As we head into 2025, it's the perfect moment to reflect and reset.
No matter if you own a business, are starting out on your own, or work as part of a bigger team, having a strong marketing plan is vital to achieving your goals.
The right tools and mindset can make all the difference. Here are our top tip's for how you can make 2025 your best year yet:
🤔 Assess Where You Are Now
Before you jump into setting your 2025 goals, take time to evaluate your current situation. Consider these questions:
What marketing strategies yielded results last year?
Which approaches fell short of expectations?
Where do you see opportunities for improvement?
Reflecting on last year’s performance can provide insights into necessary adjustments and solid foundations on which to build.
Gathering feedback is key. Reach out to customers, colleagues, or mentors for their input. For instance, if you're in retail, ask your loyal customers about their shopping experience. This feedback can be invaluable in shaping your future strategies.
🎯 Set Specific and Achievable Goals
With an understanding of your current position, it’s essential to set specific and realistic goals.
Utilise the SMART framework—make your goals Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound.
For example, instead of a vague goal like “I want to increase sales,” refine it to:
"Our business goal is (Insert your goal), therefore our marketing goal is (Define your marketing goals here)."
Creating clear goals helps you visualise and target your success more effectively.
Statistics show that companies with specific goals are 30% more likely to achieve them compared to those with vague objectives.
📸 Develop Content That Captivates Your Audience
Not just in 2025, but in every year, quality content remains a priority. Create content that speaks to your audience's needs and concerns. Content that resonates with your audience!
For example, if you run a fitness business, consider writing informative blog posts about nutrition tips or creating videos demonstrating effective workouts. These resources can provide real value to your followers and bolster your company's credibility.
When it comes to creating your content, there are a number of fantastic platforms that you can utilise. Our top recommendations are:
Capcut Creating engaging videos? We'd recommend Capcut which offers creators an extremely comprehensive range of video content creation options. Their Pro version, in our eyes, is certainly worth the cost.
Canva For social content and graphic design, we'd always have to recommend trusty Canva. There really isn't much that you can't create on Canva, and it offers a great platform for beginners as well as pro's.
Remember: Authenticity matters. Embrace your unique voice, whether you’re sharing personal stories or customer success stories. Being genuine fosters a deeper connection with your audience.
💻 Optimise Your Online Presence
Establishing a strong online presence is crucial. Prioritise enhancing your website and, even more importantly, your customer journey.
Ensure your website is easy to navigate, informative, and mobile-friendly. Integrating relevant keywords can increase visibility. For instance, using tools like Google Keyword Planner, AlsoAsked or AnswerThePublic can help identify which phrases potential customers search for most often.
Don't overlook your email list. According to recent studies, 44% of email recipients make at least one purchase a year based on promotional emails. Regular newsletters can keep your audience connected and engaged.
🛣️ Analyse & Optimise Your Customer Journey
Ok, we know we've touched on this above, but it really is important to take a step back and assess just how customers are interacting with your business.
Your customer journey defines everything from the moment that they touch your brand. Whether that's via a marketing campaign, a referral, or an organic Google search, right the way to the very 'end,' where they make a purchase/sign-up and beyond!
Take a step out of your business owner shoes and actually look at how your customers interact with your business.
Just some of the questions to ask yourself are:
"How many steps does it take for a customer to make an enquiry/purchase?"
Is it a seamless, intuitive process? Or are there unnecessary hurdles that could be streamlined? Every extra click, form, or unclear instruction could mean a potential customer dropping off and looking elsewhere.
"Is your messaging consistent across all platforms?"
Consistency is key when it comes to brand messaging. Your customers should receive the same experience whether they find you on social media, visit your website, or read an email from your business. A cohesive message builds trust, reinforces your brand identity, and ensures that customers know exactly what to expect from you.
"Is your online presence easy to find and navigate?"
Having a strong online presence is essential, but it’s just as important to ensure that customers can easily find and navigate it. If your business isn't showing up where your audience is looking, or if your online platforms are difficult to navigate, you could be missing out on valuable opportunities.
"Can customers quickly find the information they need?"
When a customer visits your website or social media pages, they’re usually looking for something specific—whether it’s your products, services, contact details, or pricing. If they can’t find what they need quickly and easily, they might leave and look elsewhere.
Consider these key factors to ensure information is readily accessible:
Clear Navigation: Is your website structured in a logical way? Menus should be intuitive, with clearly labelled sections that guide users to important pages without confusion.
Search Functionality: Do you offer an easy-to-use search bar that helps users find content fast? A good search function can save customers time and frustration.
Prominent Contact Details: Are your phone number, email, and business hours easy to locate? Customers should never have to dig through pages to get in touch.
FAQs: Do you have a dedicated FAQ section that addresses common questions? Providing quick answers can improve user experience and reduce inquiry volume.
Consistent Information Across Platforms: Are your details accurate and up to date on all platforms, including social media, directories, and email communications?
"How easy is it for customers to get in touch with you?"
Your customers should never have to struggle to get in touch with you. Whether they have a question, need support, or want to make a purchase, accessibility is key to building trust and providing great service. If reaching you feels like a hassle, they might move on to a competitor who offers quicker and easier communication options.
Tip: Consider mapping out the entire journey—step by step—from initial awareness to post-purchase follow-up. Identify friction points and opportunities to enhance the experience.
🤳 Explore New Platforms and Technologies
2025 might be the time for you to delve into new platforms and technologies. Identify spaces where your audience spends their time, whether on emerging social media sites or through apps.
For example, if your target demographic is younger, consider utilising platforms like TikTok or Snapchat. Experiment to see which channels yield the best engagement for your brand.
Remember: Just because something exists doesn't necessarily mean that you have to use it! Your platforms should be aligned to where your audience is. For example, if you're trying to appeal to a young audience, we wouldn't recommend using LinkedIn as your primary platform!
📈 Monitor and Adapt Your Strategies
Monitoring your strategies throughout the year is essential. Regularly check analytics and performance data to understand what’s working.
The ol' 'set and forget' practice isn't going to yield you the results that you want!
If you want to see sustainable, measurable growth, you have to ensure that you are investing the necessary time and effort into your digital strategies.
Remember: Being proactive is key. For example, if you notice a spike in Instagram engagement but minimal interaction on Facebook, shift your focus toward creating more targeted content for Instagram. Being flexible allows you to stay relevant in a changing market.
🥳 Celebrate Your Wins, Big and Small
Finally, remember to celebrate your achievements. Each success, whether large or small, deserves recognition.
Take a moment to appreciate reaching a new milestone or successfully implementing a strategy. Acknowledging progress keeps motivation high and inspires further success.
⭐️ Get Ready for Success in 2025
Turning your goals into reality in 2025 is totally achievable with the right strategy and mindset. Start by taking a look at where you are now, set some clear goals, create awesome content, make sure you’re visible online, and keep your customers happy. By doing these things, you’ll be well on your way to making your vision a reality.
Don’t be afraid to try new things, work with others, and change your approach as needed. And make sure to celebrate your successes.
With these essential marketing tips, you’ll be ready to take on 2025 with confidence.
🤝 Need a hand turning your goals into reality?
Naturally, we would love to have a chat with you to see how Pollard Media can help your business achieve it's goals in 2025.
Get started by visiting our 'Get Started' page, and selecting how you'd like to meet with us - whether that's in-person at our office in Poringland, Norwich, or over a call to get to know more about your business and your goals. The choice is yours!
There's absolutely no commitment or obligation at this stage whatsoever.
We'll have a chat over a coffee or a tea, and discuss how we can help you achieve your goals. If things go well, we can create a proposal for you to give you a clear plan of what we think is the best route forward for you and your business.
Then, it’s completely up to you if you’d like to take things further with no pressure or pushy salespeople. Simple!