In other words -- good luck.
At Ascedia, we start every project with a strategic planning phase for one simple reason -- it works.
It saves time, money, and prevents the dreaded "oh no, we didn't think of that" moment halfway through the project. Have you ever been there?
In this blog post, we're going to break it down for you: what a Strategic Plan is, why it matters, and why you shouldn't even think about skipping it.
What the Heck is a Strategic Plan Anyway?
Glad you asked.A strategic plan is the blueprint that defines how we'll get from Point A (where you are today) to Point B (where your business wants to be).
It’s not a fluffy PowerPoint deck. It’s a practical, customized roadmap based on data, insights, and experience.
Our strategic plan covers:
- Business goals and KPIs (the real stuff that moves the needle)
- Target audiences and personas (spoiler: your audience is not “everyone”)
- Competitor analysis (what they’re doing right, wrong, and what we can do better)
- Channel recommendations (where to show up and how to show off)
- Creative direction (ads, landing pages, messaging—we’re not winging it)
Why Is It So Critical?
Well, like I pointed out a minute ago – without it, you’re driving blind. And you wouldn’t do that in any other part of your business, would you? Would you build a factory without an architect or launch a product without R&D?
So why would you skip the foundational step in your marketing?
Here’s why your strategic plan matters:
1. It Aligns Everyone
Ever been in a project where stakeholders aren’t on the same page? Marketing thinks the goal is leads. Sales wants better-qualified ones. And the CEO wants something else.
Hey, it happens. All. The. Time.
A strategic plan helps make sure everyone is pointed in the right direction.
2. It Uncovers What You Don’t Know
In our Discovery Workshops (90 minutes of high-octane marketing therapy), we dig deep into:
- Goals
- Brand assets
- Audience insights
- Internal team roles
- Budget constraints
- Market dynamics
You’d be surprised how many “ah-ha” moments pop up when we go through this. Sometimes, the real opportunity isn’t what you thought it was. And knowing that upfront is gold.
3. It Saves Time and Money
A good plan prevents rework. It prevents scope creep. It prevents launching with the wrong messaging, wrong creative, or wrong channel. Your investment in strategic planning could save you a ton of money and time.
You know the old saying: measure twice, cut once. This is the measuring phase.
4. It Helps You Stand Out
In a sea of sameness, strategy is your differentiator. When we do a competitive review (and we always do), we find gaps. Maybe your competition is ignoring a key audience. Maybe their message is outdated. Maybe they’re just phoning it in. This is where we help you punch above your weight.
So, What’s in the Box? (aka What Do You Get With Strategic Planning)
Here’s a quick snapshot of what you walk away with from our planning process:
Discovery Workshop
- Review goals, assets, and roles
- Define KPIs
- Understand your unique challenges
Competitive Analysis
- Review of 2–3 competitor sites
- Identification of key trends, positioning, and gaps
Audience Definition
- Creation of target personas
- Messaging strategy that motivates and converts
Channel & Budget Recommendations
- Spend by channel, by program, by target
- Platform-specific ideas that align with your goals
Creative Direction
- Initial ideas for ad units, landing pages, and messaging
- Recommendations for content formats and tone
Timeline & Execution Roadmap
- A plan to get it all done
- Executive team review and refinements based on your feedback
This isn't a theoretical exercise. It’s a hands-on collaboration that leads directly into campaign launch, content creation, or site redesign. It’s where real momentum starts.
What Happens If You Skip It?
I mean, you can skip it. You can also cut your own hair. But should you?In our experience, here’s what often happens when people skip planning:
- Campaigns go live late, over budget, or with the wrong message
- Internal teams are confused about priorities
- Leads come in, but they’re not the right kind
- Reporting is a mess because goals weren’t clear
What's worse, you end up with marketing debt—the time and money you’ll spend later fixing problems you could’ve avoided.
So, here’s Our Promise: Strategy That’s Actually Strategic
We’ve done this for nearly 25 years, from major brands to regional players. And our strategic planning process adapts to your business and industry.
We don’t do one-size-fits-all. What you get is custom, actionable, and grounded in real data relevant to YOUR business.
Ready to get started?
If you’re thinking about a campaign, rebuilding or refreshing your site, or just trying to make your digital efforts suck less work harder, then let’s figure out what will move the needle.
If you’re ready to talk, let’s connect.
