Creating a Marketing Strategy can feel complicated but it can essentially be boiled down into three stages:

In the first stage (the awareness stage) you’re literally just trying to make potential customers aware that you exist.

You’ve got a stellar product or service, but guess what? Nobody knows about it. That’s where the awareness stage comes into play. This is your chance to shout from the rooftops (metaphorically, of course) and let the world know that you exist.

But how do you do that? Well, it’s all about getting your name out there. Think social media campaigns, content marketing, and good old-fashioned networking. The goal here is simple: make potential customers aware of your presence in the market.

Remember, Rome wasn’t built in a day, and neither is brand awareness. It takes time and consistent effort to get noticed, so don’t get discouraged if you don’t see results overnight.

In the second stage (the consideration stage) you have to convince your customers to buy from you over your competition.

Okay, so you’ve piqued the interest of your target audience. Now what? It’s time to convince them that your offering is the best thing since sliced bread (or avocado toast, if that’s more your style).

This is where the consideration stage comes into play. Your potential customers are weighing their options, comparing you to your competitors, and trying to decide who to give their budget to.

But here’s the thing: it’s not just about having a killer product or service. It’s also about the experience you provide. Put yourself in your customers’ shoes for a moment. Would you rather buy from a company that treats you like just another number, or one that goes above and beyond to make you feel valued?

Customer experience is key. So don’t just focus on showcasing what you’re selling; focus on how you’re selling it. It makes all the difference.

The third stage (the retention stage) involves building community and convincing your customer to purchase again.

The retention stage is all about keeping your customers coming back for more. Why? Because repeat customers are the lifeblood of any business. Not only do they contribute to your bottom line, but they also serve as brand ambassadors, spreading the word and bringing new customers into the fold.

So how do you keep them coming back for more? Build a sense of community. Make your customers feel like they’re part of something bigger than themselves. Whether it’s through loyalty programs, exclusive offers, or simply engaging with them on social media, show them that you appreciate their business and value their loyalty.

Remember, a happy customer is a loyal customer. So don’t just focus on making the sale; focus on building relationships that last a lifetime.

These are the basic three stages you need to consider when creating your marketing strategy. Of course, there are tactics and activities that need to be planned and actioned to go with it but, strategically, this is a great blueprint.

Does your Marketing Strategy cover these three stages?

If you’re reading this then I’m guessing you have a blog and are creating lots of content designed to interest and attract your target market over to your website.

However, it’s hard work coming up with ideas, and takes time to write a decent blog and share it across the relevant platforms.  It makes it all the more frustrating when, after all the blood, sweat and tears, no-one seems to be reacting to your blog.  It’s like nobody cares.

So what’s the one simple thing you can to generate more business from your blog?  Add a visual Call To Action.

A Call To Action is a clickable image which drives the reader to take additional action once they’ve read your blog.  They’re most traditionally associated with e-commerce (think the ‘buy now’ button you find on websites) but they should be used with all content marketing to drive the type of behaviour you want.

It’s important to think about what it is you’d like your readers to do after reading your blog post and this will depend on your type of business.  If your business offers services and consultancy then your Call To Action should encourage the reader to get in contact to discuss their requirements so you can make some recommendations on how to help.  If you sell software or solutions then perhaps your Call To Action could offer a free trial.

Once you’ve decided on your Call To Action all you need to do is create a nice visual image which clearly states your desired action and include it with every blog post.  Easy peasy eh??  Actually it is.  I created the Call To Action image below for my education consultancy using a powerpoint slide and a free stock photograph (if you’d like the template just get in touch and I’ll make it available).

Fancy a free 30-minute phone consultation?

The vast majority of my clients offer products and services, but visual Calls To Action such as the one above sound obvious but are often over-looked as a marketing tool.  The key is to make them clear, simple and highly visible; they’re fantastic for creating deeper engagement and make it easier for your potential customers to come to you.