Tools

Just when you think you’ve tried everything, something new comes along. At first, you’re a little scared to try it because change is hard and scary. But then, sometimes if you embrace the change, great things will happen.

We’re still talking about marketing, aren’t we? That’s right—there are the tried and true tactics of marketing, but as the world evolves so do our tactics. That’s why you should consider an agile marketing plan. It won’t be for everybody, but it might be for your business. Read about it and then decide for yourself.

What It Is
Agile Marketing sounds scary but it’s easy to understand when you consider the root of the words. Forbes.com recently described the process. The word “agile” suggests that something is quick. Agile marketing is just that. Before you get defensive about not spending the proper time and care on your business’s marketing efforts, consider this—agile marketing simply takes a larger marketing plan and breaks it up into smaller “sprints.” These sprints take place in small teams with everybody working toward the major goal.

Why It Works
Sometimes with big projects, it’s easy to lose focus. Have you ever been a part of a project that seems too big and far fetched to ever come to fruition? Many of us have been there. Everybody starts out energized and ready to tackle the project, but by the end sometimes you forget why you even started.

With agile marketing and different sprints, your teams will become reenergized with each new planning session and the end of each new sprint. Experts recommend sprints of anywhere from one to four weeks at a time.

How You Can Use It
Try easing into agile marketing with your next campaign. Start with the overarching goal to accomplish, then narrow down how you’ll achieve that end goal with smaller sprints. Plan for the first sprint, and don’t forget to provide updates.

Remember, agile marketing is not for every business; but don’t be scared to give it a try just because it’s different. Your business can benefit from all different types of practices. In order to break through and innovate, you might need to forge a new path. Agile marketing might be a good option for innovation.