Dear business owners and leaders we feel you — it’s almost the end of the year. You might feel like you are running out of runway to do all the things before 2024 closes. But don’t panic! Here are a few pointers to help you prioritize and set your business up for success next year.

Marketing Planning at the End of the Year

Need a short list of what to do to start your next year in marketing off right? From a marketing perspective, check these off the list:

• First, set your marketing goals.
• Then, define strategies to align with those goals.
• Next, define or redefine your target client or customer. Remember, you are probably not your target audience, and your business cannot be all things to all people. Focus is key.
• Make sure content strategy for January is defined. Outline your content calendar to get a jump on organizing and posting when the holidays end and work begins again.
• For social media and blogging, develop your copy and create the visuals for your posts now, and get them queued up and ready to go January 1.
• Email marketing for January means developing your content now, and the creative that is aligned with the content so you’re ahead of the calendar and know what to focus on for January content.
• Overall, other marketing initiatives are worth considering. What worked this year and what other new ideas do you have for 2025? Think about where you need to be marketing-wise in the coming year.
• Set your marketing budget. Initiatives you have planned for 2025 will be determined by this. Remember, don’t waste anyone’s time on the next big idea or initiative if you are not willing to invest what it takes to accomplish that idea. Budget for your marketing as accurately as you can now.

Rev Up for Beginning-of-the-Year Business at the End of the Year

From a business perspective, have you done these things? Getting your business ready for 2025 involves your whole team. First, get them onboard with your business plan and then show them how it relates to them with these three tips:

• Share your Q1 priorities for the business and calendar them with your team.
• Set a team kickoff meeting in Q1 to set the tone for the new year.
• Focus on strengthening company culture with this kick off meeting and other types of team touchpoints, activities and communications.

Now Look Forward to A Great New Year of Success

The new year will be bright. Strap in and get things done. But you can do it. The Front Porch Marketing team is here to help. Let us make 2025 the best year yet for your brand and business.

Here are some marketing questions for business owners and leaders to ponder to truly rock 2025. Start the year off right. First, ask and answer these questions to help your team succeed by aligning your collective efforts. Then, optimize your team’s performance with clarity, collaboration, conviction, consistency and connection — and 2025 will be your year. And finally, don’t forget to regularly track your progress.

Ask Yourself These Marketing Questions

What are my business goals?

To focus efforts and increase success rates, make sure your goals are SMART. SMART goals are specific, measurable, actionable, relevant and time bound. Areas in which to set goals are around your financial target, growth, operations and your team. In addition, set goals for yourself as a business leader. These goals can be around leadership, development, your role, work life balance, fitness, mental wellness, etc.

Does my brand and messaging reflect what my business is today?

Is your brand resonating with your team and your best target? Think about this. You have great clients or customers, a strong, best-of-class team, and a differentiating product or service. So is your brand a garage band? Or have you evolved your brand and messaging to reflect what your business has become?

What is my marketing budget?

Set your marketing budget for next year. This is one of the most important marketing questions for several reasons. Most companies’ marketing budget for 2025 is between 7–10% of revenue. Then you can align your activities and expectations once your number determined.

Who are my best customers/clients?

If you have data gathered, this will be easier. If not, you still need to answer this marketing question. Key metrics to consider include purchase frequency and recency. Also review the total revenue generated by that client or customer for the year. Further, consider customer loyalty — your net promoter score (NPS). In other words, how likely are they to recommend your brand to others?

How am I going to achieve set goals targeted at my best prospects in 2025?

Now you’re asking yourself one of the key marketing questions. From here you can develop your marketing road map. With your ideal customers identified, you can then tailor your marketing efforts to their preferences and needs. In addition, the budget you developed is also in play here, as marketing initiatives must be within that budget.

Do I have the right marketing team in place to rock my business in the new year?

For the most part, successful business leaders realize marketing should be done by professionals. They themselves should not be the marketers. Thus, evaluate your team and identify who is qualified to lead and execute your marketing team efforts to reach your goals. Most small businesses do not have that team internally. And most small business leaders know that an office manager isn’t their Chief Marketing Officer — that position should not be leading or executing marketing strategies and initiatives.

These Answers Will Start Your New Year Off Right

Cheers to a new year. Going forward, we are wishing you even greater business success in 2025. In addition, our wish for you and your team is to achieve optimal mental and physical health and happiness.