--- title: What Is the Difference Between a Marketing Strategy and Marketing Plan? description: The differences between a marketing strategy and marketing plan will change the way you deliver a strategic approach to your marketing. image: https://www.thriveability.co.uk/hubfs/Blog_Featured-Images/WOMAN-NOTES-THINKING-DESK-NOTEBOOK-WHITE-1.jpg --- [![Thrive Logo](https://www.thriveability.co.uk/hubfs/thrive-logo-pink-1.svg)](https://www.thriveability.co.uk/) - [What We Do](https://www.thriveability.co.uk/what-we-do) - [About](https://www.thriveability.co.uk/about-us) - [Approach](https://www.thriveability.co.uk/approach) - [Work](https://www.thriveability.co.uk/work) - [Blog](https://www.thriveability.co.uk/blog) - [Contact](https://www.thriveability.co.uk/contact) Blog # What Is the Difference Between a Marketing Strategy and Marketing Plan? April 6, 2018 3 Minute Read By Rachel Townsend Green ## It’s fair to say that most businesses probably won’t have a marketing strategy – in the same way that few have an overall business plan – at least in a documented and formalised format. As previously explained in our blog ‘Do You Need a Marketing Strategy or Marketing Plan?’ there is a distinct difference between a marketing strategy and a marketing plan:  #### Marketing Strategy > “A plan of action designed to promote and sell a product or service.” (Source: [Oxford Dictionary](https://en.oxforddictionaries.com/definition/marketing_strategy)) #### Marketing Plan > “A detailed proposal for doing or achieving something.” (Source: [Oxford Dictionary](https://en.oxforddictionaries.com/definition/plan)) So, briefly, what you want/need to achieve in order to meet the requirements of the business followed by the actual layout of activities and actions that will enable you to deliver. Having clarified that, it follows that people then question whether they actually need a strategy?  We would say absolutely, positively that you do indeed! Why? Undoubtedly many of you reading this will not have a strategy and will see no need for one and will reason that you have managed thus far without one.  Okay, we accept that – but… You are reading this blog for a reason – either you aren’t getting the results that you want for your business or you want to improve the results that you are getting. Alternatively, you are setting out on the road of business start-up and want to put the correct foundations in place… **Find more like this via [Marketing Strategy](https://www.thriveability.co.uk/blog/topic/marketing-strategy).** #### Share this post... [mailto:?Subject=Check%20out%20this%20post&Body=https://www.thriveability.co.uk//blog/difference-between-marketing-strategy-marketing-plan](mailto:?Subject=Check%20out%20this%20post&Body=https://www.thriveability.co.uk//blog/difference-between-marketing-strategy-marketing-plan) Ready to talk? ## Whether you need a new website, a branding refresh, or a marketing strategy, the first step is a conversation. We'll give you an honest view of where you are and what's worth doing next. ## You may also like to read... February 21, 2018 #### [Do You Need a Marketing Strategy or Marketing Plan?](https://www.thriveability.co.uk/blog/marketing-strategy-or-marketing-plan) Marketing often gets a bad press – it’s the element of the business mix that people feel is intangible, it’s a ‘nice to have’ and often the... July 3, 2015 #### [How to Manage Your Marketing for the Year Ahead](https://www.thriveability.co.uk/blog/blog-how-to-manage-your-marketing-in-2015) As a marketing manager or, even as just a marketing assistant, you have a responsibilities and day-to-day duties. September 12, 2014 #### ["Pick 'n' Mix Marketing" Must Be Done Effectively: Don't Just "Pick" One and Expect Miracles](https://www.thriveability.co.uk/blog/pick-n-mix-marketing-must-be-done-effectively-dont-just-pick-one-and-expect-miracles) Our ethos has always been - and more so today - that a company must pick the marketing methods which suit their audience and purpose.... ![hubspot-logo-white](https://www.thriveability.co.uk/hubfs/2021%20Assets/Partner%20Logos/hubspot-logo-white.svg "hubspot-logo-white") ![google-partner-logo-white](https://www.thriveability.co.uk/hubfs/2021%20Assets/Partner%20Logos/google-partner-logo-white.svg "google-partner-logo-white") Copyright © Thrive Marketing Limited 2026 [Linkedin](https://www.linkedin.com/company/thrivehq?trk=top_nav_home/) [hello@thriveability.co.uk](mailto:hello@thriveability.co.uk) [01325 778 786](tel:01325%20778%20786)