We don’t think we speak for ourselves when we say 2021 has been one HECK of a year. From recovering from a global pandemic to understanding the new way digital spaces became primary marketplaces, to establishing the identities of new brands in a changed world, we imagine everyone is feeling like they had an intense one! 
New years means new beginnings. As you wind down from the whirlwind, we want to use this blog to give you a few tools that you can use to get your head start as the calendar turns. This means smart goal setting, some prompts for new years resolutions, and a marketing checklist for 2022!
Setting 2022 marketing goals, the SMART way
When you picture a new year, you inevitably have goals for your business. But how do you make sure those goals are achievable and allow you to develop an actionable plan that you can follow in your day-to-day? Dreams that aim too high can lead to disappointment, and dreams that don’t reach far enough might not push you to your possible creative heights. At Dawning Digital, we like to use the SMART method for goal setting.
New years means new beginnings. As you wind down from the whirlwind, we want to use this blog to give you a few tools that you can use to get your head start as the calendar turns. This means smart goal setting, some prompts for new years resolutions, and a marketing checklist for 2022!
Specific: Set real numbers with real deadlines. Go for “I want x output by time y.”
Measurable: Make sure that you can track your goal. Use analytics, sales, reviews, or statistics.
Attainable: Challenge yourself, but make sure your goal is possible. Don’t set yourself up for disappointment.
Realistic: Be honest about the capabilities of yourself, your team, and your resources.
Time-bound: Set a deadline and stick to it. It’s amazing what you can achieve under pressure.
(Bonus tip: If you’re struggling to set your goals, sometimes it helps to have an outside perspective. Schedule a call with Dawning Digital to brainstorm your strategy with our team!)
New Years resolutions you should set
You came to this section thinking you were going to get some business-oriented resolutions for 2022. We tricked you. As a small business owner, the future of your company (and your employees) rests on your shoulders. We know how scary that can be. You’re constantly proving your worth in a saturated market. We just want to let you know that your brand won’t thrive unless you’re thriving. It’s important that you set boundaries and actively practice self-care. So, repeat after us:
In 2022 I will:
Take breaks when my body tells me I need them.
Internalize positive feedback as much as negative feedback.
Understand that my levels of creativity will fluctuate and that doesn’t make me a failure.
Realize that I perform better when I am rested.
Treat myself how I wish I could have been treated as an employee.
Stop focusing on mistakes, and look at how far I’ve come.
Treat every sale as a personal win. Because I made this.
Understand that bad days are part of the process.
Realize that I am a badass because I carved my own path.
Your 2022 New Years marketing checklist
Before you start the next year, there are a few admin things you’re going to need to do to make sure your online presence reflects your sparkling new outlook.
Boring, we know. Thankfully, we made a quick checklist you can use to make sure you’ve got all your bases covered to leave the best possible impression. Get the logistical stuff out of the way fast, so you can show up to that NYE party knowing you’ve got a head start!
☑️ Update my website copy to 2022
☑️Update my client portfolio to reflect the last year.
☑️ Add new partners, awards & certifications.
☑️ Verify my site’s lead flow experience and capture.
☑️ Test my website’s lead flow experience.
☑️ Verify my site’s keywords and page descriptions.
☑️ Re-promote 2021’s highest trafficked blog post.
☑️ Refresh my pinned posts on social profiles.
☑️ Re-optimize social profiles and header images.
☑️ Verify and fix my contact info on-site and social.
☑️ Update Google My Business and other directories.
There are many adjectives we could use to describe the past year. Some of them are four letters long and not worth writing down. Most of them though, come from a place of gratefulness. Through every obstacle, we’ve grown, and after a well-deserved break, we’re ready to hit the ground running! We hope this blog has you feeling the same.
Here’s to us, here’s to you, and here’s to 2022!