Marketing is a broad industry where choosing which marketing goals to pursue can be overwhelming. You could try to spend time on every single one of the million things you are bombarded with each day but you would get nowhere. 

There are multiple studies that document how beneficial it is to set goals. Think about when you go to the grocery store without a shopping list. You end up with a bunch of stuff you do not need and you probably forgot half the items you actually needed.  

An Elite Daily article referenced a study where Harvard graduate students were asked if they had specific, written goals for their futures. Only 3% did. After ten years this group was interviewed again. The students who had specific, written goals for their futures earned a whopping ten times more than their peers who did not.  

Are you convinced that you need to set your goals and write them down yet?  

We understand how difficult setting goals can be, so we have outlined our methodology, the SMART goal-setting method. The SMART acronym is useful if you are trying to set marketing goals, business goals, create an individual campaign, or even planning your career.  

For a little extra guideance on how to set goals, download our SMART goals template. 

S: Specific

According to Forbes, if you do not know what you want, you will not know what steps to take to get there. We agree. Decide what you want to achieve and write it down.  

M: Measurable

You should be able to quantify your goal. Otherwise how will you know when you have officially reached it? This is also a good tool for gauging your progress.

A: Attainable

Your goal should be reachable and practical. Think about your resources and make sure you have the ability and bandwidth to reach it.   

R: Relevant 

Your goal should be pertinent to the overall mission of your business as well as any problems your business may be facing. 

T: Timely

Set a date by which you would like to reach your goal. Doing so will keep you from procrastinating those small steps needed to reach it when daily tasks may seem more pressing.  

Using the SMART goal-setting method commits you to your goals in writing and holds you accountable. Use our free goal-setting template for guideance. Once you have written down your SMART goals, put them in a place where you will see them often. 

When you reach your goals, celebrate! You earned it. But do not stop there. After the champagne toast is over,  it is time to begin thinking about your next SMART goal.