Marketing is defined as the strategies and activities undertaken by a business to promote itself, its product or service, or an offer. Traditionally, this was done through print newspaper, television and radio, and billboards but with the emergence and growth of the Internet and social media, marketing has changed altogether.
Just what exactly is Digital Marketing, and is it the right fit for you and your business? Read on below to find out more.
What's Digital Marketing?
Digital Marketing is the use of the Internet, mobile devices, social media, search engines, and other digital channels to reach customers.
Today, it's not unfamiliar to be scrolling through your favorite social media platform or streaming service and come across an ad or post from a business or brand trying to promote itself or sell something.
That right there, my dear reader, is Digital Marketing in one of its most basic forms. Platforms such as Meta, YouTube, Google, and even Tinder (yea we know, right?) have made it quite easy for almost anyone anywhere to set up an ad campaign within minutes.
Should I look into Digital Marketing for my business and brand?
At this point in time and in this day and age, it is practically expected that every business build and nourish an online presence - whether that be through one or more social media channels or through a website.
Here's some advice in the form of a quote (free of charge **wink**): If your business does not have at least one social media channel or website then it is virtually invisible.
What platforms can I use to get started?
Because Digital Marketing can be such a broad topic, let's break in down into three categories: Social Media, Streaming, and Website.
Social Media
For social media, there exists way too many platforms to list in this short blog but the major platforms to look into include:
Facebook
Instagram
TikTok
Pinterest
Twitter
A major rule of thumb in the Digital Marketing landscape is that you should never try to market your business, product, or service on every platform out there. Only focus your efforts on the platforms where your customers are most likely to be.
Streaming
Streaming platforms are those that you use to watch or listen to long-form content such as movies, tutorials, vlogs, podcasts, etc. The primary platforms to look into include:
YouTube
Apple Podcasts
Twitch
Soundcloud
IGTV
Similar to when choosing a social media platform, first ask yourself the question of, "Is this where my target audience is?" If not, then it makes no sense to use those platforms.
Website
Google and Bing remain the most used search engines to find information on business, products, services, and offers. This means that if a customer is looking into your business and what it offers, a website can only do you good and benefit your business.
Getting a website for your business though is the next hurdle to overcome. Don't worry though as we'll be publishing another article very soon with our top recommended website builders free of charge!
That's a wrap!
In a nutshell, Digital Marketing is the use of the Internet and other digital channels to reach customers - such as through social media, streaming providers, and websites.
It can be a lot to wrap your head around but we hope that we at least provided a good starting point.
Did you find this article helpful? Awesome! Be sure to leave a like and share it with someone who might find it helpful too. Until next time.
~ Kevin