Why Digital Marketing is not your usual Magic Wand
Sidharth J.
Digital Marketing Consultant | Shopify Developer | Virtual CMO Services | Author | Real Estate Marketing Expert
Walk into a café and you will find almost every second table has a digital marketer, either a specialist or an adventurist. #digitalamarketing is not tough to understand and surprisingly an easy subject to learn. However, due to its growing demand and amazing results, more and more people are considering it a magic wand.
The #onlineadvertising medium has gained immense popularity. But somewhere the limelight seems to be dimming due to the misconception of overnight #success.
“Timing, Perseverance, and ten years of trying will eventually make you look like an overnight success.”
~Biz Stone, Co-Founder of Twitter
Everything takes time, from grabbing your customer’s attention to giving them the time to consider your brand.
Why should they trust your business?
Would you marry your blind date the very first moment you meet them?
If your answer is no (we hope it is a No!) then realize that digital marketing cannot bring results the moment you begin executing its activities.
In this blog, we aim to bust this myth and shed light on the reality of digital marketing, highlighting the time, effort, and strategic approach required to achieve sustainable and impactful results.
Digital marketing is not an overnight miracle but rather a long-term strategy that requires a solid foundation. Just like building a sturdy structure, it demands careful planning, audience research, and crafting a compelling brand story. Establishing a strong online presence takes time and effort, as it involves creating engaging content, optimizing websites, and building credibility.
For instance, SEO or Search Engine Optimisation is a patience-tester but it’s not all that bad as people have made it out to be. It is the practice of optimizing a website and its content to improve its visibility and organic (non-paid) ranking on search engine results pages (SERPs). In simple terms, SEO helps websites to appear higher in search engine rankings, which ultimately drives more organic traffic to the site.
When a new #website or webpage is created, search engines need time to discover and index the content. This indexing process can take anywhere from a few days to several weeks. If your website operates in a highly competitive industry or targets popular keywords, it will take time to surpass other established websites that have already built authority and credibility. Also, building authority takes time and requires the creation of high-quality content, acquiring backlinks from reputable sources, and establishing a positive online reputation. It takes consistent effort to demonstrate credibility and gain the trust of search engines.
Furthermore, search engines frequently update their algorithms to provide users with the most relevant and reliable results. These updates can impact search rankings, and it takes time to adapt and optimize your website accordingly to align with the new algorithm requirements. Lastly, it takes time to analyze data, identify areas for improvement, and make necessary changes to optimize website performance and rankings.
One of the pillars of successful digital marketing is building relationships with your target audience. Trust cannot be built overnight; it is a gradual process that involves consistent engagement, delivering value, and actively listening to your customers' needs. Building trust requires patience, as it takes time to establish credibility, authority, and a positive reputation in the digital realm.
You may consider email marketing as a good example here! Effective email marketing starts with a quality email list of engaged and interested subscribers. Building such a list takes time as it involves attracting potential leads through various channels, such as website sign-ups, #leadgeneration campaigns, or opt-ins. It takes time to develop a connection with your audience, consistently deliver relevant content, and establish your brand as a trusted source of information or solutions.
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Effective email marketing involves continuous testing and optimization to improve engagement and conversion rates. This includes testing different subject lines, email copy, calls-to-action, and timing to determine what resonates best with your audience. It takes time to gather data, analyze results, and make informed adjustments that lead to improved performance.
Digital marketing relies heavily on content creation, which plays a vital role in attracting and retaining customers. High-quality content takes time and effort to develop. It requires careful research, planning, and crafting messages that resonate with your audience. Consistently producing valuable content is essential, but it is not a quick fix. Content marketing is a long-term investment that requires patience and perseverance.
Let’s say we talk about building a website, so you need to consider website development. The process of building a website, adding content to it, and some images are interconnected and need to be strategic. Effective website development involves careful planning and strategizing to ensure that the website aligns with your #businessgoals and #targetaudience. This includes defining the website structure, #userexperience, and content strategy. Taking the time to plan and strategize helps create a website that effectively attracts and engages your target audience.
The process of designing and developing a website requires attention to detail and adherence to best practices. It involves creating a visually appealing and user-friendly interface, optimizing for mobile responsiveness, ensuring fast page loading speed, and implementing proper navigation and functionality. Adding high-quality and relevant content to your website is essential for attracting and engaging your target audience. Content creation involves conducting research, writing, editing, and optimizing content for search engines. This process takes time to produce valuable content that resonates with your audience and positions your website as a trusted resource in your industry.
“Overnight Success Stories Take a Long Time.”
~Steve Jobs, Co-Founder, Chairman, and CEO of Apple
Digital marketing provides a wealth of data and analytics to measure and optimize campaigns. However, instant results cannot be achieved without careful analysis and iterative improvements. Real-time adjustments based on data insights are crucial for refining strategies and maximizing results. It takes time to gather meaningful data, identify trends, and make informed decisions that drive performance.
Let’s say we talk about lead generation. It’s a simple process and that’s what makes it a complex affair. Generating leads requires establishing brand awareness and recognition among your target audience. It takes time to create visibility, gain credibility, and build trust with potential leads. Consistently delivering valuable content, engaging in marketing activities, and building a positive reputation are all essential elements of building #brandawareness that contribute to effective lead generation.
Effective lead generation involves research and qualification to ensure that the leads generated are relevant and likely to convert. This process includes identifying target demographics, segmenting leads based on their characteristics, and qualifying them based on their level of interest, budget, or other criteria. Thorough research and qualification take time but help ensure that the leads generated have a higher potential for conversion and long-term value.
In many cases, leads require multiple touchpoints or interactions with your brand before they are ready to make a purchase decision. Building lasting lead results involves consistently engaging with leads through various marketing channels, such as email marketing, social media, content marketing, and personalized communications. Each touchpoint helps to build familiarity, trust, and a stronger connection with the leads.
In the digital realm, competition is fierce, and it takes time to carve out a unique position for your brand. Digital marketing is an ongoing process that requires constant monitoring, analyzing competitors' activities, and adjusting strategies accordingly. Achieving a sustainable competitive advantage demands persistence, adaptability, and continuous refinement.
While digital marketing has undoubtedly revolutionized the #business landscape, it is essential to dispel the illusion of immediate results. Success in the digital realm requires a strategic mindset, a commitment to long-term #growth, and an understanding that sustainable results are achieved through consistent effort, data-driven optimization, and nurturing relationships. By debunking the myth of instant results, businesses can set realistic expectations and embark on a digital marketing journey that leads to genuine and lasting success.
“I was an overnight success all right, but 30 years is a long, long night.”
~Ray Kroc, American Business who purchased McDonald’s in 1961