There’s no denying the COVID-19 pandemic rekindled consumers’ love for puzzles. In 2021 alone, puzzle sales reached $833 million and analysts project continued market growth in 20221. The item’s popularity caught our attention as one of the hottest trends for 2022, but that’s not the only noteworthy aspect of puzzle building.
Assembling a jigsaw puzzle requires many of the same fundamentals necessary to develop a promotional strategy that produces measurable, meaningful results. Think back to the last time you worked on a puzzle. Did you look for the corner pieces to establish a framework? Did you group the pieces together by likeness or color?
Reflecting on these fundamentals can take your marketing or promotional campaign to the next level, so let’s make sure you’re seeing the big picture. These puzzle assembly fundamentals involve…
1. Establishing a Plan
Set the stage and define your parameters. When solving a puzzle, this step could involve determining which elements of the image to build out first or how to organize the pieces. You’re mapping out the sequence of each step before taking action to ensure each move is calculated.
In your campaign, this is the time to map out a timeline, determine the best use of promotional products to complement your strategy, define your target audience, and determine the value your campaign will bring to its end user. Does each tactic have a purpose? Will all tactics fit together nicely to enhance the campaign at-large? What is the desired call to action?
Answering these questions early on can help you maintain consistency throughout the campaign and keep your budget on track.
2. Building the Framework
Now that there’s a plan in place, it’s the time to start putting the pieces together. Use the plan you outlined in the last section to solidify a SMART goal that is specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-based2.
Determine how you’ll measure success. Are you looking to increase new orders month-over-month by 20% in Q1? Great! Then orders placed by first-time customers during the campaign will be counted toward your goal.
Finally, connect with any members of the team that will need to dedicate their time to preparation and execution. With 1 in 4 Americans working from home in 2021 and similar trends projected for the upcoming year3, it’s more important than ever to maintain good communication to ensure everyone is aware of their responsibilities. This is a great time to consider how the support of Proforma and its partners can help your team reach their goals!
3. Recruiting a Helping Hand
The foundation of your puzzle is there, but there’s something missing. Even an avid puzzle enthusiast can benefit from a helping hand. Assistance during assembly can offer a fresh perspective, streamline the process, and validate the steps in your strategy.
The support of Proforma in your next promotional campaign can offer you all of this, and more! From marketing collateral development to product fulfillment, Proforma has the expertise and resources to support the execution of your next strategy leading to exceptional results.
4. Filling in the gaps
Your puzzle is nearing completion! There are a few pieces remaining but you can almost see the big picture. In your promotional campaign, execution is the name of the game but that doesn’t mean your plan should be set in stone. It’s key to monitor your metrics from start to finish and adjust your strategy as needed to ensure you’re always moving in the right direction.
So, What is the Big Picture?
Your campaign is complete! So, what is the big picture? The big picture symbolizes how a campaign fits into your organization’s long-term objectives. It can involve…
- How your tactics fit together to form a campaign strategy
- How your strategy accomplishes a measurable goal
- How your promotional strategy brings value to your business and its bottom line
Whether you’re trying to generate leads, convert prospects, or keep your employees happy, Proforma and its partners will piece together the right strategy to help you see the big picture and underscore your bottom line.
Schedule a call with our team today to discuss your 2022 promotional strategy!
