Climbing the Mountain: Actionable Steps for Overhauling Your Digital Marketing Strategy

digital marketing strategy-blog | DENNISON CREATIVE

“Digital marketing,” in and of itself, is a big subject. Add “strategy” to the mix, and it may feel like you’re standing at the foot of an insurmountable mountain – one with a peak shrouded in clouds of intricacy.

Sound familiar? Well, fear not, fellow traveler. Many marketers find themselves in this proverbial base camp at one time or another. Like you, they sense there’s a way to loftier outcomes in their digital marketing efforts. But also, like you, they’re not exactly sure where or how to start their ascent.

This article aims to help you prepare for the journey. Because though the trip to the top seems arduous, the trick to any successful climb is all in the groundwork.

Step 1: Recognizing the Digital Summit

Understanding the enormity and potential impact of scaling “Digital Marketing Mountain” is the first step to any successful strategy overhaul. Why?

Because climbing a mountain is hard work! You can’t go into it without knowing your “why” for doing it. If you do, you’ll inevitably run into something that makes you think twice about carrying on. You’d also be hard-pressed to get others (i.e., your teammates) interested in partnering with you. And that’d make for a heavy load.

After all, the task of overhauling a digital marketing strategy involves various facets, from research and analysis to implementation. With teammates, you can distribute the workload, ensuring that each aspect is given the attention it deserves. This shared responsibility also allows for a more thorough and well-rounded approach.

Action Step: Before you even start to think about what needs to change, define your overarching digital marketing objectives and envision the outcomes you seek. Document them and explain in clear terms why they matter.

Questions to ask:

What are you trying to achieve?
What’s the benefit of achieving it?
Why should your business leaders and executives care about it?

Step 2: Navigating Base Camp Amid Uncertainty

Your next task: Realize you’re not alone and come together with your teammates to set a vision.

Just as many climbers gather at base camps before a challenging ascent, marketers often stand at a crossroads: they recognize the need for change when something isn’t working but know they can’t drive change alone and are uncertain about the path forward. The uncertainty stems from all the scenarios and differing perspectives on navigating them. Unfortunately, this pivotal point is where many climbs stall or are abandoned entirely.

Action Step: Acknowledge your fellow marketers’ concerns as you prepare for the journey. With everyone’s opinion out in the open, you can collectively work towards finding “common ground.” And this common ground can evolve into a shared vision – one that serves as the foundation for a formalized plan for making the ascent.

Step 3: Equipping for the Ascent

With a shared vision/plan in place, it’s time to make formal preparations. Just as climbers equip themselves with the right gear, you need the proper tools for your digital journey. A few things to consider:

What will you need to sell the plan internally?

Now that your team is on board, identify other key stakeholders who need to be brought into the fold. Whether it’s your immediate supervisor, a cross-departmental advocate, or an executive sponsor, gaining their support is crucial.

The process might be streamlined in smaller businesses, but within larger organizations, especially those with intricate structures, you’ll likely need to present and sell your plan to a core group of stakeholders before proceeding.

Action Step: Consider the elements required for this – the supporting data, both quantitative and qualitative, that will validate your conclusions. Think about whether you need data visualization tools, ROI calculators, or any other specific resources to fortify your case.

One other tip: Just as the wind blows and rocks fall unexpectedly on a climb, new information will surely come to light as you work through the buy-in process. Don’t fret if the feedback you receive doesn’t line up with your well-laid plans. Part of being a guide is knowing when to listen, take feedback, and adjust. It’s all part of the process.

What will you need to execute the work if/when the work is approved?

After the groundwork and internal buy-in are secured, it’s time to prepare for execution.

Action Step: Consider the tools and resources required to bring your digital strategy to life (and remember to factor them into your budgets!).

This includes:

Project management tools to streamline tasks
Design and creativity tools for content creation
Marketing automation tools for efficient workflows
Others

This is also a good place to assess your team’s skills and identify any external support resources to ensure a seamless execution.

What will you need to measure the outcome?

Lastly, measuring outcomes is as essential as reaching the summit.

Action Step: Spend time here identifying the key performance indicators (KPIs) that align with your digital marketing objectives. Then:

Consider analytics and tracking tools to monitor those KPIs (i.e., website traffic, social media engagement, and campaign success).
Implement data visualization tools to present insights.
Additionally, consider customer feedback mechanisms and sentiment analysis tools to gauge audience satisfaction.

Action Step: Explore essential digital marketing tools and technologies. Identify gaps in your current toolkit, and then research and secure solutions.

Step 4: Planning the Route

Now that your team is aligned and you have the necessary tools, it’s time to plan your route. How?

Action Step: Break down your overarching strategy into smaller, actionable steps. Consider:

Timelines: Set realistic deadlines for each phase of your plan.
Budget: Allocate resources efficiently, ensuring each aspect gets attention.
Contingencies: Anticipate potential roadblocks and have contingency plans in place.

With a well-thought-out route, your team can navigate challenges more effectively and keep momentum.

Reaching New Heights in Your Digital Marketing

As you embark on your ascent, remember that every successful climb requires a clear summit vision, teamwork, and perseverance. Overhauling your digital marketing strategy is the same. The groundwork you’ve laid, the shared vision you’ve created, and the tools you’ve equipped yourself with are the pillars of your success.

By acknowledging the challenges, navigating uncertainty, equipping yourself adequately, and planning your route, you’re positioning your team for success in the ever-evolving digital marketing landscape.