The Levels of Marketing: From Beginner to Expert – Where Are You, and How Can You Level Up?
Every business’s marketing journey is different. Some are just starting to build an online presence, while others have mastered brand strategy and are seeing consistent results. Whether you’re a beginner, somewhere in the middle, or aiming for expert-level marketing, there’s always room to grow. Here’s a breakdown of the different levels of marketing, with examples of what each stage looks like, and tips for leveling up your marketing game.
Level 1: Beginner – Building the Basics
Where You Are:
At the beginner level, you’re just getting started. You might have a basic website and a few social media profiles, but you haven’t yet established a clear marketing plan or brand voice. Most of your efforts are reactive rather than planned, and you’re still figuring out what resonates with your audience.
What This Stage Looks Like:
You have a website, but it may lack consistent branding or messaging.
You’re on social media but may not post regularly.
You’re focused on establishing a basic online presence rather than a detailed marketing strategy.
Example:
Let’s say you run a small coffee shop. You’ve created a website with your location and hours, and you have Instagram and Facebook pages. However, you’re only posting occasionally, and the posts vary in style and tone, lacking a consistent look and feel.
Tips for Leveling Up:
Create a Posting Schedule: Start by setting a simple goal, like posting once or twice a week on social media. Consistency is key for building an audience.
Define Your Brand Voice: Choose a tone that aligns with your brand. Are you fun and approachable, or more polished and professional? Use this tone in every post.
Optimize Your Website: Make sure your website is clear, easy to navigate, and includes important information like contact details and social media links. Try to include a call-to-action (CTA), such as “Visit Us Today” or “Sign Up for Our Newsletter,” to encourage visitors to engage.
Level 2: Intermediate – Building Consistency
Where You Are:
In the intermediate stage, you’re actively posting on social media, and you’ve started exploring different types of content (like videos or stories). However, your posting schedule might be inconsistent, and you don’t yet have a fully fleshed-out strategy. You’re starting to see some engagement but haven’t established a clear brand or regular cadence for content creation.
What This Stage Looks Like:
You’re posting on social media but not consistently.
You’re experimenting with different content types but without a clear purpose.
You have some idea of what your audience likes, but your brand and messaging are still evolving.
Example:
Imagine you run a boutique clothing store. You post on Instagram, Facebook, and occasionally TikTok, sharing product photos, sales, and customer shoutouts. Sometimes you’re active, posting multiple times a week, but then you’ll skip a week or two, depending on how busy you are. You’ve dabbled in Reels but haven’t fully committed to a content style.
Tips for Leveling Up:
Create a Content Calendar: Plan content a month in advance, assigning themes or topics to each week. This will help you stay consistent and ensure you’re delivering value.
Establish Key Brand Elements: Develop consistent colors, fonts, and a style for your posts. If your brand is vibrant and playful, use bright colors and energetic captions to match.
Engage with Your Audience Regularly: Respond to comments, ask questions, and interact with followers. Building relationships with your audience leads to more meaningful engagement.
Experiment with Analytics: Look at insights to see which posts are performing well. Use this data to inform future content, focusing on what your audience engages with most.
Level 3: Expert – Strategically Driving Growth
Where You Are:
At the expert level, you have a well-defined brand, a clear marketing strategy, and a consistent content schedule. You’re using data to drive decisions, and your marketing is aligned with specific goals. You’re not just posting content for the sake of it – each post, email, and campaign has a purpose that aligns with your overall strategy. You’ve likely set up paid ads or campaigns to drive specific results, like lead generation or sales.
What This Stage Looks Like:
Your brand is consistent across all platforms, with clear messaging and visual identity.
You have a content strategy that supports your goals, with a mix of content types (like blog posts, videos, and stories).
You use data and analytics to refine your approach, identifying what drives the best results.
You’re leveraging email marketing, paid ads, and targeted campaigns to boost engagement and conversions.
Example:
Imagine you own a health and wellness brand. You post consistently on Instagram, run a blog, and have a monthly email newsletter. Your social media posts are visually cohesive, and you’ve built a community that regularly interacts with your content. You run seasonal campaigns, promote your products with targeted Facebook and Instagram ads, and measure the ROI of each campaign. You also use analytics to identify what your audience responds to most and adjust your content accordingly.
Tips for Staying on Track:
Set Clear KPIs and Goals: Every campaign or post should have a purpose – whether it’s to drive sales, increase email sign-ups, or boost engagement. Set specific KPIs for each goal.
Refine Your Target Audience: Regularly revisit your audience insights to ensure you’re reaching the right people. Refine targeting for paid ads based on audience behavior and demographics.
Create Evergreen Content: Develop content that remains relevant over time (like blog posts, tutorials, or resource guides) to attract new customers and build SEO value.
Invest in Automation Tools: Use scheduling tools like Hootsuite, Buffer, or Sprout Social to streamline posting and analyze performance. Email automation tools like Mailchimp or ActiveCampaign can help maintain consistency with newsletters and targeted campaigns.
Where Do You Go from Here?
Moving from one level to the next isn’t about achieving perfection – it’s about taking consistent steps to build a stronger brand and connect with your audience. Here’s a quick recap of steps to take at each level:
Beginner: Focus on establishing your online presence, developing a consistent posting schedule, and optimizing your website.
Intermediate: Build a content calendar, define your brand elements, and engage regularly with your audience to create more meaningful connections.
Expert: Set clear goals, use analytics to drive decisions, and create a strategy that aligns with your business objectives. Invest in automation and evergreen content for long-term growth.
Every business’s journey is unique, so don’t rush the process. By identifying where you are and taking strategic steps forward, you’ll build a brand that not only reaches more people but also leaves a lasting impact. Remember, marketing isn’t just about reaching the masses – it’s about creating value, connecting with your audience, and driving growth that aligns with your vision.
