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Difference Between a Marketing Strategy and a Marketing Tactic
- ELEVA Marketing Ltée
- Aug 1
- 1 min read
Understanding the difference between a marketing strategy and a marketing tactic is essential for any business seeking to optimize its efforts and achieve growth objectives. Although often used interchangeably, these two terms refer to very different realities.
What is a Marketing Strategy?
The marketing strategy is the overall vision that guides the company's decisions to achieve long-term objectives. It involves:
Analyzing the market and competitors
Defining a precise target (persona)
Brand positioning
Differentiation axes
Setting main objectives (increase market share, build loyalty, etc.)
In other words, the strategy answers the question: "Where are we going and why?"
What is a Marketing Tactic?
Conversely, a marketing tactic corresponds to the concrete actions carried out in order to implement the strategy. These are specific field operations, such as:
Launching a Facebook advertising campaign
Organizing a webinar
Creating a series of promotional emails
Offering a discount to encourage purchase
Publishing a sponsored blog post
The tactic, therefore, answers: "How are we going to get there?"
Example to Illustrate
If your strategy is to become the market leader in organic cosmetics among young women, your tactics could include:
Collaborating with influencers on Instagram
Setting up referral offers
Investing in beauty tips videos on YouTube
Why is this Distinction Crucial?
Failing to distinguish between strategy and tactic can lead to incoherent or short-term actions with little overall impact. Strategy guides, tactics act: together, they ensure efficiency and consistency.
