Restarting after a break!
In my July blog, Pausing your marketing plan so you can navigate through the noise, I offered tips on what to do when you make the decision to hold off on executing your marketing strategies because the online noise was going to be way too deafening for your content to make an impact. With the aftermath of not one, but two, devasting storms and the relentless political campaign tsunami I hope you had the opportunity to:
Pause your marketing plan tactics, especially your online advertising, unless there were “free” advertising opportunities or other organic measures you were able to take advantage of, create more one-on-one (personal) interactions with your clients/customers, and above all, remain patient.
Thankfully, in a matter of a few days, the 2024 hurricane season will officially be over, and the election will yield a new president. With these two situations out of our way, we will begin to enjoy a quieter and calmer online world so we can seek out and take advantage of advertising opportunities that can make an impact. If you were like me and chose to pause your marketing endeavors, it’s now time to get back to business.
Here’s how you can restart your marketing efforts after taking a sabbatical:
- Start slowly and be deliberate.
Now is not the time to come out blazin’! Instead, go back to the day you decided that you were going to hold off on any spending. Is there a way for you to pick up where you left off? Can you easily resume your plan? Perhaps just start by sending an email blast to your clients recapping how you spent the last three months. Check in on them to see how they fared following Helene and Milton. Your approach should be soft and sincere. As you restart your efforts the goal is to get back into shape without hurting yourself! - Focus on finishing strong.
This last quarter has been hectic and stressful, and I am looking forward to the end of 2024. With the holidays right around the corner, it only means that life will get even busier. If you can keep up your pace so that you can end the year solid you will be in a better position to start the new year. Ask yourself: Do I need to keep the status quo and not start anything new? Should I concentrate on my tried-and-true products or services and give them an extra push these next two months? Take a moment to look at how your business is doing and decide if you want to invest in ad dollars now or wait for the new year. If you feel confident in the position you are currently in then keep doing what you are doing. If you have the resources available and want to explore something new go for it! The goal right now is to get to the end of the year with your head high, and a spirit excited about the future! - Plan and prepare for 2025
If you haven’t created your marketing plan for 2025 yet, you should at least map out your Q1 strategies. No doubt with changes in the White House there will be changes that will affect the economy and how business is conducted. Waiting until the dust settles can certainly be a strategy for the new year, but so can continuing your social media tactics. There is no “right” answer. There is what is best for your business and the position you are in. Speak to others in the same situation, get together with your Chamber of Commerce, meet with your accountant or banker. Get sound counsel from professionals who can offer insight that could influence decisions you make for your business.
I hope if you were able to take some time off from social media messaging and marketing and that it gave you the chance to catch your breath and catch up on things. More importantly, I hope you and your business are doing well after the storms. For me, personally and professionally, this season saw a lot of moving parts and tested my patience! I am so glad that the hurricane and campaign season is nearing the end so I can get back to working with you and helping you tackle your goals!