Have you ever wonder how companies like Google and Facebook, make their money, even though their services are for free. The answer is by digital marketing as they publish millions of daily ads through there platforms. In other words, it is vital to know what digital marketing is and how it can help your business.
Since digital marketing entitles many areas, I will divide to make it easier to comprehend.
A brief history of digital marketing.
As the Internet became more available to users by the end of the nineties, many advertising agencies started to promote their clients through the new medium. In the beginning, it was not that easy since there were not so many tools or software to help out.
Also, the rise of computer viruses made it challenging to create the engagement factor. Then Napster became the place were people downloaded songs illegally, prompting musicians to take a stand. As a result, Apple introduced iTunes, allowing users to purchase songs legally and later on videos, creating a hub for people to find.
In 2001, Apple released the first iPod, changing the industry of music and video, making it more accessible to the public. With iTunes, the audience was able to gain new content and make it handheld.
Then in 2007, Apple launched the first iPhone, transforming communication forever, creating what we now know as smartphones. With the introduction of the App Store, businesses were able to create and share their applications.
Google did not rest and introduced Android OS, and in 2008, the G1, the first Android phone, was launched. As these two industry titans were fighting, they needed a way to keep on each other and started to present more features.
Since Smartphones were getting smarter and more accessible, companies like Facebook and Google saw the potential as a marketing tool. Since people shared their personal information, even their likes, and hobbies, it became a great way to segment the market and enable companies to engage exactly to their communities.
Currently, billions of people are smartphone users, having access to digital content by lifting their hands. In other words, they are potential customers with unlimited possibilities through the use of digital marketing.
Also, though digital marketing, it created many tools that are often used within entrepreneurs like search engine optimization (SEO), search engine marketing (SEM), content marketing, influencer marketing, social media marketing, email marketing, etc.
Benefits over traditional marketing.
In the past business only used traditional marketing, having to spend for promotion on radio, TV, newspaper or flyers, just to name a few. The problem was that you did not have a way to quantify how many people responded to your advertising.
On the flip side, with digital marketing, you can choose who can view your ad and even interact with your customers. Plus, it is cheaper than traditional marketing.
Types of digital marketing.
There are many forms of digital marketing available, but we are going to explain those who are more common users among entrepreneurs.
Search Engine Optimization (SEO)
One of those terms associated with digital marketing is the infamous SEO. Known from Search Engine Optimization, it has become synonymous with digital marketing as the only way to push content. Sadly many don’t know what it means.
Google is the number one website and search engine, allowing its users to look for information. When you are writing, you must follow a protocol, allowing easy access to your post. In other words, If the information is useful and provides what the user is looking for when another person is searching for the same, it should appear higher on Google. SEO done right can draw traffic to your website.
Search Engine Marketing (SEM)
Similar to SEO, with Search Engine Marketing (SEM) is another way to get your content first when a person is searching with Google or another search engine. The primary difference is with SEO, your growth is organic, meanwhile, with SEM, you have to pay for your position.
Another difference is that with SEM, your website is located on a different place on their website or has a note mentioning that is advertised.
Social Media Marketing (SMM)
With the introduction of Social Media in the mid two thousand, it has become a fantastic way to promote your business. With platforms like Facebook, Twitter, Linkedin, and YouTube, they provide billions of users to allow contact with your followers. It is essential to learn how you can use these platforms and tools like Video Streaming and Chatbots to grow your engagement.
To learn more about Social Media Marketing and how it can help your business, I recommend reading:
- 10 Reasons To Use Facebook As Principal Social Media
- 5 New Trends in Social Media
- 5 Tips to Grow Your Business Through Facebook
- Checklist for a successful Facebook Live
Content Marketing
Content is King, and creating it should be your priority. Also, it should be continuously done to maintain your followers informed. This can be done by creating a written article, an image or video, which is the recommended format since many platforms push it.
To learn more about content creation, I suggest reading:
- Tips for Content Creators
- Five Reasons To Use Video On Social Media
- Tips to Increase your Social Media Engagement
Email Marketing
Many think email marketing does not work, but on the contrary, it is a fantastic way to let your followers be informed about your company. Plus is a great instrument to sell directly to your subscribers.
For more information about email marketing, I recommend reading the following links:
- Do’s and Don’ts on Email Marketing
- 10 Tips for a Successful Email Marketing Campaign
- How To Gain Data and Improve Your Email Marketing
Automated Marketing Platform
Since digital marketing keeps growing, you need a service to help you make it easier, even work while you are not around. SmartEngage is the best option, allowing cross-communication with your subscribers through their email, messenger, and push notification.
Plus, it provides a fantastic variety of tools such as reports and a great variety of templates for emails, funnels, leads magnets, and many more to help improve your business.
The following video brings you an overview of how SmartEngage can improve your company.
These links will teach you how an automated marketing platform will help you:
- The importance of an automated marketing system
- 13 Reasons to use SmartEngage for Digital Marketing
- 2,413 SEO Leads in 30 Days on Autopilot
- 3 NEW Services Your Clients Can’t Resist!
The best part is that they offer a free account, or can use their 14-days free trial for the premium service. You got nothing to lose and everything to gain.
Conclusion
Digital Marketing still is evolving and changing. What worked before, doesn’t work today, especially regarding the infamous algorithm. In other words, you have to keep in touch with the latest tendencies and always learning.
I know we might not have covered other details about digital marketing, but this information, plus the links will help you with this process. Let us know if we missed a feature or give us a few suggestions.
Do you have any other tips?
Please tell us at the comment section.
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Written by Mark Nieves
