{"id":2903,"date":"2025-08-01T00:59:26","date_gmt":"2025-08-01T00:59:26","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/violethoward.com\/new\/get-your-management-team-to-buy-into-a-marketing-strategy\/"},"modified":"2025-08-01T00:59:26","modified_gmt":"2025-08-01T00:59:26","slug":"get-your-management-team-to-buy-into-a-marketing-strategy","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/violethoward.com\/new\/get-your-management-team-to-buy-into-a-marketing-strategy\/","title":{"rendered":"Get Your Management Team To Buy Into a Marketing Strategy"},"content":{"rendered":"


\n<\/p>\n

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\"Buy<\/p>\n

How exactly do you get your management team to buy into a marketing strategy? Have you ever had your management team agree on something unanimously?<\/p>\n

If I were a betting man, I\u2019d say probably not. And, that\u2019s just how things are \u2013 just imagine how dull the world would be if we were all in agreement all the time.<\/p>\n

That\u2019s why facing a challenge like implementing a new marketing strategy can be so tiring. Not only do you have to develop the strategy \u2013 which will definitely take up a fair amount of time and resources \u2013 you also have to get your management team to support the plan.<\/p>\n

Understand Your Team and Organization<\/b><\/h3>\n

Before you get your management team to buy into a marketing strategy, you need to understand who your audience is. Fusion Workshop states you should study and understand \u201cthe strategic aims of your organization.\u201d In other words, what are the goals and objectives most important to the current, as well as future, state of your business?<\/p>\n

Six common \u201cstrategic business goals are in the areas of market share, financial resources, physical resources, productivity, innovation, and action planning.\u201d Being aware of this can help you \u201calign your vision to the short and long-term goals of your organization.\u201d<\/p>\n

Besides understanding the goals of your organization, you need to also understand the team members \u201cwho will be working towards these aims.\u201d When you know what motivates them, you can tap into these motivators to get them on board.<\/p>\n

\"Management<\/p>\n

Gain Allies<\/b><\/h3>\n

Sean Power has an interesting anecdote in an article he wrote for Content Marketing Institute. It\u2019s about an employee who tried to get his boss on board with a content marketing strategy.<\/p>\n

The employee had prepared everything for a presentation \u2013 \u201cresearch papers, cost-benefit analyses, case studies, potential solutions, and the pros and cons of several possible options.\u201d What happened? The boss instead took advice from his \u201cgolf buddy\u201d because he trusted him.<\/p>\n

In the professional world, we listen to our peers we can trust, our confidants. If you want to sell team members on an idea, then make sure that you have an established working relationship.<\/p>\n

That doesn\u2019t mean you have to play golf together every week, but you need some sort of rapport \u2013 whether that\u2019s going to lunch once a week or sharing ideas \u2013 if you want them to be on your side.<\/p>\n

And, who knows? That person could have a great relationship with another credible team member.<\/p>\n

Engaging Your Team in Strategy Development<\/h3>\n

One effective approach to getting your management team to buy into a marketing strategy is to involve them in its development. This participatory approach not only garners buy-in but also leverages the diverse skills and insights within the team.<\/p>\n

By creating a collaborative environment where each member contributes to shaping the strategy, you foster a sense of ownership and commitment to the plan\u2019s success.<\/p>\n

Let Team Members Share Their Knowledge<\/b><\/h3>\n

If you really want to get your management team to buy into a marketing strategy<\/span>, then give them a chance to share their knowledge, experience, and ideas. John Hall gives an example\u00a0at\u00a0Forbes about how Centro got their engineers involved with a content marketing strategy. By letting the engineers create content, Centro not only boosted its\u00a0credibility, it\u00a0also improved team morale by getting everyone involved.<\/p>\n

Hall also states that this can unify a company \u2013 even across departments. For example, \u201cif engineers develop content showcasing their expertise, PR can also use it to draw positive attention to the company. PR can then work with the social media team or customer service to maximize its reach.\u201d<\/p>\n

In short, give your management team a chance to have some input into the formation of a marketing strategy. If they are a part of it from the beginning, it will be easier for them to buy into it since they helped create it.<\/p>\n

Utilizing Data-Driven Arguments<\/h3>\n

Data speaks volumes. Present your marketing strategy backed by solid data and research. Show how the strategy aligns with market trends, customer preferences, and competitive analysis. Demonstrating the potential ROI of the strategy through data-driven arguments can be a persuasive tool in winning your team\u2019s support.<\/p>\n

\"Management<\/p>\n

Demonstrate the Strategy\u2019s Value<\/b><\/h3>\n

To demonstrate the value of a strategy, you\u2019re going to have to effectively communicate it to the other management team members. Here are a\u00a0couple of pointers to keep in mind.<\/p>\n

You should avoid jargon\u00a0and\u00a0always have an elevator pitch prepared that\u00a0focuses on the benefits of the strategy. \u00a0And, you may very well have to make a presentation.<\/p>\n

Joe Griffin detailed an excellent format on Content Marketing Institute for an effective presentation. He recommends that your presentation format be as follows:<\/p>\n

    \n
  • State your intention<\/li>\n
  • State the current situation<\/li>\n
  • Define content marketing and its value<\/li>\n
  • Bridge the gap<\/li>\n
  • Define your action plan<\/li>\n
  • Make the ask<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

    Griffin adds that you need to\u00a0\u201cbe clear, friendly, and confident.\u201d Make sure that you\u2019re also prepared for questions and try to implement the Guy Kawasaki-championed \u201c10\/20\/30 rule.\u201d<\/p>\n

    Offering Training and Development Opportunities<\/h3>\n

    Implementing a new marketing strategy often requires new skills or understanding. Offering training and development opportunities to your management team can help them feel more comfortable and competent in supporting the strategy.<\/p>\n

    This not only aids in the execution of the strategy but also contributes to personal and professional growth within your team.<\/p>\n

    \"Management<\/p>\n

    Give it a Test Drive<\/b><\/h3>\n

    If anything, you\u2019ve at least gotten the interest of your management team if you\u2019ve followed the suggestions from above. But, one of the best ways to get them sold on your strategy is by testing it out and reviewing results. Kapost suggests that you do this internally, but if you want to see what happens in the real-world, here are some deciding factors on how effective your strategy is:<\/p>\n

      \n
    • Immediate gains:<\/b> Facebook likes, reTweets, LinkedIn shares, etc.<\/li>\n
    • Baseline everything:<\/b> Use services different tools like Searchmetric\u2019s SEO management software and Moz\u2019s rank tracker to help track data and relevant keywords.<\/li>\n
    • Back-links:<\/b> How many inbound links did you receive?<\/li>\n
    • Leads\/Sales:<\/b> <\/strong>How many visitors and sales did you make following the release of your marketing strategy?<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

      Setting Short-Term Goals and Milestones<\/h3>\n

      To maintain momentum and keep your team engaged, set short-term goals and milestones within your marketing strategy. This approach allows for quick wins and regular progress checks, providing tangible evidence of the strategy\u2019s impact and keeping the team motivated and aligned.<\/p>\n

      \"Management<\/p>\n

      Creating Consensus: Winning Support for Your Marketing Strategy<\/h2>\n

      In the dynamic landscape of business, achieving unanimous agreement within a management team is a rarity. Differing viewpoints and perspectives are what fuel innovation and spark progress. Yet, the challenge of rallying a diverse management team behind a new marketing strategy can be daunting.<\/p>\n

      Crafting the strategy itself is one endeavor, but securing your team\u2019s endorsement is another feat altogether.<\/p>\n

      Understanding the Orchestra: <\/strong>The Orchestra: Your Team and Your Organization<\/em> Before embarking on the journey of getting your management team on board, it\u2019s imperative to grasp the intricacies of your organization.<\/p>\n

      Understand its strategic aims and objectives, as well as the core goals that drive its present and future. Whether it\u2019s market share expansion, financial growth, innovation, or more, aligning your vision with these overarching goals can pave the way for smoother buy-in.<\/p>\n

      Yet, it\u2019s not just about organizational aims. Comprehending the individuals that form your management team is equally pivotal. Uncover what motivates each member, and tailor your approach to align with these motivators.<\/p>\n

      By acknowledging their personal stakes, you can craft a strategy that resonates on a deeper level.<\/p>\n

      Regular Strategy Review and Feedback Sessions<\/h3>\n

      Establish regular review and feedback sessions where the management team can discuss the marketing strategy\u2019s progress and challenges. This open forum encourages ongoing dialogue, allows for course corrections, and ensures that the strategy remains relevant and effective.<\/p>\n

      Highlighting Success Stories and Case Studies<\/h3>\n

      Share success stories and case studies of similar marketing strategies that have yielded positive results. These real-life examples can serve as powerful testimonials to the effectiveness of your proposed strategy, providing the team with confidence in its potential success.<\/p>\n