Unraveling Digital Marketing: Your Top 6 Questions Answered

Imagine digital marketing as the megaphone that amplifies your business's voice in the bustling marketplace. It's the spotlight that illuminates your business's unique offerings to your customers. In today's world, where the internet is as crowded as a city's morning rush hour, digital marketing is your roadmap. Here, we answer six common questions about digital marketing tailored for small business owners like you.

1. What Are the Different Types of Marketing?

Digital vs. Traditional: Digital marketing is like the trendy coffee shop that's just opened in town, it's all about marketing that happens online or uses internet-based technology. This includes things like social media posts (think of your business's Instagram updates), emails to your customers (like your monthly newsletter), and online ads (those banners you see when browsing the web). Traditional marketing, on the other hand, is like the classic diner down the street, methods like flyers (the ones you put up on local bulletin boards), direct mail (postcards sent to potential customers), billboards (those big signs you see on the highway), radio ads, and TV commercials.

Inbound vs. Outbound: These are two strategies in digital marketing. Inbound marketing is like hosting a party where everyone wants to be, it's all about creating content that your customers are naturally attracted to. Think of it like writing a blog post about how to choose the best coffee beans, which coffee lovers might find through a Google search. Outbound marketing, on the other hand, is like handing out flyers for your business in a crowded place, it's about broadcasting your message to as many people as possible, regardless of whether they've shown interest in your business. This could be display ads on a popular website or cold-calling potential customers.

2. What Is a CRM, and Does My Business Need One?

CRM stands for Customer Relationship Management. It's like your business's personal Rolodex, helping you keep track of your relationships with your customers. It can help you manage your marketing efforts (like tracking which customers have received your latest email newsletter), sales (like keeping a record of past purchases), and customer service (like tracking customer complaints and resolutions) all in one place. This can be especially helpful for small businesses that need to make the most of their resources, like a small cafe keeping track of regular customers' favorite orders.

3. What Is a "Digital Marketing Campaign"?

A digital marketing campaign is like a coordinated dance performance to promote a specific product, service, or goal using the internet. For example, you might have an email, a social media post, and an online ad all promoting a new product in your store, like a new blend of coffee. Before you start a campaign, it's important to have a choreographed plan. This should include who you're trying to reach (like coffee lovers in your city), what your goals are (like selling 100 bags of the new coffee blend), what tools you need (like your email newsletter and Instagram account), how much you can spend (like your budget for online ads), what kind of content you'll create (like beautiful photos of the new coffee blend), and who on your team will be involved (like who will respond to comments on your Instagram post).

4. What Are "Platforms" and Which Ones Should My Business Use?

In digital marketing, a platform is like a tool in your toolbox, each one helping you achieve a different task. There are many different types of platforms that can help you with different aspects of digital marketing. For example, thereare project management tools like ClickUp, Teamwork, and Asana that can help you organize your tasks and projects, similar to a digital to-do list.

Email platforms like Mailchimp are like your digital post office, helping you send out newsletters or promotional emails to your customers. CRM systems like HubSpot and Salesforce are like your digital customer directory, helping you manage your relationships with customers.

Donor management systems like Kindful and Salsa are like your digital fundraising assistants, especially useful if you're running a non-profit. Social media schedulers like Hootsuite, Agorapulse, and Sprout Social are like your digital social media managers, helping you plan and schedule your social media posts.

5. Why Is Blogging Important?

Blogging is like having a regular column in a newspaper - it's a way to share your expertise, tell your business's story, and attract people to your website. Blogs can help your website show up in search engine results (this is called Search Engine Optimization, or SEO).

For example, if you run a bakery, you might write a blog post about the process of making sourdough bread. When people search for "how to make sourdough bread," they might find your blog post, learn something new, and get interested in your bakery.

6. How Much Time and Money Should My Business Invest in Digital Marketing?

The amount of time and money you should invest in digital marketing is like deciding how much to invest in a new piece of equipment - it depends on a few things, like what industry you're in, what your goals are, how much money your business makes, and what you're comfortable spending.

As a general rule, businesses often set aside about 11% of their budget for marketing or 7-8% of their revenue. But remember, just like investing in a new oven might be crucial for a bakery but unnecessary for a clothing store, your investment in digital marketing should align with your business's specific needs and goals.

Remember, digital marketing might seem as complex as learning a new language, but it can be a powerful way to grow your business with a little knowledge and the right tools. There are many resources available to help you navigate the world of digital marketing. For instance, I offer a range of digital marketing consulting services, including a free digital marketing assessment, expert-guided marketing plans, and customized campaign solutions. If you're ready to take your business's digital marketing to the next level, consider scheduling a Digital Marketing Consultation today.