Strategies Vs Tactics - Important To Know For 2009 [#19]

January 2, 2009 |

As we head into 2009, there is an important concept that you need to know. That is strategies versus tactics.

Tactics are the actions we take, the things we do in our internet business. Whether it be to blog a particular thing, instituting a particular plug-in, promoting a particular product, designing your site - whatever - all of this is tactic.

Strategy is what guides tactics. It is the broad, overhead view of what we’re doing.

Imagine the general in a war. He is sitting up on top of the hill, using his binoculars to survey the entire battlefield. From that view, he can see the broad picture and can make strategic plans to win the war. HE forms strategy. The individual movements he orders are tactics.

As we head into 2009, make sure you have a strategy. Otherwise, all the tactics that I and others can teach you will only result in the wheel spinning but not much forward movement. People like myself can help you with ideas and ways of doing things, but we cannot create your strategy for you.

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Comments
Comment by Chris on January 2, 2009 @ 4:39 pm

Thanks for pointing out those differences. Having those two concepts separate make it easier to focus on them individually, and thus, accomplish.

Comment by Mike on January 2, 2009 @ 4:45 pm

One problem we all face, in any “job” is ensuring that we set aside time for strategic thinking. As entrepreneurs and go-getters, it goes against the grain to sit back, put our feet up and just “think”. But it’s something we all need to do, and that time invested is rarely wasted.
Have a good holiday, David. Look forward to hearing from you when you get back.

Comment by J.D. Meier on January 2, 2009 @ 6:36 pm

What are some strategies that might be more effective than others?

For example, it seems like optimizing around your own information product suite might make more sense than going after more ad-funded strategies.

Comment by David Clare on January 2, 2009 @ 7:33 pm

Amateurs study tactics.

Professionals study logistics.

Mike: setting aside time for strategy is really hard. In my experience, this is even more difficult to do when working as an employee!

Comment by Chris on January 2, 2009 @ 11:16 pm

I’m entering one of the most interesting and potentially formative years of my life in 2009, as I try to shift from a 9-to-5′r to diversifying an income based solely on web endeavors… freelancing, monetizing blogs, etc.

This is a great post, and I thank you for it, because it’s helping get the wheels back in motion as I relearn what I had originally learned in college, this time actually applying the concepts in my life.

Comment by Todd Ackerman on January 9, 2009 @ 12:28 pm

David, you asked for the questions and here is mine…

AS a new Pro Blogger working full time… what are the keys to income as quickly as possible and IF I’m doing the things you suggest, how long would it take to make at least $3,000 per month?

Please consider every (affiliate programs etc.) angle because I have the time to invest in the effort.

Todd Ackerman
http://www.internetdollars.net

Thanks!

Todd

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