The What, When & Why of Digital Marketing
Digital marketing channels are more powerful than ever, but also more complex.
To build an effective digital marketing strategy, it is important to understand how these channels work together.
What’s your aim? Who is your target audience? What do they need to see? How will you reach them?
This article explores how digital marketing channels work together to deliver results.
What is Digital Marketing?
Digital marketing, or online marketing, refers to using technology (like email, websites, and social media) to reach an audience in order to create a desired action (like a sale or lead).
It’s using digital channels and techniques to communicate with an audience in order to influence their actions.
Different from traditional advertising, which is a message sent to an audience in order to persuade them to do something, digital marketing is about building relationships with people who are already engaged in your product or service.
What are Digital Marketing Channels?
In this guide, we define digital marketing channels as online tools and techniques used to communicate with an audience.
Digital marketing channels include email, social media channels, websites, mobile apps, display ads (like banners), search ads (like Google AdWords), native ads (like Snapchat Discover), video ads (like YouTube), and more.
These digital platforms help marketers to interact with their audience in real time, without being tied to any geographical location.
When Should You Use Digital Marketing Strategy?
The best time to use digital marketing strategy is when you clearly understand your target audience, their needs, and what they’re looking for.
As the example below shows, not all digital marketing channels are equal. Some (like social media) allow you to connect with your audience on a more personal level than others.
So before using any digital marketing channel, it’s important to understand how that channel works and what it can do for your business.
That way, you can build a comprehensive digital marketing strategy and achieve your objectives.
Why Should You Use Digital Marketing Strategy?
In the era of digital transformation, business owners and marketers need to adapt their marketing strategies and plans to meet the needs of today’s customers.
The main reason for digital marketing is that people are spending more time on mobile devices than ever before.
As a result, your company’s customers are accessing your products and services while they’re on the go.
To be successful, your digital marketing strategy needs to be a cohesive plan.
However, this isn’t just about having a plan; it’s also about ensuring you build your strategy around measurable objectives.
Once you clearly understand your objectives, it’s time to use digital marketing strategy to achieve them. That way, you can get started building a marketing plan that works for your business.
How Does Digital Marketing Strategy Work?
With digital marketing, there are two key strategies you should use: search engine optimization (SEO) and social media.
SEO helps you get found in search results, so potential customers will find you when they search for a product or service that you offer.
This is an extremely important strategy for your business because it allows potential customers to find you without having to visit your website.
Social media is a great way for your company to communicate with its customers directly.
You can use this channel of communication in a variety of ways, including sharing useful information with your followers on social media channels like Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
In addition, digital marketing allows you to reach a wide audience by promoting your business through paid advertisements online or on other websites.
Paid advertisements can include display ads, which appear as banners or boxes at the top or bottom of a website.
Or you can promote your business through retargeting.
Retargeting is the practice of showing ads to people who have previously visited your website or used a particular product or service.
It’s important to keep in mind that the type of marketing strategy you choose will depend on your specific business needs and objectives.
Some businesses need a more hands-on approach, while others can handle their marketing needs with less effort.
What Tools & Techniques Should You Use for Your Digital Marketing Strategy?
As the examples above show, with digital marketing strategy, there are a variety of tools and techniques that can help you deliver results.
And while these tools and techniques are important, they aren’t the complete picture. Instead, you need to take the time to understand your audience.
That way, you can use the right tools and techniques for the job.
Therefore, it’s important to build a digital marketing strategy that’s based on a clear understanding of your target audience, their needs, and what they’re looking for.
This will ensure your digital marketing strategy is relevant and effective.
Making Use of Digital Strategy
If you want to use digital marketing channels to achieve your objectives, you need a comprehensive digital marketing strategy.
This strategy will help you build a plan that works for your business.
And to build this strategy, you need to determine what you want your business to achieve. And once you have that goal in mind, then you can start creating a plan to achieve it.
About the Author
I hope that my post has helped you know more about Digital Marketing. Feel free to leave a comment and tag me and I will answer them. Follow my profile to get the latest content I post to stay ahead of the curve.
I am the Founder of Cudy Technologies, a full-stack EdTech startup helping teachers and students learn better. I am also a mentor and angel investor in other Startups of my other interests (Proptech, Fintech, HRtech, Ride-hailing, C2C marketplaces, and SaaS). You can also find me on Cudy for early-stage Startup Founder mentorship and advice.
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