New Year, Better Marketing: 10 Tasks to Check Off Before Q1 Ends
As the new year kicks off and resolutions are fresh on your mind, it’s the perfect time to tackle your marketing to-do list and set yourself up for success in 2025. But here’s the deal: a little prep work now can save you from the “new year, new panic” scenario when January 1st rolls around. Whether you’re running your own digital marketing agency or managing campaigns for clients, this checklist is your secret weapon for closing out the year strong and strutting into 2025 like the marketing boss you are.
Ready to dive in? Let’s check off these 10 must-do tasks to start the year strong.
1. Audit Your Annual Marketing Performance
First things first: let’s get real about what worked and what didn’t last year. Dive into your analytics and look at key performance indicators (KPIs) for your biggest campaigns. Which ones crushed it? Which ones fell flat on their face? Identify patterns and trends so you can do more of what’s working and less of what’s, well, not.
Pro tip: Create a simple spreadsheet to track the highs and lows. It’ll make your 2025 planning way easier—and it’s super satisfying to see all your wins in one place.
2. Analyze Campaign ROI
Not all campaigns are created equal, and not all of them should make the cut for 2025. Break down your return on investment (ROI) for each major campaign this year. Did that flashy influencer partnership pay off? How about that pricey PPC campaign? Knowing where your dollars delivered will help you allocate next year’s budget with confidence.
Think about it: ROI isn’t just about dollars. Consider metrics like brand awareness, engagement, and audience growth, too.
Feel like your social media ROI could have been better? Good thing you have us! We wrote a whole blog on social media ROI and how to make it work for you!
3. Conduct a Website Check-Up
Your website is like your digital storefront—and nobody likes a broken door or flickering neon sign. Do a quick check-up to start the year strong:
Fix broken links (yes, even the sneaky ones on old blog posts).
Update outdated content and images.
Check your site speed and mobile optimization.
A fresh website = a happy Google = a better chance of your dream clients finding you.
4. Review Your Marketing Budget
Time to face the numbers. How’d you do against your 2024 budget? Did you overspend, underspend, or hit the sweet spot? If you’ve got leftover funds (lucky you!), think about how to use them wisely before year’s end. Maybe a last-minute holiday campaign? Or investing in tools or training to level up in 2025?
Money talks, but planning whispers sweet nothings. Don’t leave it hanging!
5. Plan This Year’s Marketing Budget
Take those 2024 insights and turn them into a rock-solid 2025 budget. Look at what’s trending upward (hello, short-form video!) and what’s losing steam. Allocate funds based on ROI and your agency’s goals for the new year.
Pro tip: Build in a little wiggle room for experimentation. Marketing’s all about trying new things, after all.
6. Update Customer and Email Lists
Let’s Marie Kondo your email lists. Clean out the inactive subscribers who haven’t opened your emails since the dinosaurs roamed the earth. Segment your audience for more targeted campaigns. A little list hygiene now can mean higher open rates and happier clients in the new year.
Segmenting is like matchmaking for marketers: give people what they actually want, and everyone wins.
7. Refresh Your Brand Assets
When was the last time you took a good look at your brand assets? We’re talking logos, templates, social media visuals—the whole shebang. Make sure everything is up-to-date and consistent with your brand’s vibe for 2025.
Pro tip: Start brainstorming fresh designs or updates for any big rebrands or campaigns planned for Q2-4.
Or contact us to make sure your 2025 digital marketing materials (socials, emails, and ads, oh my!) are exactly what you want them to be.
8. Check On Your Campaigns
Now that the holidays are over and the new year is here, check on your campaigns! Don’t let the traction from the end of the year go stale and use it to boost your ads in 2025.
Here’s a good starting point to refresh those campaigns:
Double-check tracking and analytics.
Tweak copy or visuals if needed.
Monitor performance and optimize as you go.
Think of it like setting the tone at a party: nail the opening vibe, and your guests (aka your audience) will stay engaged and excited all night long.
9. Prepare a Q1 Content Calendar
Kick off the new year without the dreaded “What should we post?” panic. Map out your Q1 campaigns, blog posts, and social media content now. It doesn’t have to be perfect—just a solid roadmap to keep you on track.
Pro tips:
Use tools like Trello to organize your ideas and assign tasks. Bonus points for color coding!
Use our Reels & TikTok Planning Sheet to keep your content fresh and organized!
Check out our blog on Content Batching to save time in 2025!
10. Set New Marketing Goals
New year, new goals. Think big, but keep it realistic. Want to double your social media engagement? Launch a new service? Expand your client roster? Break your goals into bite-sized, quarterly milestones so you can actually measure your progress.
Remember: Goals should be SMART—Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound.
Final Thoughts
And there you have it! Your ultimate new-year marketing checklist. Knock out these 10 tasks, and you’ll cruise through Q1 feeling like the marketing rockstar you are. Plus, your future self will totally thank you when February rolls around, and you’re already ahead of the game.
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Until next time,
The HM Team
