Implementing a digital strategy is a complex process requiring careful planning and coordination. Interestingly, one of the greatest barriers to success is not necessarily lack of planning, but lack of internal communication. So how can you ensure your digital strategy won’t fail? Here are some simple but effective tips.

1. Clarify Your Strategy

Firstly, you need to make sure your digital strategy is clear and that it aligns with your overall business goals. This will not only show your team why it is needed and how it directly involves them, but also help garner support from all levels of your organisation. 

2. Communicate it to Your Team

It’s crucial to communicate your strategy effectively so that others can collaborate successfully. Using internal messaging boards and department meetings are a great way of keeping the channels of communication open and showing how your digital strategy will inform everybody’s work.

3. Break it up into Tactics

Your digital strategy looks at elements that inform your marketing efforts, such as your target audience, your strengths and weaknesses, and your competitors. Conversely, tactics are the actions you take to execute your strategy, like testing content across social media channels or focusing on building high-quality backlinks. In essence, if strategy is ‘what’ you do, then tactics are ‘how’ you do it by breaking it down into small, practical, and achievable steps.

4. Create Achievable Targets

Next, once you have split your strategy up into manageable steps, communicate and delegate them to the relevant people. And don’t forget to ensure that you create a safe space for your team to ask questions and discuss any issues that arise.

5. Make Use of Technology

Last but not least, ensure you have the right technologies in place to not only facilitate the implementation of your strategy, but also to help staff communicate and brainstorm more effectively using online tools.

Written by Stephanie Clark