Nishall’s Blog: If you have a business then you need to invest in digital marketing!

If you have a business then you need to invest in digital marketing!

I know that I have written about how businesses can use social media to do marketing, but now working in the industry for some time now, I thought I would re-share my knowledge because after working many businesses it still seems like many local businesses are reluctant to use digital marketing in their marketing strategy.

Digital marketing is quickly becoming one of the most important parts of marketing strategy. Businesses all over the world are discovering the ways social media can contribute to the success and growth in all areas of their company. According to Hubspot, 92% of all marketers indicated that their digital marketing efforts have generated more exposure for their businesses, while 80% of marketers indicated that their social media efforts increased traffic. With these types of statistics, the benefits of digital marketing can no longer be ignored.

So before you begin creating digital marketing campaigns, consider your business’ goals. Starting a digital marketing campaign without a social strategy in mind is like wandering through a forest without a map—you’ll only end up lost.

Create a digital marketing plan and brainstorm about your goals: what are you hoping to achieve through digital marketing? Who is your target audience? Where would your target audience hang out and how would they use digital platforms? What message do you want to send to your audience with digital marketing?

Digital marketing can help with a number of goals, such as:
• Increasing website traffic
• Building conversions
• Raising brand awareness
• Creating a brand identity and positive brand association
• Improving communication and interaction with key audiences

Here are some digital marketing tips to keep you on the right track across all your digital marketing campaigns.

Planning – As discussed previously, building a social digital plan is essential. Consider keyword research and brainstorm content ideas that will interest your target audience.

Content is King — Consistent with other areas of online marketing, content reigns king when it comes to digital marketing. Make sure you are offering valuable information that your ideal customers will find interesting. Create a variety of content by implementing images, videos, and infographics in addition to classic text-based content.

Consistent Brand Image — Using digital platforms for marketing enables your business to project your brand image across a variety of different platforms. While each platform has its own unique environment and voice, your business’ core identity should stay consistent.

Blog — Blogging is a great marketing tool that lets you share a wide array of information and content with readers. Your company blog can also serve as your biggest marketing tool, in which you blog about your recent company efforts, contests, events and points to celebrate.

Links — While using digital marketing relies primarily on your business sharing its own unique, original content to gain followers, fans, and devotees, it’s also great to link to outside articles as well. If other sources provide great, valuable information you think your target audience will enjoy, don’t be shy about linking to them. Linking to outside sources improves trust and reliability, and you may even get some links in return.

Track Competitors — It’s always important to keep an eye on competitors—they can provide valuable data for keyword research, where to get industry-related links, and other marketing insight. If your competitors are using a certain digital marketing technique that seems to be working for them, do the same thing, but do it better!

Measure Success with Analytics —You can’t determine the success of marketing strategies without tracking data. Google Analytics can be used as a great marketing tool that will help you measure your triumphant digital marketing techniques, as well as determine which strategies are better off abandoned. Attach tracking tags to your marketing campaigns so that you can properly monitor them.

How to Use Social Media for Marketing: Know Your Platform – Various social media marketing sites will require different techniques, so develop a unique strategy tailored for each platform.

Using different digital platforms in marketing does more than improve site traffic and help businesses reach more customers; it provides a valuable venue for better understanding and learning from your target audiences.

Hopefully, this guide has helped you better understand how using digital platforms for marketing can improve your business.