When the CEO announces the need for a new marketing plan, your team might feel overwhelmed by the sea of digital marketing strategies out there. But fear not! Corey Morris, the CEO of Voltage and an internationally acclaimed expert in the field, is here to guide you through the process. In this post, we’ll dive into Corey Morris’s Five Phases of Digital Marketing Success and how they can help you achieve outstanding results for your business.
Who is Corey Morris?
Corey Morris is not just another name in the digital marketing industry. With over two decades of experience, Morris has shaped the field with his innovative approaches and strategic insights. As the CEO of Voltage, a premier digital marketing, design, and web development company, he has been at the forefront of digital marketing evolution.
In his latest book, The Digital Marketing Success Plan: How to Avoid Poor Communication, Misaligned Expectations, and Wasted Dollars (2024, Indie Books International), Morris breaks down the complex world of digital marketing into actionable steps. His approach is all about creating a strategic marketing plan that drives ROI (return on investment) and avoids common pitfalls.
The Five Phases of Digital Marketing Success by Corey Morris
Corey Morris’s methodology, known as START, is designed to streamline the digital marketing process. Let’s explore each phase and how it can set your marketing efforts up for success.
1. Strategy: Crafting Your Digital Marketing Blueprint
The first phase in Morris’s START process is Strategy. This is where you lay the groundwork for your digital marketing efforts.
What You’ll Do:
- Understand Your Business: Dive deep into your business model, goals, and challenges.
- Set Clear Goals: Define what you want to achieve with your digital marketing efforts.
- Review Past Efforts: Analyse previous campaigns to identify what worked and what didn’t.
Why It Matters:
A well-thought-out strategy is the foundation of any successful digital marketing campaign. By understanding your business and setting clear goals, you set the stage for effective digital marketing.
Example: If you’re launching a new product, your strategy might involve increasing brand awareness, generating leads, and driving sales.
2. Tactics: Choosing the Right Tools for Your Goals
The second phase, Tactics, focuses on identifying and implementing the best methods to reach your objectives.
What You’ll Do:
- Explore Channels: Evaluate various marketing channels like SEO, Google Ads, and LinkedIn Sponsored Content.
- Map Out Outcomes: Determine how different tactics will help achieve your goals.
- Research and Estimate: Use tools and research to uncover opportunities.
Why It Matters:
Choosing the right tactics ensures that you’re using your resources effectively. Whether it’s SEO for organic growth or Google Ads for immediate visibility, the right tactics can make or break your campaign.
Example: For a new e-commerce site, you might focus on SEO for long-term growth and Google Ads for immediate traffic.
3. Application: Building Your Marketing Assets
In the Application phase, you’ll create all the necessary components for your campaign.
What You’ll Do:
- Define Assets: List everything you need, from ads and graphics to web pages and content.
- Develop Creatives: Create high-quality visuals and copy.
- Prepare for Launch: Get all your assets ready for the upcoming campaign.
Why It Matters:
Having a well-organised set of marketing assets ensures that your campaign runs smoothly. High-quality assets will also help make a strong impression on your target audience.
Example: For a product launch, you might need product images, promotional videos, and landing pages.
4. Review: Measuring Success and Accountability
The fourth phase, Review, is about tracking and analysing the performance of your campaign.
What You’ll Do:
- Set Up Measurement Tools: Create dashboards for tracking KPIs.
- Monitor Performance: Regularly review metrics like ROI, channel performance, and resource utilisation.
- Adjust as Needed: Be ready to pivot your strategies based on performance data.
Why It Matters:
Reviewing performance helps you understand what’s working and what isn’t. This phase ensures you’re accountable for your digital marketing investment and allows for adjustments to improve results.
Example: If your Google Ads campaign isn’t generating leads, you might adjust your ad copy or targeting.
5. Transformation: Keeping Your Marketing Plan Dynamic
The final phase, Transformation, focuses on adapting and evolving your strategies over time.
What You’ll Do:
- Schedule Tactics: Create a calendar for ongoing activities and optimisations.
- Craft a Comprehensive Plan: Develop a detailed schedule of tasks, experiments, and content pushes.
- Implement Agile Strategies: Be flexible and ready to adjust tactics based on results.
Why It Matters:
The Transformation phase ensures that your marketing efforts stay aligned with your goals and adapt to changes in the market. It’s about evolving your strategies for long-term success.
Example: For ongoing campaigns, this might include regular content updates and new ad variations based on performance data.
How Corey Morris’s START Process Ensures Digital Marketing Success
Corey Morris’s START process is more than just a set of steps. It’s a comprehensive approach to creating and managing successful digital marketing campaigns.
Here’s why it works:
- Structured Approach: By breaking down the process into clear phases, Morris ensures nothing is overlooked.
- Focus on ROI: Each phase is designed to maximise your return on investment.
- Adaptability: The process includes room for adjustments based on performance, ensuring long-term success.
Conclusion: Embrace the START Process for Digital Marketing Success
In conclusion, if you’re looking to elevate your digital marketing efforts, Corey Morris’s START process offers a proven roadmap for success. By following these five phases—Strategy, Tactics, Application, Review, and Transformation—you can create a solid foundation for your marketing campaigns and drive significant results.
Remember, digital marketing is an investment. A strategic approach, like the one Morris outlines, ensures that your resources are used effectively and that you achieve the best possible outcomes for your business.
