Halfway there! A mid-year marketing check-up
We're officially halfway through 2025 – can you believe it? It feels like the year has just flown by. It’s time to see if the daily grind you’ve put in has paid off so far and what you need to do to keep the momentum going. Do you even HAVE momentum going right now or do things feel a little flat? How are your marketing efforts performing?
Marketing isn't just about sales; it's about connection, community, and amplifying your unique voice. That's why the halfway mark of the year is the perfect time to review your marketing goals. It’s not too late to get it together and turn things around if you need to..
So, grab a bevvy, take a deep breath, and let's dive into some key questions for your mid-year marketing review:
1: Are your goals still relevant?
Let’s go back. Think wayyyy back to January. What were your big marketing aspirations? More website traffic? Higher engagement on social media? A specific number of new clients?
Are these goals still aligned with your overall business objectives? Perhaps your business has evolved, or new opportunities have come up. A goal set in January might not be the most impactful one in July. And it’s OK to change things up so you are better aligned with where your business is at today.
Are they SMART? (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Time-bound) If not, now's the time to refine them. For instance, instead of "get more followers," aim for "increase Instagram followers by 20% by Q4 with targeted outreach."
2: What do your analytics tell you?
Time for a reality check (mixed in with a little bit of magic). Dive into your analytics across all your marketing channels. I KNOW IT’S SCARY. But numbers don’t lie. You need something more concrete than anecdotal observations.
Website: What's your traffic like? Which pages are most popular? Where are people dropping off? Are your lead magnets converting?
Social Media: Which platforms are driving the most engagement for your target audience? What content resonates most? Are your ads performing well?
Email Marketing: What are your open and click-through rates? Are your segmented lists effective?
Conversions: Are you seeing the desired actions – whether it’s product purchases, service bookings, or newsletter sign-ups?
Look for trends. What's working surprisingly well? What's falling flat? Don't be afraid to acknowledge what isn't serving you. We also like to look at year over year trends that come up. For example, on social you might notice that engagement goes down in June as people are kicking off summer activities.
3: What is your audience saying (and not saying)?
It’s important to gain a deep understanding of your audience and look for real connections.
Qualitative Feedback: Have you received any direct feedback from clients or customers? Are there recurring questions or comments that could show areas for improvement?
Social Listening: What conversations are happening around your brand online? What are your competitors doing that's gaining traction with your shared audience?
Surveys & Polls: Even a quick Instagram poll can provide valuable insights into what your audience wants to see more of from you.
4: What needs to be tweaked?
Now that you’ve reviewed your goals, your data, and what your audience is saying, it's time to make any necessary adjustments to optimize your marketing strategy.
Lean into what’s working: If a particular campaign or content type is performing exceptionally well, allocate more resources to it.
Cut the stuff that’s not: If there are certain things that are underperforming or not working, you should either fix them or cut them from your strategy.
Try something new: Is there a new platform or marketing tactic that could better reach your ideal customer? (Think TikTok for a younger demographic, or LinkedIn for professional services.)
Budget reallocation: Are your marketing dollars going to the most impactful areas? Don't be afraid to shift funds from underperforming channels to those with higher ROI.
5: How can you set yourself up for Q3 & Q4?
It’s important to look back, but you should also look forward to see how you can achieve success.
Refine your content calendar: What stories do you want to tell? What value can you provide to your audience in the coming months?
Outline key campaigns: Are there any seasonal promotions, product launches, or service offerings you want to highlight?
Set new short-term goals: Break down your overall annual goals into smaller, manageable targets for Q3 and Q4.
A mid-year marketing review isn't just another thing you need to add to your calendar; it's an opportunity to celebrate your progress, learn from your efforts, and set yourself up for an even stronger second half of the year.
If you find yourself overwhelmed by the data, unsure how to pivot, or simply need another set of eyes to help refine your strategy, we're here to help. Book a free consultation with me today!