Ah, Q1. The make-or-break moment for marketing teams everywhere.
It’s the time of year when bold ambitions collide with tight deadlines and resource constraints. Coming off a Q4 planning high, teams want to hit the ground running and tackle big goals head-on. But the reality? Without the right plan and resources, Q1 can feel more like running uphill in a snowstorm than a strategic sprint toward success.
Here’s the good news: with a strong plan and the right external talent, you can set yourself up for a killer start to the year.
Why Q1 Planning Is Critical for Marketing Success
Q1 is the foundation for the rest of the year—whether it’s launching campaigns, generating leads, or building pipeline momentum. Getting it right in Q1 sets the tone for the next 12 months. If you start too slow, you risk missed opportunities, lagging performance, and playing a game of catch-up that no one enjoys. Thoughtful planning and execution now will save time and avoid last-minute reworks and misfires.
Common Barriers in Q1 Planning and Execution
Despite the best-laid plans, challenges creep in. The most common culprits include:
- Talent gaps: Do you have the right people in place to hit the ground running and do the foundational work you need for a successful year?
- Tight timelines: Campaigns need launching, like, yesterday.
- Stale ideas: Big goals demand creativity, but the idea tank feels a little empty.
Sound familiar? Don’t worry—you’re not alone.
How External Talent Can Save the Day
Here’s where external talent can swoop in like the hero your Q1 deserves.
1. Addressing key foundational needs for the year
Sometimes, you just need an expert to lay the groundwork. Whether it’s developing campaign concepts, conducting customer research, or crafting a UX strategy, bringing in skilled freelancers can help you move quickly and confidently.
Wripple Project Spotlight:
A marketing automation platform was looking to create a new Ideal Customer Profile (ICP) and needed outside help to better understand their needs, behaviors, and even the words they use to describe their work. They brought on a customer research consultant with over 12 years of customer insights experience in high tech. She helped define a new persona that they could operationalize and use within their GTM (go-to-market) and product plans. In addition, they provided new insights to help further messaging and positioning.
2. Speeding up timelines
Freelancers are pros at hitting the ground running. With the right brief, they can take the wheel on tight-turnaround projects, helping you stay on schedule—even when the deadlines feel impossible.
Wripple Project Spotlight:
A leading healthcare institution specializing in autism spectrum disorder (ASD) research needed a website redesign on an accelerated timeline ahead of Autism Awareness Month. The project required a mobile-first, contemporary experience, but the complexity of the existing site’s content management system made traditional agency solutions cost-prohibitive. To meet the tight deadline, a co-creation model was adopted with a team of freelance experts, including strategists, designers, developers, SEO specialists, and a UX lead with direct experience and a personal connection with ASD. The team worked in lockstep with client leadership. This streamlined approach enabled rapid progress, delivering a future-proof website on time and within budget while setting the foundation for continuing digital transformation.
3. Bringing fresh perspectives
Need to shake things up? External talent often brings innovative ideas to the table, helping you reimagine underperforming channels or breathe new life into stagnant strategies.
Wripple Project Spotlight:
A leading tool manufacturer sought to promote and elevate the trade industry with a comprehensive 360-degree campaign. The project required the development of a creative brief, campaign concepts, and a detailed go-to-market plan. To bring this vision to life, a talented team with decades of agency experience was assembled, including a Brand Planner/Marketing Strategist, a Creative Director/Art Director, and a Copywriter, ensuring a strategic and creative approach to the initiative.
Start Q1 Strong with External Talent
Q1 is your chance to set the tone for a successful year. By planning thoughtfully and bringing in external talent to fill gaps, meet deadlines, and inject new ideas, you’ll be ready to tackle your big plans. Ready to crush it this year? Start planning, start sourcing, and watch the magic happen. (And if you’re looking for the perfect place to find freelance marketing talent, we’ve got you covered—just saying!)
To learn more about any or all of these solutions, contact your Wripple Client Lead, or
request a demo.Ah, Q1. The make-or-break moment for marketing teams everywhere.
It’s the time of year when bold ambitions collide with tight deadlines and resource constraints. Coming off a Q4 planning high, teams want to hit the ground running and tackle big goals head-on. But the reality? Without the right plan and resources, Q1 can feel more like running uphill in a snowstorm than a strategic sprint toward success.
Here’s the good news: with a strong plan and the right external talent, you can set yourself up for a killer start to the year.
Why Q1 Planning Is Critical for Marketing Success
Q1 is the foundation for the rest of the year—whether it’s launching campaigns, generating leads, or building pipeline momentum. Getting it right in Q1 sets the tone for the next 12 months. If you start too slow, you risk missed opportunities, lagging performance, and playing a game of catch-up that no one enjoys. Thoughtful planning and execution now will save time and avoid last-minute reworks and misfires.
Common Barriers in Q1 Planning and Execution
Despite the best-laid plans, challenges creep in. The most common culprits include:
- Talent gaps: Do you have the right people in place to hit the ground running and do the foundational work you need for a successful year?
- Tight timelines: Campaigns need launching, like, yesterday.
- Stale ideas: Big goals demand creativity, but the idea tank feels a little empty.
Sound familiar? Don’t worry—you’re not alone.
How External Talent Can Save the Day
Here’s where external talent can swoop in like the hero your Q1 deserves.
1. Addressing key foundational needs for the year
Sometimes, you just need an expert to lay the groundwork. Whether it’s developing campaign concepts, conducting customer research, or crafting a UX strategy, bringing in skilled freelancers can help you move quickly and confidently.
Wripple Project Spotlight:
A marketing automation platform was looking to create a new Ideal Customer Profile (ICP) and needed outside help to better understand their needs, behaviors, and even the words they use to describe their work. They brought on a customer research consultant with over 12 years of customer insights experience in high tech. She helped define a new persona that they could operationalize and use within their GTM (go-to-market) and product plans. In addition, they provided new insights to help further messaging and positioning.
2. Speeding up timelines
Freelancers are pros at hitting the ground running. With the right brief, they can take the wheel on tight-turnaround projects, helping you stay on schedule—even when the deadlines feel impossible.
Wripple Project Spotlight:
A leading healthcare institution specializing in autism spectrum disorder (ASD) research needed a website redesign on an accelerated timeline ahead of Autism Awareness Month. The project required a mobile-first, contemporary experience, but the complexity of the existing site’s content management system made traditional agency solutions cost-prohibitive. To meet the tight deadline, a co-creation model was adopted with a team of freelance experts, including strategists, designers, developers, SEO specialists, and a UX lead with direct experience and a personal connection with ASD. The team worked in lockstep with client leadership. This streamlined approach enabled rapid progress, delivering a future-proof website on time and within budget while setting the foundation for continuing digital transformation.
3. Bringing fresh perspectives
Need to shake things up? External talent often brings innovative ideas to the table, helping you reimagine underperforming channels or breathe new life into stagnant strategies.
Wripple Project Spotlight:
A leading tool manufacturer sought to promote and elevate the trade industry with a comprehensive 360-degree campaign. The project required the development of a creative brief, campaign concepts, and a detailed go-to-market plan. To bring this vision to life, a talented team with decades of agency experience was assembled, including a Brand Planner/Marketing Strategist, a Creative Director/Art Director, and a Copywriter, ensuring a strategic and creative approach to the initiative.
Start Q1 Strong with External Talent
Q1 is your chance to set the tone for a successful year. By planning thoughtfully and bringing in external talent to fill gaps, meet deadlines, and inject new ideas, you’ll be ready to tackle your big plans. Ready to crush it this year? Start planning, start sourcing, and watch the magic happen. (And if you’re looking for the perfect place to find freelance marketing talent, we’ve got you covered—just saying!)
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