What is Digital Marketing?
Digital Marketing is a term that is thrown around a lot but has no rigid definition. It’s a term that encompasses more than what we generally think it does.
In general, marketing refers to the promotion of services or products to increase their sale or consumer base. So, the use of traditional media like television, radio, newspapers, etc., comes under this huge, all-encompassing umbrella term.
This may seem confusing, but the term ‘digital marketing’ is more often than not defined by what it is not rather than by what it actually is.
So, let’s take a look at the individual aspects that make up digital marketing to try to define it a little more clearly.
Digital marketing
Digital marketing, in a nutshell, is the marketing of products or a brand through digital channels. This type of marketing is mainly done through the internet but also includes other digital channels such as smart phones (SMS and MMS), TV and radio.
What it involves
Digital marketing involves a set of activities that make it completely different from traditional marketing. Some of these are Search Engine Optimization (SEO), Search Engine Marketing (SEM), content marketing, influencer marketing, e-commerce, social media marketing, and email-based direct marketing.
Why is digital marketing important?
Today, in the age of the internet, connectivity is everything. Everyone now has an account on at least one social media site.
Whether you’re a Snapchat person, or an Instagram addict, or if Facebook is your choice of media, we’re all constantly sharing information. Because of this, digital marketing is necessary, as it enables organizations to reach out to a large and ever-growing consumer base in a shorter span of time than ever before.
How do you use digital marketing?
Setting up an account on the right social media site and garnering followers can be the first and simplest step.
However, you need to have a digital marketing strategy in place. Knowing your demographic is essential because then you can deliver the right content to promote your product or service.
Share relevant information, create educational and engaging content, and interact with your consumers as individuals - these are the cornerstones of digital marketing.
What sets digital marketing apart from traditional advertising
Digital marketing is characterized by something known as ‘feedback’.
This is a relatively new concept in the field of marketing. This involves immediate and often direct replies from consumers/critics who are exposed to the said advertisement. Traditional means of marketing do not allow for this kind of freedom for the consumer or the marketer. If they do, it is limited and much harder to accomplish.
Additionally, social media marketing is also cost effective and happens in real time. This means that marketers can get feedback instantly about their services and products, which allows them to quickly implement any necessary changes.
You could also have more traditional advertisements on social media platforms. While these might involve less interaction with your audience, you will be able to target these ads to the right demographic.
Now that you’ve seen how useful digital marketing can be, get your strategy together so you can expand your presence online.