New Year, Same Struggle: Keeping Marketing Resolutions Realistic
It’s January again, and you know what that means—resolutions! If you’re anything like me, you’ve probably scribbled down some lofty marketing goals in the haze of holiday optimism. “Launch a killer omnichannel marketing campaign! Update your website and start optimizing it for SEO! Engage your target audience on social media!” But let’s be serious: by February, half of those plans are gathering digital dust because client work has taken over.
Trust me, I get it. As someone who spends most of my time making sure our clients shine, Toolbox Studios’ marketing often takes a back seat. I know all the right things to do—plan, be consistent, track metrics—but somehow, those things never seem as urgent as the client project with a deadline. Sound familiar? That’s okay. This year, let’s shift the focus from perfection to progress.
Start Small, but Start Somewhere
We’ve all been guilty of setting goals so big they’re practically begging to be ignored. Instead of promising yourself you’ll become the marketing version of a CrossFit champion, pick one or two basics and commit to doing them well. For me, that might mean writing one meaningful blog post a month (instead of aiming for weekly posts and ending up with none). Maybe for you, it’s finally sending that newsletter you’ve been drafting in your head since last summer. Small actions add up, and done is better than perfect.
Plan Ahead, But Don’t Be Afraid to Wing It
I’ll let you in on a secret: I’m the queen of creating beautiful content calendars (Oh, by the way, it is in my head), and I never get it on paper for my team to help me execute it. Life happens, and sometimes you’ve got to toss the plan and roll with the punches. That said, having even a loose plan can make a world of difference. Discuss your ideas with a teammate, jot down a few content ideas, schedule key dates on your calendar, and give yourself a roadmap. If you end up detouring, no big deal. The goal is to keep moving, not to stay rigidly and stress filled course.
Focus on What Works for You
There’s a lot of noise about what you “should” be doing. TikTok is hot! Video is king! Print is making a comeback! It’s easy to feel like you must do it all, but that’s a fast track to burnout. Instead, focus on the channels and tactics that resonate with your audience (and that you enjoy doing). For me, that’s writing blogs and engaging on LinkedIn. It might be something entirely different for you, and that’s perfectly fine.
Don’t Go It Alone
Enlist a teammate or an accountability partner. Having someone to share goals with and check in regularly has helped me. Whether it’s a colleague, a friend in a similar industry, or even considering outsourcing it. Involving someone else adds a layer of commitment that’s hard to ignore. Plus, they can offer fresh ideas and keep you motivated when your enthusiasm dips. Sometimes, just knowing someone will ask, “How’s that campaign coming along?” is enough to keep you on track.
Keep Going, Even When It’s Messy
Here’s the thing about marketing resolutions: they’re not about being perfect. They’re about showing up and marketing consistently. Even if your Instagram feed doesn’t have a cohesive aesthetic, even if your email list grows by only a handful of subscribers, or if you skip a week (or two) of posting—just keep going. Progress beats perfection every single time.
So, this year, let’s ditch the pressure to have it all together. Let’s embrace the chaos, forgive ourselves when we fall short, and keep moving forward. Because at the end of the day, the only marketing effort that truly fails is the one you never start. Toolbox Studios is ready to assist you with any of your marketing needs.
