While we’re happy 2020 is over and 2021 is here, we still can’t believe how quickly it flew by. It went so fast it felt like our team was planning for 2021 before we knew it. What about your team? Have you thought about your inbound marketing efforts for 2021?
If you haven’t, there’s no need to stress. Being agile is key to strong marketing campaigns and results, but it also helps to have a general idea of what you want to do each month or quarter. If we somehow made you feel overwhelmed, we have a gift to help you get ready to tackle the new year.
The Ultimate 2021 Inbound Marketing Template!
So, What Is the Template?
At its most basic level, it’s a guide (on an easy to edit spreadsheet) to your 2021 inbound marketing efforts and activities. It may be perfect for you, you may want to modify it, or maybe you’ll use it as a jumping-off point to create your own 2021 template. Whichever way you see fit to use it (or not use it) is A-OK.
What’s Included?
Our sample template has several sections you can use to build out your complete inbound marketing plan for next year. It includes:
SMART Goals
SMART stands for Specific, Measurable, and Achievable, Relevant, and Time-based goals. You use SMART goals to establish a set of criteria that makes sure your marketing goals are attainable. Our template offers ideas of SMART goals like “website visitors.” Then you can choose the amount, the time frame, and how you plan to get to that number.
Marketing Roadmap
We love a good roadmap at Lynton. Without one, how would we get to where we want to go? Our example roadmap is a month-by-month plan on how you’ll launch your marketing initiatives. For example, if you’re going to deploy your first SMS campaign in February, you’ll mark that goal in the month with notes, the project’s status, the expected launch date, and any results. You can do the same for things like reports, content marketing, and sales efforts.
Content Matrix
The content matrix within the template is a repository for you to keep track of your initiatives and any keywords and CTAs you are linking to those initiatives. The matrix is also meant for you to link initiatives to your personas and stage in the funnel.
Think: You want to write and design a checklist. The content matrix will have that content type, keywords, CTAs, persona, stage in buyer’s journey, content title, and status. You can fill this out for every month starting with January.
Idea Bank
Have an idea that needs fleshing out? Put in the templates idea bank or a section dedicated to upcoming initiatives that need to be worked into the roadmap or content matrix.
Download the Ultimate 2021 Inbound Marketing Template Today!
You may not use this template precisely as we do, which, as we noted, is fine. You need to be agile. You also need a plan you can update and tweak throughout the year. You also need a single point of truth for marketing activities and metrics, and maybe this template will be the start of it. The only way to know for sure is to download it and give it a try!