SMART GOALS What they are and Why you should use it (and a Freebie!)
- Andre de Almeida
- Mar 15, 2024
- 2 min read
You were frustrated. Your social media content looked amazing, but website traffic remained still. Vague goals like "get more customers" just weren't working. You needed a clear direction, a way to measure success and a reason to celebrate wins. Then, you heard about SMART goals.
SMART stands for Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound. Instead of a vague goal, a SMART goal for your situation might be: "Increase website traffic from social media by 20% within the next quarter." To achieve this, you could plan to post engaging content twice a week, run a targeted social media ad campaign, and track website visits originating from social media.
With a clear plan in place, you felt more focused. You created short video snippets, wrote compelling captions, and even launched a contest with small prizes. By the end of the quarter, your website traffic had jumped by 25%! This success was due to the clarity and measurability of your SMART goal. You could now celebrate your progress and adapt your strategy for future campaigns.
You realised that SMART goals offered a structured approach to marketing. By setting clear objectives and tracking progress, you could achieve better results and celebrate your wins along the way.
What's this SMART Goal thing all about?
SMART stands for Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound.
Why are SMART Goals so awesome for small businesses?
Clarity & Focus: No more getting lost in a maze of vague aspirations. SMART goals keep you on track and laser-focused.
Motivation & Tracking: Clear goals keep you pumped and give you a way to measure your progress. Celebrate those wins along the way!
Efficiency Boost: Focusing on achievable goals means you avoid wasting time and resources on unrealistic pursuits.
Let's break down the SMART parts:
Specific: Be super clear about what you want to achieve. Like, really clear.
Example: Increase website traffic from social media by 20%.
Measurable: Define ways to track your progress. Numbers are your friend here!
Example: Track website visits from social media referrals.
Achievable: Set ambitious but realistic goals based on your resources (time, budget, etc.). Don't aim for the moon just yet!
Example: A 20% increase is ambitious but doable based on past performance.
Relevant: Does this goal fit your overall marketing strategy?
Example: Increased website traffic leads to more leads and sales - bingo!
Time-bound: Set a clear deadline to create a sense of urgency and keep things moving.
Example: Achieve the 20% increase within the next quarter.
Bonus Tip: With a tool like Miro Board, you can keep things visual and simple to manage.
Free SMART Goal Cheat Sheet: Your Marketing Toolkit!
To help you on your marketing quest, I've created a free, downloadable SMART Goal Cheat Sheet! This template will guide you through defining your goals and keeping them on track.
What's in this Cheat Sheet, you ask?
A clear explanation of the SMART breakdown
An example SMART goal for marketing
Space to define your own SMART goals
Sections for action steps, resources, tracking progress, and any extra notes
Using SMART goals and my free cheat sheet, you'll be well on your way to achieving your marketing goals and attracting more visitors to your website. Remember, SMART goals are your secret weapon for marketing success!
