Is Your Growth Strategy C.L.E.A.R?

I have a hard time remembering complex concepts. 
For this reason, I'm always looking for ways to break things down into simpler actions that are easy to remember. Even a chimp could follow along, right?

Despite what many online gurus might say while trying to sell you their latest $997 course, growth marketing doesn't have to be complex.

In fact, if the past 13 years has taught me something, it is that simplifying and making things CLEAR has consistently proven to yield better results.

It's like baking a cake - the simpler, the better. Unless you want to end up with an inedible disaster.

A few weeks ago I posted a summary of my C.L.E.A.R method for growth marketing on Linkedin. It was one of the most popular posts on my LinkedIn. Also, some people DM'ed me to learn more about it.

Today I will deep dive into the C.L.E.A.R method and show you how growth marketing is like perfecting a cake recipe.

Grab your best mug of coffee and stay with me to learn:

• The 5 principles of the C.L.E.A.R method, which are totally not just random words strung together.

• Practical tips to implement each principle, which may or may not involve baking an actual cake.

Ready?

Choose Wisely

Not all data is created equal, just like not all cakes are created equal. Some are delicious, and some taste like they were made with sawdust.

Choosing what to track is your compass, much like deciding the key ingredients for a new cake recipe. 

You want to select metrics that align directly with your business goals, providing clear insights into your marketing performance. 

Otherwise, you'll be as clueless as a baker trying to make a cake without any ingredients.

Primary vs. Secondary Metrics: What’s the Difference?

Primary Metrics: 

How do you want your cake to be? 

Is it a chocolate cake, or maybe strawberry? Pineapple is my favorite. This will define what ingredients you will need to make the cake you want. 

Without them, you can bake a chocolate cake while looking for an apple pie, which would be a total disaster. 

Unless you're into that sort of thing.

They are the key performance indicators (KPIs) that directly reflect the success of your actions. For example, Customer Acquisition Cost (CAC) and Conversion Rates are primary metrics that show how efficiently your marketing efforts are turning prospects into paying customers. 

Take a look at this content for a complete guide on marketing funnel metrics for the best ROI.

Secondary Metrics: 

These are the supporting ingredients like vanilla extract, baking powder. They help explain fluctuations and provide insights for optimization. 

Metrics like website traffic, bounce rates, and engaged time are secondary metrics that can shed light on why your primary metrics might be changing and where you can fine-tune your strategy.

Why Choosing Matters

Imagine trying to bake every type of cake simultaneously—you’d end up with the Frankenstein of cakes. Similarly, tracking every possible metric can drown you in data without delivering actionable insights.

This alignment is crucial for achieving satisfaction across the board. 

It will also save you a lot of headaches down the road, which is always a plus, unless you're a masochist who enjoys unnecessary suffering.

Practical Tips for Choosing Metrics

Align with Business Objectives: Ensure the metrics you choose are directly tied to your business goals. 

This ensures every data point you track is a step toward your targets, and not just a random collection of numbers that will make you question your life choices.

Prioritize Actionable Metrics: Focus on primary metrics that provide clear, actionable insights. Use secondary metrics to understand the nuances and identify areas for improvement.

But don't get too caught up in the details. You don't want to end up like that baker who spent hours perfecting the icing while the cake itself tasted like cardboard.

Use Benchmarks: Compare your metrics against industry benchmarks to understand where you stand and set realistic goals for improvement.

This way, you won't be setting yourself up for disappointment by aiming for results that are as unrealistic as a cake that never goes stale or a diet that consists solely of cake.

This will set a strong foundation for the rest of the C.L.E.A.R method, and ensure you end up with a memorable cake (aka growth strategy).