We all do it – make resolutions that we don’t keep. So how can you make a resolution and stick to it? Forbes  suggests you set goals – small, incremental, achievable goals that you can stick to and achieve – and I agree! Here are 5 things that will make your marketing more effective in the new year!

Lucky for us, January has 5 Fridays – so each week we’ll dig deeper in to these topics with a “step-by-step” approach to each.

5 steps to better marketing:

1)       Clean Up your customer database. Undeliverable emails and incorrect addresses can affect your spam score, cost you money, and skew your results. Get to the bottom of it – once and for all!

2)       Learn from the past. You may not plan to be in your job forever – but someone will. Create a standard to keep the key items for every campaign. You can learn from the past – and dig out of the paper mountain!

3)       Sit down with your creative agency. Make them a partner – not an executor! Two heads are better than one and creating a partnership based on respect is critical. Let them know your plans and strategies – and ask them for input and advice. If you don’t think they can do that, get another agency!

4)       Bring out your 2014 strategy plan. Revise and use it - constantly. You probably completed it in October, but now is the time to actually use it. Many people create plans and then file it – never to be seen again. This is such a missed opportunity! A strategy document should be a living thing that you continue to re-visit and revise (a bonus – it will make next year’s planning a breeze!).

5)       Expand your channels. Look at your plans and make sure you are using multiple channels – and measuring all. Many companies are heavily relying on email – too heavily. Start planning NOT to be THAT company.

But for now – Enjoy your family and friends during this wonderful holiday season! There will be plenty of time in the New Year to start afresh, so for now have a wonderful time – and HAPPY NEW YEAR!