We’ve all been there. You start the new year with big marketing goals, high hopes, and a shiny new calendar. But by February, the wheels start falling off the wagon. Life happens, time gets tight, and suddenly, that marketing plan is gathering dust on a forgotten corner of your desk.
But not this year!
2025 is your year to finally create a marketing plan that’s realistic, achievable, and dare we say, fun to stick to. Whether you're a small business owner or a sole trader, you’ve got enough on your plate already. So, let's create a plan that fits your busy life, drives results, and keeps you feeling good about your business.
Here’s how to set up a marketing plan for 2025 that won’t stress you out, gives you a clear path—and actually works!
1. Set Goals That Excite You (and That You’ll Want to Hit)
Here’s the thing about goals: if they don’t fire you up, you’re not going to follow through. When you’re setting your marketing goals for 2025, forget what you think you should do and focus on what gets you excited.
Do you want to double your email list? Land your high value dream customer? Increase your passive income? That’s where you start.
Here’s how to make those goals real:
Be specific:
Instead of saying, “I want more customers,” try “I want to book five new customers per month.” Clear goals give you something tangible to aim for.
Make them measurable:
If you can’t track your progress, how will you know if you’re winning? Whether it’s new leads, sales, or social media engagement, pick goals that you can measure.
Break them down:
Big goals are fun, but they can also feel overwhelming. Break them into smaller steps. For example, if you want to land 20 new customers in 2025, break that down into monthly or even weekly targets.
When your goals are clear, exciting, and bite-sized, you’ll feel way more motivated to stick to your marketing plan.
2. Pick Marketing Channels That Make Sense (Not Just the Trendy Ones)
We know, it’s tempting to jump on every new social media trend or shiny platform, but here’s the reality: you don’t have time for that! The trick is to choose the channels that make sense for your business, your ideal customer, the time you have for your marketing and where you can create in a way that is in your comfort zone.
To figure out where to focus in 2025, ask yourself:
Where are my customers hanging out?
Are they scrolling Instagram? Looking for services on Google? Chatting in Facebook groups? Follow their lead.
What fits my schedule?
If you’re too busy to post daily on social media, use a scheduling tool and do it all in one go for the whole week, or even month! Then you can move onto other things you enjoy more. Or, maybe email marketing or monthly blog posts are a better fit.
What can I maintain long-term?
Consistency beats frequency every time. It’s better to post a few times a week on Instagram and focus on engaging with your followers via comments and DMs, than to post every day for two weeks, then disappear for months.
Choosing the right channels is all about finding the sweet spot between where your audience is and what you can realistically handle.
3. Create a Content Calendar (That You’ll Actually Use)
Now that you know your goals and where you’ll be focusing your marketing, it’s time to plan out your content. This is where a content calendar becomes your secret weapon. Trust us—it will save you tons of time and stress throughout the year.
Here’s how to make it work:
Batch your content:
Instead of scrambling to create a post every day, batch your content creation (I already mentioned this one but it really does save you time!). Set aside a day once a month to create all your posts, emails, or blogs at once.
Use tools to schedule:
Tools like Buffer, Hootsuite, or even the native scheduling in Facebook and Instagram (Meta Business) can handle posting for you. You set it and forget it.
Plan around key dates:
Don’t let important dates sneak up on you! Include holidays, special promotions, or key industry events in your calendar so you can plan your content ahead of time.
With a content calendar, you’re no longer scrambling to come up with ideas last-minute. It gives you structure, keeps you organised, and helps you stay on track—even when life gets busy. No more last minute posting and absolutely zero overwhelm!
4. Automate What You Can (Let the Robots Help!)
Look, you’re busy. There are only so many hours in a day, and you’ve got a business to run. That’s why automation tools are your new best friends. They take care of the repetitive stuff, so you can focus on the fun, high-impact parts of your business.
Here’s how to get automation working for you in 2025:
Email sequences:
Set up automated email sequences for new newsletter subscribers, follow-up emails for clients, or nurture sequences to keep leads engaged. Platforms like Mailchimp and ConvertKit make this easy. And if your website is on Wix or Squarespace then you can bolt on email marketing and all in one place – that’s what I do and it saves so much time!
Social media scheduling:
Tools like Buffer, Later, or Planoly let you schedule a month’s worth of social media posts in one go. Spend one afternoon setting it all up, and let it roll out automatically. I use Content Studio which I can highly recommend.
Customer reminders and follow-ups:
Use tools to automatically remind customers about appointments, deadlines, or offers. It’s one less thing for you to worry about. (This is also available in Wix for example – saves me even more time!)
Automation doesn’t just save you time; it also helps you stay consistent, which is the secret to any successful marketing plan.
5. Measure, Adjust, and Celebrate Wins
One of the biggest reasons people abandon their marketing plans is they don’t know what’s working. But when you start seeing results, it’s a lot easier to stay motivated. That’s why measuring your progress is key.
Here’s how to keep things on track:
Track your results:
Whether it’s social media engagement, email open rates, or leads generated, track your key metrics monthly. This helps you see what’s working and where you might need to tweak things.
Be flexible:
If something isn’t working, don’t be afraid to adjust. Maybe Instagram isn’t bringing you leads, but your blog is driving tons of traffic. Focus more energy on what works!
Celebrate the small wins:
It’s easy to get caught up in big goals, but don’t forget to celebrate the small wins along the way. Each new client, each successful post—it’s all progress.
When you track your progress and adjust as needed, you’ll stay motivated and see results all year long.
6. Keep It Simple (And Have Fun)
At the end of the day, your marketing plan should feel like a tool to grow your business—not a burden. Keep things simple, stick to what works, and remember to have fun with it. Marketing is all about connecting with people and showcasing what makes your business awesome. If you enjoy the process, your audience will, too.
Your 2025 Marketing Plan, Made Easy
2025 is your year to nail your marketing without the stress. By setting exciting goals, focusing on the right channels, creating a manageable content calendar, and automating what you can, you’ll set yourself up for success. Plus, with a plan that fits your lifestyle, you’ll actually stick to it!
Ready to make 2025 your best year yet? You’ve got this!