Marketing Tactics Explained: 20 Proven Strategies for Business Growth (2026)
TL;DR - Quick Answer
13 min readStep-by-step guide. Follow it to get results.
Marketing tactics are specific actions you take to execute your strategy.
While strategy is the plan, tactics are the plays.
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Think of it this way: Strategy is where you want to go. Tactics are how you get there.
What's the difference between strategy and tactics?
Content Marketing Tactics (1-4)
1. Pillar Content Strategy
Create resources that serve as the foundation for related content.
Implementation:
- Identify main topics (3-5 pillars)
- Create in-depth guides for each
- Build cluster content linking to pillars
- Update pillars regularly with fresh data
Measurement: Organic traffic, time on page, backlinks earned.
2. Content Repurposing
Turn one piece of content into multiple formats.
Result: One piece of content becomes 7+ assets.
3. User-Generated Content Campaigns
Encourage customers to create content featuring your brand.
Tactics:
- Photo contests with branded hashtags
- Review incentive programs
- Customer story features
- Community spotlights
4. Thought Leadership Publishing
Position key team members as industry experts.
Channels: LinkedIn articles, industry publications, podcast appearances, speaking engagements.
Social Media Tactics (5-8)
5. Community Building
Create spaces where your audience connects with each other.
Options:
- Facebook Groups
- Discord servers
- Slack communities
- Reddit engagement
6. Social Listening Response
Proactively respond to mentions, questions, and conversations.
Tools: Brand24, Mention, Hootsuite, native platform searches
Approach: Monitor keywords, respond helpfully, join relevant conversations.
7. Influencer Partnerships
Collaborate with relevant creators.
8. Platform-Native Content
Create content specifically designed for each platform's format and culture.
Which influencer tier typically has the highest engagement rate?
Email Marketing Tactics (9-11)
9. Segmented Campaigns
Send targeted messages based on subscriber behavior and characteristics.
Segmentation criteria:
- Purchase history
- Engagement level
- Content preferences
- Demographics
- Customer lifecycle stage
10. Automation Sequences
Set up triggered email flows that nurture leads automatically.
11. Newsletter Consistency
Regular value-driven emails that keep your brand top of mind.
Best practices:
- Consistent schedule (weekly or bi-weekly)
- 80/20 value vs. promotion ratio
- Clear personality and voice
- Easy scanning format
Paid Marketing Tactics (12-14)
12. Retargeting Campaigns
Show ads to people who've already interacted with your brand.
13. Lookalike Audiences
Find new customers who resemble your best existing customers.
Process:
- Create custom audience of best customers
- Let platform find similar users
- Test different source audiences
- Refine based on performance
14. Search Ads for High-Intent Keywords
Capture demand from people actively searching.
Keyword types:
- Product searches: "[product type] for [use case]"
- Comparison searches: "[brand] vs [competitor]"
- Problem searches: "how to [solve problem]"
What makes retargeting so effective?
SEO Tactics (15-16)
15. Content Gap Analysis
Identify topics competitors rank for that you don't.
Process:
- Identify top competitors
- Analyze their ranking keywords
- Find gaps in your content
- Create content to fill gaps
16. Technical SEO Optimization
Ensure your site is crawlable and fast.
Checklist:
- Mobile responsiveness
- Page speed optimization
- Proper URL structure
- XML sitemap
- Schema markup
Customer Experience Tactics (17-20)
17. Customer Success Stories
Systematically collect and promote customer wins.
Collection process:
- Post-purchase surveys
- Success milestone check-ins
- Case study interviews
- Review generation campaigns
18. Referral Program
Turn satisfied customers into active promoters.
19. Partnership Marketing
Create joint campaigns with complementary brands.
Options:
- Joint webinars
- Shared ebooks or guides
- Cross-promotions
- Bundle offers
20. Affiliate Program
Reward others for driving sales.
Program elements:
- Competitive commission rates
- Easy-to-use tracking
- Marketing assets for affiliates
- Regular communication and support
Choosing the Right Tactics
Measuring Effectiveness
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the difference between tactics and strategies?
Strategy is your overall approach (the what and why). Tactics are specific actions (the how). Strategy guides decisions; tactics are decisions executed.
How many tactics should I use at once?
Start with 2-3 you can execute well. Better to master few than spread thin. Add new tactics only when current ones are optimized.
Which tactics work best for small businesses?
Content marketing, email, and social media offer best ROI due to lower costs and compound returns. Focus on tactics leveraging your unique knowledge.
How do I know if a tactic is working?
Define success metrics before starting. Give adequate time (3-6 months for organic, 2-4 weeks for paid). Look for leading indicators first, then lagging indicators.
Related Reading
- Social Media Campaign Tactics - 15 campaign-specific tactics
- Content Promotion Strategies - Promote your content
- 25 Ways to Promote Your Blog - Blog promotion tactics
- B2B Content Marketing Strategy - B2B-focused tactics
- Repurpose Blog Content for Social - Content repurposing
- Social Media vs Content Marketing - Understand the difference
- Web Content Audit Template - Audit your content
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