Marketing Planning for the Next Financial Year

  • by Elaine Tibbatts
  • •
  • 06 Mar, 2025
  • •

Are You Aligned with the Tax Year?

As the new financial year approaches, now is the perfect time to review, refine, and refresh your marketing strategy. Whether your business follows the April-to-March tax year or operates on a different cycle, aligning your marketing planning with your financial calendar can help you maximise budget efficiency, drive better results, and set clear growth goals.

Why Align Your Marketing Plan with the Financial Year?

Budget Clarity

Ensuring your marketing spend aligns with your financial year helps you plan strategically without overspending or underinvesting.

Performance Tracking 

Syncing with the tax year allows you to review past performance, adjust strategies, and measure ROI effectively.

Strategic Decision-Making

Planning ahead helps you allocate resources to high-impact campaigns and seize seasonal opportunities.

Steps to Plan Your Marketing for the Next Financial Year

1. Review Your Current Marketing Performance

Before planning ahead, take a step back and evaluate your past year’s marketing activities:

  • What worked well? (e.g., social media, email marketing, PPC ads)
  • What underperformed? (e.g., low engagement campaigns, poor lead conversion)
  • Where did you see the highest return on investment (ROI)?

Use this data to make informed decisions moving forward.

 

2. Set Clear Marketing Goals

Define what success looks like for your business in the next financial year:

  • Brand Awareness – Grow your audience and increase visibility.
  • Lead Generation – Attract more potential customers.
  • Sales Growth – Convert leads into paying customers.
  • Customer Retention – Strengthen relationships with existing customers.

Having SMART goals (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Time-bound) ensures a focused and results-driven approach.

 

3. Allocate Your Marketing Budget Wisely

A well-planned budget prevents overspending and ensures you invest in the right channels. Consider:

  • Digital Marketing (SEO, social media ads, PPC, content marketing)
  • Traditional Marketing (print, events, sponsorships)
  • Tools & Software (CRM, automation platforms, analytics tools)
  • Outsourcing vs. In-House (Do you need external marketing support?)

Tip: Leave room for flexibility—unexpected opportunities or shifts in the market may require adjustments.

 

4. Align Your Marketing Calendar with Business Priorities

Plan your campaigns around key dates:

  • Seasonal Trends – Does your business have peak sales periods?
  • Industry Events & Trade Shows – Are there major networking opportunities?
  • Product Launches & Promotions – Do you have new offerings in the pipeline?

A well-structured calendar ensures consistent and strategic marketing efforts throughout the year.

 

5. Measure, Adjust, and Optimise

Marketing is an ongoing process—set up regular review points (e.g., quarterly or mid-year) to assess progress. Use analytics tools to track:

  • Website traffic
  • Conversion rates
  • Social media engagement
  • ROI on ad spend

If something isn’t working, pivot and refine your approach rather than waiting until the next financial year to make changes.

Need Help with Your Marketing Plan?

If you’re unsure where to start, our FREE 90-Minute Marketing Planning Consultation will help you create a strategy that aligns with your financial year and business goals.

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