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It’s that time of year again and, even if you don’t make any resolutions on a personal level, my guess is that your organization’s marketing efforts could use some fine-tuning (or even radical change) as we face some of tough economic times.

So, here are some of the top suggestions from KMK Media Group staff on what your New Year’s Resolutions should be when it comes to your marketing and advertising in 2009:

1. Do a communications audit. Take ALL of your organizations communications – brochures, posters, print ads, website pages, emails, forms – and put them in a room. Do they all look the same? Do they all convey the same message? Do they represent your organization and its brand well? I bet you will be shocked, SHOCKED at the disparate branding messages your staff put forth every day. Get a hold of this stuff, people!

2. Create a plan that aligns with strategic business objectives. If your marketing plan isn’t aligned to the strategic business objectives of your company, you may as well be throwing money out the window. Do your homework – know what your CFO and CEO are thinking and learn the lingo of the boardroom. Do they want to grow X% in these particular geographic areas? Well, then marketing needs to ensure that’s their goal as well. Understand what “ROI,” “growth targets” and other buzzwords mean and apply them in your marketing planning. Make sure your marketing plan is measurable and then…measure it!

3. Be Collaborative. As mentioned in No. 2, marketing needs to align itself with the goals of the organization. But as marketers, we also need to open ourselves to suggestions and feedback from all levels. For example, ask your front-line employees their thoughts about how to better reach current and potential customers.  Convene a focus group or two of current clients and really hear what they say about the strengths and weaknesses of your business and its brand.

4. Upgrade your Digital Presence. Your website needs to be moving into a “2.0″ life cycle. (And there is simply NO excuse for not even having a website anymore). Add a blog feed, an audio or video podcast and/or polish the interface. Educate yourself about search engine optimization and how you can optimize your site. Try social media. Start an email newsletter service.

5. Plan your public relations for the year. Take a calendar and, if possible, literally plot out pertinent months/weeks for your organization and how you can tie that into news cycles. Spend some time learning the local media landscape and how your organization can help them tell compelling stories. PR is one of the most cost-effective marketing tools at your disposal, so make sure it’s a large part of your marketing plan for the year.

6. Review your media contracts. If you haven’t already, review all of your contracts with your media outlets and other vendors. Chances are, you can negotiate your rates to be more favorable in 2009 given the scarcity of advertisers these days. Or, if you can’t get a lower rate ask for freebies and “value adds” like additional ads, free color, or a promo tie-in.

Any one of these tips have multiple posts previously on ADWire – click here to search those.

This next year will be challenging – we all know that. So let’s start it off right and really put those marketing and advertising dollars to work in ways you might not have thought of yet.

Happy New Year!