Tactics are fun. Strategy is better.

Hello Reader,

As we catapult into 2026, I’ve been watching the usual wave of New Year’s resolutions and viral marketing challenges take over my feed.

As you probably know by now, I am always a fan of experimentation. These kinds of things can really help you learn to use your tools more effectively, and get solid data. If a challenge helps you find your rhythm, I say go for it. However, it’s important to remember that showing up is only half the battle.

Simply appearing on your preferred platform isn’t enough. You need a strategy.

By all means, jump into that 30-day LinkedIn challenge! It’s an awesome tactic for building an engagement habit, refining your messaging, and getting comfortable in the spotlight. But remember: the act of posting is a tactic, not a strategy.

To build something effective and sustainable for the long haul, you need these three pillars (yes, these are borrowed from my Alignthority® system):

• Clarity: Define your "why." Why does your work matter, and more importantly, who specifically cares about it?
• A Body of Work: Don’t just claim expertise—prove it. High-quality content builds trust with your audience and authority with search engines (remember: search drives 1,000% more traffic than social media).
• Sustainable Growth: You have to fund your movement and measure your progress. Without data, you’re just guessing, and guesswork is the quickest way to stall out.

(Yes, these are the

Think of those "showing up" challenges as the engine, but let these three pillars be your GPS.

Talk soon,
Sarah

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