I asked my audience:“If you were to go into 2025 with ONE marketing learning from last year, which would you take with you?” Their responses blew me away!
Their insights hit every corner of modern marketing, from relationship-building to omnichannel strategies. Forget listening to me—here are eight invaluable lessons directly from the pros, just in time to sharpen your 2025 strategy.
1. Solutions over self
“Clients buy solutions, not individuals. Be the provider of solutions, not the solution itself.”— Sam Sierra
This one’s pure gold. Your audience isn’t here for you—they’re here for what you can solve for them. Frame your offers around tangible outcomes, not your résumé. It’s the essence of content marketing: creating resources that solve real problems for your audience while driving them toward your services.
2. Shape your brand
“Proactively craft your image, or others will do it for you.”— Nikolaj Knudsen
Control the narrative. Whether through your content, visual identity, or tone, actively define your brand. Otherwise, your audience (or worse, competitors) will fill in the blanks—and they might not get it right. As a writer, this is also crucial for understanding how to make money as a writer: a strong personal brand attracts higher-paying opportunities.
3. Build relationships first
“Relationship-building trumps all other marketing activities.”— Renee Lynn Frojo
Trust is the currency of marketing in 2025. Spend less time obsessing over the perfect pitch and more time genuinely connecting with your audience. Strong relationships are the ultimate ROI, especially for writers leveraging content marketing to grow their income and build lasting client relationships.
4. Value-driven outreach
“Reach out with value, and don't hesitate to showcase your worth.”— Vinod Cumar
Cold DMs? Spammy emails? Skip them. Instead, lead with solutions tailored to your audience’s needs. When they see your value immediately, the conversation shifts from “Why you?” to “How soon can we start?” For writers looking to grow their income, this approach can open doors to lucrative partnerships and repeat work.
5. Video + storytelling = bold branding
“Combine video with storytelling for highly impactful content.”— Beatrice Gutknecht
In a world of scroll-stopping content, video + storytelling is your secret weapon. Think authentic, human-centred narratives that captivate your audience while showcasing your brand’s personality. For those in content marketing, combining these elements creates a powerful way to connect and convert.
6. Know your audience
“Understand who you want to serve and stick to your vision despite external opinions.”— Billy Zerillo
It’s tempting to try and please everyone, but clarity wins. Define your audience, craft messaging that speaks directly to them, and stay laser-focused. Whether you’re creating a content marketing plan or figuring out how to make money as a writer, understanding your audience is the foundation of success.
7. Prospecting is 1:1 marketing
“Unless you're doing it at scale, then it’s just marketing. And prospecting should feel personal, even at scale.”— Trevor van Woerden
Here’s the trick: scale and stay personal. Whether through tailored emails, dynamic landing pages, or customised outreach, ensure each prospect feels like they’re the only one in the room. Writers in content marketing can use this approach to secure consistent, high-quality clients who value a personal touch.
8. Go omnichannel before it’s too late
“Diversify your marketing platforms—LinkedIn users can be overly cautious.”— Goodness David
Don’t put all your eggs in one platform. Your audience isn’t just on LinkedIn (or Instagram or TikTok). Meet them where they are—everywhere they are. For writers and content creators, going omnichannel expands your reach and opens up more ways to generate income through varied opportunities.
Which is your favourite marketing tip?
From omnichannel marketing to relationship-driven tactics, these lessons are a blueprint for a standout 2025 marketing strategy. Which one resonates with you the most?
Drop a comment and let me know—I’d love to hear how you plan to level up your game in the year ahead.
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