their customers—will thank you.