We’re impatient by nature.
Our world is full of tools to make things happen faster. Convenience and automation have become the new norm:
- “There’s an app for that.”
- “AI can do it faster.”
- “Just order ahead.”
- “Shorter is sweeter.”
There are many reasons why people think faster is better. Advancement in technology drives a lot of these preconceptions. But becoming used to this new norm of convenience and speed is warping our expectations as human beings.
We want things, and we want them NOW. We seek out quick wins. And seemingly, when we don’t get them, we get upset. You see this happening a lot in the corporate world, as sometimes people forget there is a human doing the work behind the screen.
So, let’s relate this to business. When it comes to creative projects or marketing, the question is:
Can a marketing strategy give results right away?
The answer is: no. Things cannot be built overnight. But we’ll explain why.
Why You Can’t Hurry Results
There’s a multitude of stuff that needs to come together for a holistic marketing strategy that creates meaningful results. To understand more how marketing strategies are formed, read our resource about the funnel-focused approach to marketing.
Let’s get into it— here’s why marketing takes time.
You Need to Build Trust and Credibility
Trust is a cornerstone of success. Whether your business is new and waiting for an established customer base, or you are an experienced entrepreneur, you need people to trust you. People need time to create positive associations with your products or services before they make any purchase decisions. This includes some proof of credibility, whether it be reviews, testimonials, or professional branding.
You Need to Understand Your Audience
Deeply understanding your target audience is no small task. Rushing through this crucial step can lead to misconceptions or assumptions about your customers’ needs and preferences that may end up being useless. Take the time to conduct thorough market research, analyze, and gather insights to tailor your messaging to exactly who it’s meant for.
You Need to Convey Your Brand Message
Establishing your brand doesn’t happen overnight. Good marketing involves using various channels, consistently, to build recognition through repeated exposure. Conveying your message to your audience is so important, and that’s where a strong branding package comes into play. It’s not just about reach— it’s about intent.
You Need to Do Testing and Data Analysis
Strategies often require refinement. Initial campaigns won’t yield the results you want. Getting customers through your marketing funnel doesn’t always mean a sale. Time is needed to collect data, analyze results, and make adjustments to improve performance and return on investment (more on this later).
You Need to Sustain Long-Term Growth
It’s a gradual process to build lasting relationships with your audience. Marketing efforts should focus on creating value and nurturing relationships over time. Markets are also competitive and dynamic, and they require you to be adaptive. Staying responsive to trends, shifts in consumer behaviour, and the latest tech takes time to implement effectively.
Measuring Long-Term Impact of Your Marketing Strategy
Real results, ones that are meaningful, manifest over the long term. Sure, short-term metrics like immediate sales or website traffic spikes are important. But the full impact of efforts in a strategy may take months, or even years, to fully take shape.
Measuring and reporting results require a strategy themselves. Measurement of your KPIs should be done weekly or monthly, while reporting can be done quarterly. Reporting over a longer stretch of time allows for the discovery of trends that can be used to create future hypotheses and plans of action.
As a business owner, it is important to remember this when considering your strategy. Patience is a key virtue, as good marketing is a long-term investment. Your expectations may be high– it would be weird if they weren’t. But for real impact, your marketing strategy just needs time to be truly effective.
Quick wins aren’t the best ones. You have to manage your expectations and understand that you’re playing the long game.
Getting The Results You Want
Getting the results you want (or need) can actually be more simple than you think: choose the right creative marketing agency.
The allure of quick wins may be tempting, but the success of your business lies in its marketing strategy. By taking the time to understand your audience, build trust, refine your message, and test your data, the right agency can help you create marketing campaigns that deliver real, meaningful results.
Yes, paving the way for sustainable growth and long-term success is an investment. And yes– convenience is tempting. But try to find an agency that knows how to strike a balance of being human and knowing how to use technology to get you the results you’ve been looking for.
Plus, investing in a partner to create a strategy for real results ultimately frees up your time. And that’s a win for you.
Ready to start your next project?