Strategy Audits: The Revamp Your Brand Needs

In today’s market, if you’re not auditing your brand strategy, you’re playing blindfolded. A strategy audit spots what’s sh*thot and what’s just... not. At co&co, we’re not here for the fluff. We cut the bullsh*t and call out what’s working, what’s dead weight, and why your team might be too close to the mess to see the real problem. Sometimes, a fresh set of eyes (aka co&co) is exactly what your brand needs to level up.

Understanding the Triggers for a Marketing Audit

Wondering if your brand needs a strategy audit? Hint: it probably does. A marketing strategy audit is the reality check every brand needs. Let’s talk about audit triggers: stagnating growth, little ROI, an identity crisis, or campaigns that go nowhere. It’s about asking, “Are we throwing money into the marketing black hole?”

Here’s a quick list to know when your brand’s in audit territory:

• Growth: Growth’s gone stale? That’s your first red flag. If you’re not hitting those quarterly milestones, it’s time to figure out why.

• Poor ROI: Throwing cash into campaigns but barely breaking even? If the results aren’t worth the investment, you need to diagnose where things are going south.

• Brand Identity Crisis: Are your customers confused? Mixed messaging or inconsistent visuals mean your brand identity is all over the place, and no one knows who you are.

• Competitor Advantage: Are competitors always a step ahead? If you’re losing out on key platforms, it’s time to see why they’re the ones winning.

Real talk? If your marketing team isn’t delivering what’s expected, maybe it’s time for an audit and some fresh ideas that don’t come from inside the bubble.

Benchmarking: Comparing Your Strategy with Competitors

Benchmarking is just a fancy way of saying, “Look at the competition and admit where you sit.” This isn’t about copying them; it’s about seeing the gaps where you’re dropping behind. Setting benchmarks can be a game-changer: look at revenue growth, engagement, customer loyalty—those are the numbers that matter.

Creating Effective Benchmarks

• Revenue Growth: Are you making more money over time, or just keeping up with inflation? Growth rate matters, not just in dollars but in staying power.
• Engagement Rates: If your customers don’t care enough to interact, you need to ask why that is. Track interactions (likes, shares, comments) across channels.
• Customer Retention and Churn: Is your audience sticking around? High churn rates signal that people are walking away after one experience.
• Average Order Value (AOV) and Customer Lifetime Value (CLTV): These numbers reflect how much value you’re getting from each customer over time.

Here’s a table that lays out where your brand could stand against the competition. This is a taste of how an audit shines a light on the gaps and where you need to step it up:

A strategy audit unearths opportunities and digs into these benchmarks, helping you see exactly where your brand stacks up against competitors. By evaluating metrics like engagement rate, conversion rate, and customer retention, an audit reveals the gaps in your current approach. This table shows you how your brand might compare and where the potential for improvement lies. Whether it's boosting customer engagement or increasing order value, a strategic audit identifies these opportunities, giving you a roadmap to level up and close the gap with the competition.

When your metrics start trailing, it’s not about pointing fingers to some lad in accounting. It’s your strategy. Face the facts and start setting the kind of goals that get you in the same ring as your top competitors.

Turning Audit Insights into Actionable Steps

A strategy audit only works if you do something with the results. Don’t shelve those insights—put them to work. After an audit, zero in on high-impact areas like brand positioning, customer engagement, and digital presence. Here’s how to start:

• Prioritise what’s going to make the biggest difference first.

• Ditch the “corporate voice” and speak like a human.

• Double down on the platforms showing real traction.
  
  

Next Steps Post-Audit:

• Rethink your messaging based on what works in your space.

• Shift budget to the channels that actually deliver.

• Keep monitoring and adapting in real-time.

And don’t think you’re done after one audit. This isn’t a one-and-done scenario. It’s an ongoing process to keep your brand out in front.

Why Outsource Your Audit to a Sh*thot Agency Like co&co?

Here’s the thing—outsourcing your audit takes the stress off your team and frees up your resources to focus on what you do best. co&co bring a no-bullsh*t, straight-talking perspective to your strategy. We’ve got the tools, the insights, and the guts to call out what’s wrong and suggest what’s right, saving you time and ensuring that every penny spent on your marketing is used wisely. With co&co in your corner, you’re not wasting time second-guessing your strategy; we help you hit the ground running with real, actionable improvements

Benefits of Outsourcing to Experts:

• Fresh Perspective: We’re not afraid to tell you the hard truths.

• Cost-Effective: Get it right the first time, save yourself the in-house trial and error.

Avoid the internal politics, and let a team with nothing to lose help you find the winning strategy.

Strategy audits are non-negotiable if you want to stay competitive. Regular strategy audits pinpoint what’s working and give you a shot at sustainable growth. So if you’re ready to transform your brand, let’s get real—cut the fluff, and get in touch. Let’s work together.