Most marketing plans fail before they even start—because they’re built in reverse.
We start with tactics.
“We need Facebook posts.”
“We should run a radio ad.”
“We have to boost sales right now.”
That’s like buying lumber before you know what you’re building.
The result? Random acts of marketing instead of a plan that actually moves your business forward.
At Growth Forge Studio, we flipped the process.
In this week’s cinematic vlogcast — Everyone Builds Marketing Plans Backwards — we broke down the system we use with every client, from local cafés to construction companies.
Here’s the six-step framework that works every time:
Goal → Strategy → Tactic → Tools → Schedule → Measure
1️⃣ Goal — What Are You Really Trying to Do?
Most business owners skip this step or keep it vague: “Get more customers.”
That’s not a goal—it’s a wish.
A real goal is specific and measurable:
“Increase weekday lunch sales by 10% in the next 90 days.”
“Add 150 new email subscribers before Christmas.”
When you know the destination, every decision gets easier.
Try this prompt:
“Help me turn this business wish into a measurable 90-day goal: [your idea here]. Suggest 3 versions with clear metrics and timeframes.”
2️⃣ Strategy — The Big Picture Approach
Strategy answers how you’ll reach the goal.
It’s not what you do—it’s the idea that guides what you do.
Example:
Goal → Increase weekday lunch sales by 10%.
Strategy → Get more repeat customers from existing foot traffic.
Now you can build everything else around that.
Try this prompt:
“Here’s my business goal: [insert goal]. Suggest 3 marketing strategies to reach it, each focused on a different angle—awareness, repeat business, or referrals.”
3️⃣ Tactic — The Specific Actions
This is where most people start—and where most plans fall apart.
Tactics are the hands-on moves that support your strategy.
They should always ladder up to your goal.
Continuing our café example:
Offer a ‘Buy 5 Lunches, Get 1 Free’ punch card.
Post a weekly special with a short story about the ingredients.
Send a Friday text to regulars with a Monday-only coupon.
Try this prompt:
“Based on this goal and strategy, list 10 creative marketing tactics that could work for a small-town business. Make them easy to execute and low-cost.”
4️⃣ Tools — The Systems That Make It Happen
A good plan doesn’t need fancy tech—but the right tools make it faster and more consistent.
Start with what you already have:
Canva for design
ChatGPT for writing and brainstorming
Google Sheets to track results
Meta Business Suite or Mailchimp for scheduling
AI isn’t here to replace your instincts—it’s here to take the grunt work off your plate.
Try this prompt:
“Act as a marketing systems coach. Recommend tools to help a small business run these tactics efficiently. Include both free and paid options.”
5️⃣ Schedule — Make the Plan Real
Without a schedule, even the best ideas fade into the background.
Decide when things happen—then protect those times like appointments.
Example rhythm:
Monday — Post new offer or story
Wednesday — Send an email or update
Friday — Review numbers
Consistency beats perfection.
Try this prompt:
“Turn this marketing plan into a 4-week calendar. Space the tasks realistically for a small business owner who has 3 hours per week for marketing.”
6️⃣ Measure — Track What Matters
Marketing isn’t magic—it’s math.
If you don’t measure, you can’t manage.
Decide ahead of time what success looks like.
Sales numbers
Website traffic
Coupon redemptions
Email clicks or replies
Then check your progress every month.
If it’s not working, adjust the tactics—not the goal.
Try this prompt:
“Suggest 5 simple ways to measure success for this marketing plan without using expensive software. Focus on what a small business owner can check in an hour.”
The Payoff
When you plan in the right order, everything connects.
Your goal defines your strategy.
Your strategy shapes your tactics.
Your tools, schedule, and measurement keep the plan alive.
This is how you stop chasing the latest trend and start building steady, predictable momentum.
It’s how Main Street wins—one smart plan at a time.
If you want to go even deeper into what makes your marketing dollars actually pay off, check out our latest blog: The Ad Spend Deep Dive
Prompt of the Week
“Help me build a simple marketing plan using this structure: Goal, Strategy, Tactic, Tools, Schedule, Measure. Ask me clarifying questions before writing the plan.”
🎥 Watch the full cinematic vlogcast: Everyone Builds Marketing Plans Backwards