I’m not a fan of New Year’s Resolutions. In part because they’re tantamount to “goal-setting,” which tends to generate more anxiety and angst than productive results. And because most resolutions fall by the wayside in no time flat.
In fact, towering stacks of research show that the vast majority of New Year’s Resolutions are abandoned before the month of January comes to a close.
So, instead of wasting time on a losing proposition, I recommend focusing on developing habits. And in particular, cultivating the Marketing Habit.
Not familiar? Well, friends, this is the practice of making a regular appointment with yourself to focus exclusively on marketing tasks. It involves literally scheduling a reoccurring appointment in your preferred Calendar app. Blocking out time at least once (if not twice, but no less than once) a week to manage your marketing.
And how will you spend your time during this reoccurring appointment?
Glad you asked! Because I’ve got 10 Tasks that can improve your marketing and ultimately grow your business in 2023.
So, let’s dive in.
1. Develop a marketing strategy — If you’ve been following along, you’re aware I’m nearly done with my Developing An Effective Marketing Strategy series (which will eventually be compiled into an eBook, so stay tuned!). And developing an effective marketing strategy is the PERFECT place to start your 2023 marketing efforts.
2. Launch or revamp your website — If you don’t have a website, it’s time to get with the 21st Century program. And if your current website has been static for over three years, it’s time for a redesign.
3. Do a technical SEO audit of your website — No matter the age of your website (but especially if its current design is 3 or more years old), a technical SEO audit will ensure no structural issues are disrupting your website’s Search Engine Optimization. I can help with this, or you can search online for a vendor that conducts technical SEO audits, and you’ll find plenty of options.
4. Do an “on-page” and keyword SEO audit of your website — Is your website content structured properly and includes the right keywords to rank in Google search for the clients you’re trying to reach? An on-page SEO audit will help you answer these questions. And here again, I can help, or you can search online for a qualified vendor.
5. Establish or expand your presence on social media — If you’re not already marketing your business on social media, you’re definitely late to the party, but better late than never! Social media can be very effective for branding, lead generation, and increasing sales.
6. Create a social media marketing content calendar — A content calendar is the most effective means of marketing your business on social media. This involves using a spreadsheet to create a calendar in which you chart out an advanced schedule of social posts. I recommend gathering content and plotting your posts at least a month in advance.
7. Subscribe to a Social Media Scheduling Tool — While a content calendar can help you get organized as you gather content internally, a social media scheduling tool — like Hootsuite, Buffer + Meet Edgar — will enable you to pre-schedule your posts weeks or even months in advance. Most social media scheduling tools are paid services, but they are well worth the cost in terms of the time-saving and organizational benefits of these marketing automation tools.
8. Launch or update your eNewsletter — If you don’t already have an eNewsletter, you’re missing out on one of the best “keeping in touch” and “remaining top of mind” marketing tools going. And it’s free to create an account with MailChimp (an Email Service Provider that facilitates broadcast emails) for up to 500 contacts. Also, if your eNewletter design is more than three years old, it’s definitely time for a refresh.
9. Segment your email contacts and send targeted campaigns — If you’re already doing email marketing (kudos to you!), but now it’s time to move beyond your eNewsletter and start sending targeted emails to specific client segments. A client segment is a group of clients with particular needs or interests. For example, if you’re a Wills + Trusts lawyer, send campaigns focusing on wills to clients interested in creating or updating their will, and send campaigns focusing on trusts to clients considering creating or revising their living trust.
10. Consider or reconsider direct mail — While traditional marketing has taken a significant backseat to digital marketing of late, certain practices are coming back, including direct mail. Turns out prospects are 98% more likely to delete email marketing messages without reading them than throw away direct mail pieces without reviewing them. Pretty compelling stat, huh?
Need Help With These Tasks?
If you have the time, wherewithal, and expertise necessary to tackle these tasks on your own — By all means, have at it!
But maybe your to-do list is already bulging at the seams. Or you don’t have the juice to take on any more projects. Or you need help figuring out where to start with these tasks.
Whatever the case, I’m here to help!
So, let’s chat and get started on making 2023 your Best Year EVER!
310.466.7893 | ryan@ryananys.com