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Working with a new client or organization is exciting! They trust you to tell their story, to communicate with their audiences (or help them build new ones), and help them succeed as an organization. You can’t wait! You want to jump right in and get to work.

But before you start looking for story ideas, planning events, or designing infographics, you have to develop an often-overlooked part of communications—your strategic plan.

Remember Hannibal Smith in “The A-Team?” Do you remember the scene near the end of each show where he’d stand, looking out on yet another improbable victory with his trusty cigar in hand and say: “I love it when I throw a bunch of stuff against the wall and see what sticks!”

No. Of course not.

His memorable quote is: “I love it when a plan comes together.”

Without a plan, Hannibal would be looking at the rubble around his feet crying, “Why?????”

Because we want to keep you from being in that position, we are going to discuss what a good communications plan should include.

Resources Included:

• Hannibal Smith in “The A-Team”
• How to Craft a Strategic Plan
• Marketing Qualified Leads
• Sales Qualified Leads
• Brand Persona Creation
• Domain Authority
• Moz
• SEMRush
• PitchEngine
• PESO Model™
• SMART structure
• PESO Model Certification
• Spin Sucks Community

About Gini Dietrich

Gini Dietrich is the founder and CEO of Arment Dietrich, a Chicago-based integrated marketing communications firm. She is the lead blogger at Spin Sucks and is the founder of Spin Sucks Pro. She is the co-author of Marketing in the Round and co-host of Inside PR. Full bio