We’re the first to say that most people can figure out the basics of digital marketing with some study and the right tools. With a bit more training under your belt, you could become an expert, too. Let’s take a look at what you need to know to market your business online.
Search Engine Optimization
Okay, so we started with the hardest one. With Google changing its algorithms multiple times per day, keeping up with the latest SEO tactics is tough. That’s not to say you couldn’t manage it with the right news sites set to alert you every time a change is made.
There’s a good chance you’re still under the impression that packing your content with keywords is the best way to alert Google and your potential customers of your online presence. And while, yes, keywords are still important to signal search engines about what the content includes, stuffing is out.
Your best bet is to work with an agency that understands the finer details of SEO so that you can focus on running your business. Who has time to read all the latest articles about the ranking factors? You don’t.
Email Marketing
Every year, someone writes an article about the death of email marketing, and every year, email marketing just becomes more powerful. Last year, 52% of consumers made a purchase directly from email. The ROI for email marketing is $36 for every $1 spent. Or, for all you math geniuses out there: 3,600%.
And with tools like Mail Chimp and Constant Contact out there, just about anyone can create and manage email campaigns. The problem is…who has time? Who has the time to craft the compelling content, design a user-friendly email, set up campaign rules, segment the buyers, and then do it all again the next day?
You don’t.
Social Media Marketing
Honestly, with nearly 5 billion people on social media platforms every day, the idea of social media marketing might sound a little bit fun. After all, online is where people live and play anymore, isn’t it? Popping into Facebook to post some content about your business doesn’t sound too hard, does it?
Believe it or not, there’s a science behind building a social media following for your brand. Between targeted ads and engaging content, you can exponentially increase exposure to your company, your products, and your services. You should know your audience well enough to determine which platforms they’re most likely to spend time on—and spend money on. When are they active online? How long will they play on Facebook or scroll through Instagram? How many TikTok videos will they watch before they go back to their jobs or families?
Who has time for all that research? You don’t.
Content Marketing
We saved the hardest for last. Well, we saved what most people consider the hardest for last. Content marketing, on the surface, sounds like the easiest of the many jobs that make up digital marketing. You’re just educating your buyers about your brand, right? The problem is this one “job” actually requires many, many other jobs, starting with keyword research. Then, you must create the campaigns, curate a blog and social media calendar, organize your email and newsletter campaigns, and then… oh, yeah! Write the content.
Do you have the time to learn each of these steps while also running your own business? Do you have enough team members on your marketing team to handle SEO, digital advertising, email marketing, content marketing, social media marketing, measuring analytics, planning your campaigns, and all the other parts and pieces that make up a solid digital marketing strategy?
We didn’t think so. And that’s why your business needs professional expertise.
If you have questions along the way or would like to interview us as a possible solution to your current needs, schedule a call or get started with our questionnaire. Our services include SEO Marketing, Sales-Ready Websites, Expert Paid Campaigns, and High-Impact Video Marketing.
JRS Mar/Com is a team of digital marketing experts with 120+ years of combined experience in developing targeted lead-generation campaigns to help businesses like yours grow. We’re digital strategists, creatives, SEO pros, web designers, developers, and social media managers with a heart for small business, ready to drive performance in your organization.
