Is there a difference between strategy and tactics? It probably depends on who you ask, but I see a big difference between the two. We talk a lot about and utilize strategy in our business and for our clients as well. So many things revolve around marketing and business strategy.

Tactics has a negative connotation, like using a tactic to get you to do something. It’s sort of like the subtle difference between persuasion or influence and manipulation.

A tactic is something you’re going to do that’s going to create a buzz one time or in the moment. You might get a lot of sales from it, but it may never work again. A tactic is a temporary solution that is used to get what you want. For example, a tactic might be to use a misleading headline. It might get attention, but it probably won’t make you a lot of sales. It might make you money, but the use of tactics won’t make you wealthy or rich.

There is certainly nothing wrong with being tactical if you’re in the military and are put in a situation where you are defending your life and the honor of our country. But most of our businesses aren’t life or death situations (even though we might act like they are sometimes).

What it comes down to really is the words we use. The words you use from the platform, to the words you use in your written marketing material, all make such a big difference.

Now, that doesn’t mean your marketing has to be great, terrific and wonderful, but it does mean there has to be some strategy behind what you’re doing so people won’t feel like what you’re doing is inauthentic or feels slimy. If that happens, more times than not, it’s because you’re being tactical as opposed to being strategic.

Another difference between tactic and strategy is that strategy is a long term solution that you can use over and over again in your business. Strategy is really about knowing the reasons for and the why behind what you’re doing. It’s the why you’re doing what you’re doing.

When you start to employ strategy in your business you will find that things work better, they make more sense, to you and your staff, and your whole business just seems to flow and be easier.

Strategy works hand in hand with some of the other essentials in your successful business as well…things like planning, using leverage in your business, taking massive, focused action and knowing what your next step is.

Try using strategy in your business for a while and see what an amazing difference it will make – for everyone involved.

Author's Bio: 

Diane Conklin is an author, entrepreneur, coach, consultant, event planner, speaker and copywriter. Diane is a direct response marketing expert who specializes in showing small business owners how to integrate their online and offline marketing strategies, media and methods, to get maximum results from their marketing dollars. Diane also shows entrepreneurs and small business owners how to outperform their competition by measuring their marketing, and strategically use multi-media campaigns to stand alone in their marketplace as the go-to provider for their products and services.

She is the co-founder of Complete Marketing Systems and for more than 15 years has been showing small business owners how to start, build and grow Information Marketing businesses where they take knowledge they already possess and turn it into passive, ongoing, leveraged profits.

Through her company, Complete Marketing Systems, Diane helps event promoters market, plan and manage their live events, workshops and seminars, using cost effective, multi-step marketing strategies that put butts in seats, without the promoters losing theirs. As an Event Marketing & Planning expert, Diane has planned and produced multiple events grossing over $1,000,000.00.

As a business and marketing strategist, Diane has been involved in numerous campaigns grossing over $1,000,000.00 in sales several times in her career.

Diane has proprietary home study systems, coaching programs, and provides done-for-you services in the areas of Social Media, Information Marketing, Direct Response Marketing, Direct Mail and Event Marketing, Planning and Management.

As a speaker, Diane has shared the stage with the likes of Joan Rivers, George Foreman, Dan Kennedy, Bill Glazer, Lee Milteer, Harry Dent, Lee Phillips, Fabienne Fredrickson, James Malinchak, Dov Baron, Peggy McColl, Marshall Sylver, Alex Mandossian, Marie Forleo, Barbara Corcoran and many others.

Diane was voted Information Marketer of the Year for her innovative marketing strategies and campaigns.