Have you ever felt overwhelmed by the concept of digital marketing? Don’t worry, you’re not alone. Despite digital marketing becoming increasingly necessary for business owners in today’s digital age, it remains a mystery to many.
In simplest terms, digital marketing is the use of online channels to promote and advertise your business, products or services. These digital marketing channels can include social media platforms, search engines, email campaigns, and more.
But why is it important for you to take your digital marketing strategy into your own hands?
In this article, we’ll explore the benefits of investing in your own digital marketing efforts and provide some tips for getting started.
The Power of the Internet
With over 5 billion active internet users worldwide, the internet has become an essential tool for connecting with potential customers. People now turn to search engines and social media platforms more than ever to find products and services, making it crucial for businesses to have digital ads and a robust online marketing presence.
Did you know, Google ads reach over 90% of global internet users?!
If your business is sitting on the sidelines, stuck between not knowing how to market digitally and unsure about working with marketing agencies, the most important thing to do is take action.
Whether that is educating yourself through videos and posts or hiring a team to help you learn how to digitally market, we’re in an age of a digital gold rush you can’t miss out on.
Targeted Marketing
Digital marketing is great for many things, but one of the biggest advantages it has over traditional marketing methods is its ability to perform targeted ads (and we mean super targeted – putting your ad right in front of who you want to see it).
By using data analysis and targeting tools, businesses can tailor their digital marketing efforts toward their ideal customers, increasing the chances of converting leads into sales. This not only saves time and money but also improves overall conversion rates.
Need we say more?
How Can Small Businesses Start Digital Marketing?
Many small businesses may feel like they don’t have the resources to invest in a successful digital marketing strategy yet, and we totally get it. Luckily, there are cost-effective ways to get a digital marketing campaign started in-house and without the need for agencies.
- Try your hand at social media marketing and establish an online presence by posting on social media. Although it is rare nowadays for customers to be acquired this way, showing that you have a presence is extremely valuable in the decision-making process when a customer is working out if they want to purchase with your brand, but rarely do customers just stumble across organic social posts.
- Utilise search engine optimisation (SEO) techniques to improve your website’s visibility on search engines. By crafting valuable content for your target audience, not only do you establish yourself as an industry leader, but you establish yourself as a credible company to Google- thus climbing up the ranks.
- Use email marketing to reach out to potential customers and keep existing ones engaged. When it comes to who you should exactly be emailing and with what- it’ll differ between where people are in your funnel and what level of awareness they are. However, the bottom line is if someone is giving their email away, it usually means they want to be sold to – so do it!
- Leverage influencer marketing or business-to-business partnerships for cross-promotion opportunities – we strongly recommend you check this tactic out, as it’s key for business expansion.
Is It Worth It To Hire A Marketing Agency?
Short answer: ONLY if you have someone in-house that understands marketing. If not, make sure you do to avoid any agencies that may not be as good as they say they are.
Long answer:
While this is usually the first route many businesses take, working with marketing agencies can sometimes present a few challenges. If not accounted for, these obstacles can not only slow your growth but can start causing your business to bleed money.
Common obstacles businesses run into with marketing agencies are:
High Costs For Their Services
Many marketing agencies have high rates that may be too expensive for small businesses. This can make it challenging to afford their services, especially for those on a tight budget.
A Lack Of Understanding
Marketing agencies work with a variety of clients, and it may take some time for them to fully understand your business and target audience. This can lead to generic or ineffective marketing strategies that don’t align with your brand’s message.
Potential For Miscommunication
If you’re considering hiring a marketing agency, make sure to do thorough research and find one that aligns with your business goals and values. Instances of miscommunication don’t only slow business but they can damper morale as well.
Can I Learn Digital Marketing Myself?
The short answer is YES.
While at first glance digital marketing can seem overwhelming, as a business it’s incredibly important to be empowered from the inside out. Moreover, understand how digital marketing can drastically improve your business.
If you currently do not have anyone in-house who understands marketing, it puts you and your business in a position where any “expert” can give you advice and you’d be none the wiser. In other words, a company without a marketing expert on staff is left in an extremely vulnerable position.
By learning online marketing and investing in your own company’s marketing strengths rather than others you can:
Save Time And Money
Through your own efforts and in-house knowledge, you can save yourself from the high costs of hiring external marketing agencies. Even better, you’ll have more control over your own content marketing and promotional efforts. This is especially helpful when you want to make changes quickly without having to go through a third party.
Have A Better Understanding Of Your Target Audience
Digital marketing involves understanding your target audience and creating strategies to engage and convert them. As a by-product of learning digital marketing, you’ll be able to better understand your customers and tailor all your other business strategies accordingly. From customer service to product development, this understanding can have a significant impact on your business as a whole.
Stay Ahead Of the Game
What makes a business resilient? Many say it’s in the skill of quick adaptability. By using digital technologies and investing in learning digital marketing yourself, you’re equipping yourself with valuable skills that will keep you ahead of the curve and adaptable to changes as they come.
Stay True To Your Brand
No one knows your business better than you do. By learning digital marketing, you can ensure that all of your promotional efforts align with your brand’s message and values. This will help strengthen your business and brand awareness, which will ultimately help you build trust with potential customers.
Experience A Greater Return On Investment
By investing in your digital marketing education, you are investing in the long-term success of your business rather than relying on external agencies. In addition, by empowering your team with digital marketing knowledge, you are building a stronger and more knowledgeable workforce that can help drive your business forward for years to come.
Need A Second Pair Of Eyes?
While it’s definitely possible to learn digital marketing yourself, it requires time and effort to fully understand all the different digital channels, techniques, and tools available. This is where Second Pair of Eyes comes in.
From social media marketing to search engine marketing; our expert team can provide guidance and support to help you navigate the world of digital marketing. We have experts that create a successful strategy for your business, but what makes us unique is that we work with you instead of for you; fighting for your corner and making sure you are consistently doing the right things to grow your business.
(After all, if you give a man a fish, he will eat for a day, but if you teach a man to fish you feed him for life)
The bottom line is that at Second Pair of Eyes, we understand the hesitation small business owners may have about investing in an effective digital marketing strategy. That’s why our agency offers personalised training and support to empower businesses to learn and manage their own digital marketing campaigns.
Curious to learn more? Take advantage of our free consultation and learn how you can empower your business from the inside out today!
