Marketing (and business) is all about creativity and innovation, but sometimes even the most talented creatives, business owners, or professionals can find themselves in a rut. Whether you work in marketing, run a small business, or work for a non-profit, you’ve likely experienced a time when your campaigns feel stagnant or you can’t seem to come up with any new ideas. The good news is that getting out of a rut and getting past marketing burnout is totally possible.

Here are some tips to help you refresh your marketing approach and reignite your creativity:

1. Go Back to the Basics: When you’re feeling stuck, it can be helpful to revisit the basics of marketing. Read up on marketing fundamentals like audience personas, targeting, and positioning. Sometimes, going back to the basics can help you see things from a fresh perspective, and you might find some new insights that you can apply to your current campaigns and develop innovative marketing ideas.
2. Seek Inspiration: One of the best ways to beat marketing fatigue is to seek marketing inspiration from other sources. There are many ways you can do this; you could look outside of your industry and explore different types of marketing campaigns, from print ads to social media campaigns. Analyze what works and what doesn’t work in these campaigns, and think about how you can apply those insights to your own marketing efforts. I also find that scheduling breaks throughout the day, and getting outside for a brisk walk can help me reset.
3. Get Feedback: It can be difficult to see where you’re going wrong when you’re stuck in a marketing rut. Gathering feedback from others can help you identify areas where you can improve. Reach out to colleagues, mentors, or close clients/donors, and ask for their honest opinions about your marketing campaigns. Be open to constructive criticism, and use that feedback to make adjustments to your approach.
4. Collaborate with Others: Collaborating with other people can be a great way to break out of a marketing rut. Reach out to other people in your industry or network, and brainstorm some new ideas together. Don’t have a marketing lead within your business? Consider contracting a marketing company for your next campaign or hiring some outside design support. Sometimes, all it takes is bouncing ideas off of someone else to spark creativity and come up with fresh ideas.
5. Experiment with New Ideas: If you’ve been relying on the same marketing channels or collateral for a while, it might be time to refresh your materials. For example, if you are a non-profit, have you refreshed your annual report in the last few years? If you run an e-commerce platform, when was the last time you looked at your user’s journey in your online store? Or maybe you need a brand audit to understand how your brand is showing up in your industry.
6. Conduct Research: Doing research arms you with some powerful tools when it comes to marketing and conducting market research can be a great way to get out of a marketing rut. Whether that is using surveys or focus groups to gather insights from your target audience about their needs and preferences or doing a SWOT analysis to better understand where you currently stand within your market space, research can help you tailor your marketing efforts to better meet your goals and stand out from your competitors.
7. Refresh Your Brand: Sometimes, refreshing your brand can help you break out of a marketing rut. Rebranding can be a big undertaking, but even updates like refreshing your logo or updating your website can help you present a fresh face to your customers. This can help you attract new customers and reignite the interest of existing ones.
8. Get Outside Your Comfort Zone: Finally, sometimes the best way to get out of a marketing rut is to get outside your comfort zone. Try new things, take risks, and don’t be afraid to fail. By pushing yourself to try new approaches, you might stumble upon a winning strategy that you never would have discovered otherwise.

Getting out of a marketing rut might seem like a daunting task, but all it requires is a combination of creativity, collaboration, and a willingness to try new things. By seeking inspiration, getting feedback, and experimenting with new approaches, you can refresh your marketing strategy and re-engage your audience. Remember, marketing is all about adapting to changing environments and customer needs, so don’t be afraid to pivot your strategy as needed. With these tips, you can break out of your marketing rut and find success in your campaigns.

Want a fresh perspective on your marketing ideas? Let’s book a call.

Feeling energized to refresh your fundraising strategy? Check out 7 Steps to Plan Your 2023 Fundraising Strategy.