Digital marketing first started out as a trend; something experimental. Most people did not pay much attention to it. It was thought that like many other marketing trends before it would fade away. It did not; and this has led to many brands trying to play catch up in the digital space.
When it comes to digital marketing there is a lot that brands need to know in order to run successful campaigns. We have compiled a list of 5 things that will help you understand digital marketing better.
- It is dynamic
Digital marketing started out as a trend and that is exactly how it has evolved. Every day new inventions are entering the digital space. These are inventions geared at giving internet users new and exciting experiences online. As a brand you need to keep up with these trends. For example Snapchat a popular social media application introduced disappearing videos and pictures in 2011. Over a few years the trend caught on and in 2017 almost all social media applications have a disappearing update function (including WhatsApp).
Now, more brands are interacting with their consumers using these means. In the next year there might be more changes and new trends in the digital marketing space. In order to occupy these spaces brands need to stay afloat. To many, this seems like a daunting task. However, there are short courses geared to help marketing teams to align their efforts with the digital world.
Pro tip: You can also subscribe to digital marketing blogs such as The Moz and Kissmetrics.
- Think Mobile
Everybody is now on the move. This means that a large number of people are accessing the internet via mobile devices and according to Smart Insights; this is where brands should concentrate the most. For effective digital marketing campaigns it is important to pay attention to these numbers. Your content should be tailored for mobile devices.
Another important factor in is that attention span has considerably dropped. This implies that as a brand you should have content that grabs attention. Content that relays all the necessary information in a few seconds. Failure to do so will almost 100% guarantee failure in your digital marketing efforts.
- Be Accessible
Look at it this way; regular ads have specific scheduled time slots. Once your slot runs that is it. You only get the airtime you paid for.
Digital marketing allows your business to be accessible 24/7. With tailored efforts to match your target markets online lifestyle they are more likely to stumble upon your brand and interact with it online. When this happens; you need to appeal to them. You need to position your brand in such a way that it resonates with them and in the long run informing their decisions to use your brand.
- Conversion is key
Digital marketing is no longer just about driving traffic to a website. It is no longer about bringing people to your social media pages. Digital marketing like any other form of marketing should translate into sales.
As a brand; your digital marketing efforts should be geared at getting people through the door and monitoring their activities. This will help your business get relevant data on consumers buying patterns. It will inform your digital marketing decisions allowing you to customize the experience leading to more conversions.
- Content mix
Digital marketing allows you to explore different use of content styles. However, these styles have specific platforms where they are most effective. Social media relies heavily on images and videos. Blogs rely heavily on text content. Websites require a mix of both. A website should be able to tell what the brand is about by just a glance.
In digital marketing it is important to consider all these aspects and finding the right mix to suit your brands online needs.
