Why a Solid Marketing Plan (and a Little Flexibility) Is Everything

There’s nothing like the excitement of planning a unique, one-of-a-kind event—especially when it involves cheetahs, cocktails, and up-close wildlife encounters. But sometimes, nature has a different plan (hello, weather forecast), and you’re reminded of one very important lesson in marketing:

Planning is everything—but flexibility is key.

At NOVA Wild, we’ve been gearing up for an exclusive adults-only evening: Cheetah & Friends. Think curated animal encounters, live music, tasty bites, and the chance to support a growing local zoo doing amazing conservation work. The date was set, plans in motion… and then, we had to make a last-minute change due to severe weather.

Was it stressful? A little. But honestly, it also gave us a major marketing gift: more time to build buzz.

The Power of the Plan

When it comes to promoting events, having a marketing plan in place early makes a huge difference. It gives you time to tell a story, build excitement, and create a steady drumbeat that leads people to act—whether that’s RSVPing, sharing with friends, or snagging the last ticket.

For Cheetah & Friends, we laid out a strategy that included:

• A mix of email and social campaigns

• A timeline for when each message would go out

• Visual assets that feel cohesive and on-brand

• Targeted content that speaks directly to our audience (hello, animal lovers and happy hour enthusiasts)

The earlier you start, the more room you have to adapt, optimize, and keep your audience warm and interested.

Flexibility = Breathing Room

So when we had to shift the date, we weren’t scrambling—we were adjusting. And the beauty of digital marketing is that you can pivot quickly. Email sends can be edited. Social posts rescheduled. Graphics tweaked. And with a plan already in motion, we didn’t lose momentum—we actually gained more time to promote.

More time = more eyeballs = more people signing up for a night they won’t forget.

Events Like This Deserve a Crowd

If you haven’t seen this event yet, check it out here: NOVA Wild Cheetah Night. It’s going to be one of those “I can’t believe this is in my backyard” kind of evenings.

You’ll get up close with the fastest land animal on Earth, meet other ambassador animals, enjoy food and drinks, and help support NOVA Wild’s growing conservation mission. It’s exclusive, intimate, and unforgettable—and we want every seat filled.

That’s why the plan matters. And why being able to roll with the punches matters just as much.

Bottom Line:

Whether you’re marketing a zoo event, launching a product, or promoting your own brand:

• Make a plan. (Write it down. Get specific.)

• Build a content calendar that works across platforms.

• Create content that actually connects with people.

• And always, always leave space for the unexpected.

Because the unexpected? Sometimes it’s just extra runway for your campaign to take off.

If you ever need help putting your marketing plan together—or bringing it to life through graphic design, email campaigns, or social media strategy—I’d love to help. Reach out to me at CAT Creative Solutions and let’s make your next big idea a success.