Interesting Ways to Develop Your Marketing Strategy for 2025 (As Written by an Agency Owner)

Let’s not sugar-coat it: marketing in 2025 is not what it used to be.

We’ve moved way beyond just showing up on Instagram, posting a few blogs and crossing our fingers. What used to work even two or three years ago now feels tired.

Consumer attention is more fragile than ever, tech is evolving faster than most teams can keep up with, and if you’re not adapting, you’re probably fading into the background.

As someone running a digital marketing agency and working closely with businesses of all sizes, I want to share a few hard-earned lessons and interesting ways you can evolve your marketing strategy this year.

These are not fluff tips or trends I saw on LinkedIn, they’re based on what’s actually working right now for real brands.

So if you're a local business owner, startup founder, or just someone trying to figure out where to focus your marketing energy in 2025, this one’s for you.

Attention is the New Currency – Stop Thinking in Clicks

Clicks, impressions, even followers, they’re vanity metrics if they’re not tied to attention. And not just fleeting attention, but earned attention.

The kind where someone actually cares about what you’re saying and wants to hear more from you.

This year, I’m urging every client to ask:

“Are we holding attention, or just taking up space?”

If your brand is showing up online, make it count.

Quality content, not just content for content’s sake.

Think less shouting, more value.

That could be an opinionated LinkedIn post, a behind-the-scenes short-form video, a punchy blog (like this one), or a well-timed newsletter with genuine insight.

The big shift: Content is no longer about reach. It’s about relevance and resonance.

Small Influencers, Big Wins

I used to roll my eyes at influencer marketing. Now? I'm paying attention, but only to the right ones.

Forget celebrity-endorsed nonsense. In 2025, nano- and micro-influencers (those with fewer than 50,000 followers) are where the real magic happens.

Why? Their audiences actually listen.

We've run campaigns with local creators here in Bournemouth and seen 10x the engagement compared to paid ads. The trust factor is sky-high.

These influencers are embedded in communities, whether that's a niche hobby, a local scene, or a specific profession.

Top tip: Find influencers aligned with your values, not just your industry. Their endorsement can move the needle far more than you think.

Automate Smarter, Not Harder

Marketing automation is brilliant, when used right. But too many businesses are either overdoing it or using tools they don’t fully understand.

Build email sequences that feel personal, not robotic

Trigger messages based on actions, not time alone

Use AI tools to assist content, not create it all

One of our clients doubled their lead-to-sale conversion just by cleaning up their automated email journey. No new spend. Just better segmentation and logic.

If you’re sending the same thing to everyone, you’re already behind.

Own Your Audience (Because Cookies Are Dead)

Third-party cookies are on the way out. That means you can no longer rely on ad platforms to do the heavy lifting. You need to start collecting and using first-party data, responsibly and with intent.

Start with:

Quality lead magnets (free guides, calculators, tools)

Clever opt-ins (e.g. “Save your preferences” buttons on-site)

Building a clean CRM with usable data points (location, service interest, last interaction, etc.)

The more you know about your audience, because they’ve told you, the less you have to rely on costly, unpredictable ad platforms.

Stop Ignoring Your Website

This one baffles me.

In 2025, many businesses are still treating their website like an online leaflet. If that’s you, you’re leaving money on the table.

Your website should:

Be fast, clean, and mobile-first

Clearly state who it’s for and what you want them to do

Nurture returning visitors with dynamic content

Integrate with your CRM, email, and ad platforms seamlessly

We've recently helped local trades and service businesses redesign their sites with these principles, enquiries went up by 40 to 60 percent without increasing ad spend.

Lean Into Short-Form Video

Yes, I know, everyone’s talking about video.

But the truth is, short-form video is still underused by most serious businesses. And I’m not talking about dancing trends.

I mean:

Snappy explainers

Quick product showcases

15-second testimonials

Thought leadership clips from your founder or team

These work exceptionally well on Instagram Reels, TikTok, YouTube Shorts, and now even on Pinterest.

Don’t overthink production.

Authentic > polished.

Consistent > perfect.

Create Once, Distribute Everywhere

This one’s a game-changer. Most brands underuse their content. They’ll spend hours writing a blog and post it once. Done.

Instead:

Turn a blog post into 5 LinkedIn posts

Repurpose it into a newsletter

Break it down into quotes for X (Twitter)

Pull out key stats for Instagram carousels

Film a quick video version

You don’t need more content. You need more ways to distribute what you’ve already created.

This is how you stay top-of-mind without burning out.

Don’t Just Follow Trends – Create Your Own Point of View

Finally, in a world full of recycled opinions and AI-generated posts, your unique perspective is your biggest strength.

What do you stand for?

What do you disagree with in your industry?

What frustrates you?

What do your customers need to hear?

Those thoughts, shared consistently, are what build trust. People follow brands for personality and values now, not just products. If you’ve got something to say, say it louder in 2025.

If I had to sum up a 2025 marketing strategy in one sentence? It’s about clarity, character and connection. You don’t need to be everywhere. You need to be intentional.

Pick your channels. Know your audience. Be consistent.

And above all, be useful. Marketing is changing fast, but businesses that listen more, automate smarter, and speak honestly will win.

If you’re stuck or unsure what to focus on next, we offer a free digital health check that’ll tell you exactly where you’re leaving money on the table. Until then, keep showing up and making your marketing matter.