Digital Marketing Demystified: Understanding the Real Value and Importance
In a world buzzing with the latest online trends, you’ve likely heard whispers of digital marketing. But what’s the real story? And why should it matter to you? Let’s demystify what digital marketing truly is. But, more crucially, let’s explore how mastering it can open doors to earning online.
Digital marketing isn’t just a buzzword. It’s the heartbeat of any online venture. The art and science of showcasing your offerings to those who seek them. Whether it’s your creation or something you believe in, digital marketing is about connection. Traditional marketing reimagined for the digital era, designed to introduce your brand to the world.
From global giants to solo dreamers, digital marketing makes the online world accessible.
So, as you explore the ocean of online opportunities, remember: digital marketing is your compass. Don’t think of it just as the way to sell. Use it to share your passion, your vision, and your journey. With digital marketing, the world is your audience, ready to be inspired by what you have to offer.
Now let me simplify digital marketing in a way that gives you a good understanding of what it means and how you can use it to build and grow a profitable business online.
What is Digital Marketing?
Digital Marketing = connecting to your (potential) customers online!
It is an affordable and approachable way for anyone who wants to bring a product or service (or art, craft, expertise, knowledge) in front of a large number of people by using the internet and social media with the goal to monetize it (earn money online from your home, computer and cell phone). If you ever have dreamed of becoming your own boss, building your own business, earning money using your unique skills and talents: digital marketing is what you want to learn more about because it enables you to do this.
Digital Marketing means to get out there and promote, and show off, your business, your product, services, or crafts to people who already are on the internet looking for it!
Some of the main benefits of Digital Marketing are the cost-effectiveness, its ability to reach a wide audience worldwide, and the ability to target, measure and track your efforts effectively.
First, we need to differentiate between organic and paid online marketing:
About: Digital Marketing /w MRR – Courses
On Social Media, mainly on Instagram, digital marketing courses are hard to miss. They’re touted as the golden ticket to online wealth. But here’s the scoop: digital marketing isn’t a “business” in the traditional sense. Instead, it’s a powerful tool that, when wielded correctly, can transform your passion into profit.Ā
These courses, offering the opportunity to resell them (with specific licenses / rights attached to them). They promise not just knowledge but a tangible product you can sell – the course itself. Described as a cycle of learning and earning, appealing to anyone eager to monetize their social media account.Ā
But let’s clear the air. The opportunity lies not in merely reselling a course. It’s should be more about mastering digital marketing to stand out. Whether it’s affiliate marketing, network marketing, or selling licensed products, the essence is the same. The focus should be learning how to captivate an audience and convert followers into customers.Ā
However, there’s a catch. With everyone selling the same course, uniqueness is your golden ticket. It requires digital marketing savvy to distinguish yourself in a crowded market. This is where understanding digital marketing comes into play.Ā
Organic Digital Marketing
Organic marketing can be used by everyone who wants to monetize their skills, products, crafts or services online without having a huge budget. It covers your ability to reach people that are interested in your brand without paying for it. Your dream customers, who are waiting for YOU to show up and help them solve a specific problem with your products or services or impact their life in a positive way.
Organic marketing covers content that you post on social media platforms, writing and publishing blog posts, building an email list of interested people or nurturing a Facebook group for example.
Paid digital marketing
Covers services you have to pay for to be exposed to people that may be interested in what you have to offer (like ads on your favorite social media platforms, paid traffic (sponsored) to your storefront (your website / shop / profile) or google ads.
To be able to be effective with paid marketing campaigns you need to have an excellent understanding about your target market and ideal client, as well as converting your paid content into sales. This strategy is not recommended for beginners.
In this post I solely focus on organic digital marketing strategies because that is usually where a beginner should start – and itās what I do and use for my own business.
The strategies behind the content you publish, the way you market your brand, are basically the same for both, paid and organic. With organic marketing you focus on building a personal brand that connects well with your audience (people that are interested in what you do and follow you on social media) so that they consider buying from you at some point.
You want to know how to get from where you are (a person with skills, talents and a product or service to sell) to where you want to be, using your unique talents and skills to make money online! The bridge you need to build to achieve this is learning digital marketing skills! Start your journey by reading this article!
How is digital marketing different from marketing?
Simple answer: it isn’t. Digital marketing is based on the same marketing principles that have been used for ages. But it has taken them from being very expensive and exclusive to being approachable and accessible for people like you and me.
Think of advertisements in magazines or newspapers, billboards or commercials on TV. They are still there, but they have been very expensive. The more people you could reach by placing your ad or commercial the more expensive.
Goals In Marketing
- Raise the attention for a specific product or service, and
Use enough triggers (emotionally), information and understanding about the product/service to let consumers consider buying the product directly (in stores) or looking for more information (by in-person communication with the brand) - The ads or commercials have been very carefully crafted to reach a specific group of people (the target audience), find the perfect customer of the product or service (the ideal client) out of this group and raise their interest in the product or service by addressing problems, desires or needs that this specific person has. The more you need to spend the more you are pressured into converting people into customers to see results ā¦
Changes In Marketing – Opportunities Of Digital Marketing
It has made marketing easily accessible and usable for anyone who is willing to learn and grow a business. You can do it without spending any money.
Creating content on social media that doesnāt convert into sales is mainly annoying, but you can learn how to do it better until youāve found the right way to connect with the right people that WANT what you HAVE!
It wonāt break the bank, you can do it as a side-hustle for a few hours a day, the entrepreneurial risk is zero (besides from destroying your reputation online š«£)!
What it takes is the willingness to learn from your mistakes and find the knowledge that you need to succeed, as well as enough resilience to cope with negative feedback or lack of success.
It allows you to reach millions of people which was impossible for the āAverage Joeā before. It allows you to be in the market and offer your product or service directly without relying on services youād have to pay for. It has the potential to make your dream of freedom, financial freedom, time freedom and personal freedom possible!
In todayās digital era, understanding and leveraging digital marketing is your gateway to becoming a successful entrepreneur or business owner online!
The fundamentals of digital marketing - Where to start
You canāt use digital marketing successfully if you donāt understand the fundamentals of marketing. Your content will lead to nowhere if you donāt know about these. Because your goal is not only to reach people, you want to reach the right people, those who need and want what you have to offer, you want to make salesā¦
This is where you start, when you want to use it to make money online!
Know you! *Find your niche
Get to know you well! The first step is to draft (in your mind or on paper) a picture of who you really are. What are your special skills and talents? What makes you āyouā? What are your quirks? What do you stand for? What are your values? Why are you here? Who do you want to become? What are your goals? What do you dream of? What keeps you up at night? Who do you love? What is important to you? What do you believe in?
Building your business and brand online evolves around the person you are and the person you want to become! Start by thinking of who you are and who you want to become. And decide on what you really want to talk about (in your content) and what you are ready to share about you (your brand personality).
The single most important strategic decision that any brand makes is to pick the precise audience. You can get very, very big with a very precise audience because over time it smears and goes to more people. (Seth Godin)
Know your audience! *Find your target audience
The first step in any successful digital marketing strategy is to clearly identify and understand your target market (the broad market you are in). And going a little deeper than that: your target audience (the types of people your solution is made for).This involves researching and recognizing the specific needs, preferences, and behavior patterns of your potential customers – and how to connect this knowledge with what makes you, your brand, your products special a perfect match for them.
Know your ideal client! *Who is your dream customer?
Understanding your “ideal client” and “niche” is knowing exactly who benefits most from what you offer. Imagine your ideal client as the one person whose day gets better because of your product or service. Your niche? It’s the specific corner of the market where your ideal client hangs out, already searching for exactly what you provide. Think of it like a puzzle piece fitting perfectly into its place. By focusing sharply on this specific group (or a specific person), you craft messages that resonate deeply, making your marketing efforts not just seen, but felt.
When I first started I was all over the place, wanting to talk about everything on my mind (and you still notice this when you explore my blog), but this was so confusing for anyone coming across my content and so difficult to maintain for myself (no ‘clear message to market’), because I was targeting so many different types of personas that I literally reached no one…
If you are a complete beginner and just starting to set foot in building an online business my best tip is to spend time on deciding on your niche and ideal client BEFORE you do anything else.Ā
Focus on one ideal client persona, and on one specific niche as a beginner!
You can pivot and grow your range or change your niche later – it is so much easier to execute and learn all the skills you will need to master if you stick to one topic, one niche and one customer avatar!
Key Components of Digital Marketing For Beginners
Digital marketing comprises various components, each playing a crucial role in reaching and engaging your audience effectively. These include:Ā
Search Engine Optimization (SEO)
The process of optimizing your website to rank higher in search engine results pages, thereby increasing organic traffic.Ā
SEO is like ensuring your store not only has the brightest signs but also appears on every map. For instance, if you’re selling eco-friendly water bottles, you’d use keywords like “sustainable water bottles” throughout your website. This way, when people search for these terms, your site has a better chance of appearing at the top of search results, drawing more visitors organically. SEO is also applicable for your social media marketing content.
Content Marketing
Creating and distributing valuable, relevant, and consistent content to attract and retain a clearly-defined audience.
You want to create a variety of content that forms a broader picture about you and your business and āspeaksā to your ideal client. You attract your visitors by covering topics and answering questions they can relate to or look for. For example, if you’re in the wellness industry, you could create blog posts about stress management, healthy recipes, and workout tips.
This valuable content attracts visitors looking for wellness advice, establishing your brand as a trusted resource. Remember what I’ve said in the chapter about the fundamentals: it is so much easier to create a content marketing strategy if you focus on a very specific topic and a very specific audience – that will allow you to stand out in the market, find your little island in the sea of competitors, and start seeing success with your efforts!Ā
Social Media Marketing
Using social media platforms to connect with your audience, build your brand, and increase sales.
Promoting your content on social media for free is the most valuable asset a beginner entrepreneur can find. Instead of posting family photos you are now using social media strategically to promote your start-up business online. Keeping in mind the topics we covered before you want to create content for your audience, the kind of content that makes THEM feel seen and valued!
Make it exciting, make it relatable, make it interesting! Your social media content makes people AWARE that you are there! And it is the first step in the process of finding people that are genuinely interested in what you provide for them and in your brand (to transform some of them into happy clients and customers)!
You are inviting people to join your party, sending them an invitation with each of your posts. They are invited to follow you on your journey, share their own stories and struggles with you, and to engage with you by asking questions or just showing you that they love to be invited, and that they feel your parties are something they want to participate in (fun, entertainment, knowledge, valuable tips, get to know you better, feel connected to you as a person).
You can share stories about you, case studies (stories from your customers), experiences/learnings you have, tips related to your niche, and behind-the-scenes glimpses of your business. This approach not only builds your brand but also creates a community around it, leading to increased engagement and sales later down the road.
Email Marketing
Sending emails to prospects and customers to promote your brand and increase sales.
Sending emails is like sending out a series of letters to friends, keeping them informed and engaged. You want to make your ālettersā personal and deliver information that your ideal client wants to receive. For example, if you run an online bookstore, you could send weekly emails with book recommendations, author interviews, and exclusive discounts for your subscribers, keeping them engaged and encouraging repeat visits and purchases.Ā
You’ll find an invitation to join my newsletter below. And you now understand that its purpose for my business is to engage you with my brand. But what you also should have understand by now is that a newsletter isn’t about selling – still, it is a tool to build trust and provide useful information. So if you subscribe you will receive free tips, tools and information tailored to your needs as a beginner online business owner or someone who is looking for information how to start. And if I don’t hold this promise? You easily can unsubscribe at any time!
And if you start to create your own newsletter later down the road keep this in mind: your business is build on trust and integrity if you want to build it for a long-term success. So you should be dedicated to provide useful and valuable content in your newsletters tailored to your audience’s needs!
Affiliate Marketing
Partnering with individuals or companies to promote your products for a commission.
Let others promote your business and share some of your profits. Form partnerships where both parties benefit. If you sell handmade soaps, you could partner with eco-friendly lifestyle bloggers.Ā
They write about your soaps and share a unique link; when their readers buy through that link, the blogger gets a commission. It’s a win-win, expanding your reach and rewarding partners for their endorsement.
You could also build a brand and business based on doing affiliate marketing for other brands where you would focus your marketing efforts on the products and target audience of the brand you are promoting. Once you have decided on your niche (your topics you want to talk about in your business) and your ideal client you can watch out for brands offering affiliate programs that fit into you concept and may be interesting for your audience to receive a share (depending on the program) of the profits if products are sold due to your recommendations.
Developing Your Digital Marketing Strategy
You can start today, from scratch, as a side-hustle or in your free time, without needing to buy anything if you are dedicated to put time and effort into it (which you should if you want to earn money online doing so).
I recommend going through the process of covering the fundamentals and start crafting your strategy from there. You donāt need any product to start. You can develop your own product, partner with brands (as an affiliate), or resell products on the way, but you can start promoting your personal brand immediately. Ā
Ā āCreating an effective digital marketing strategy involves setting clear goals, choosing the right channels based on your audience, and allocating budget and resources efficiently.āĀ
As much as I would like it, I can’t cover everything you will need to know and learn in this article, but for a quick-start you can follow these simplified steps (DOING is the best way to learn anything, so if you are a beginner just start. You may fail with your first try or make mistakes but all of this counts towards your experiences and you learn how to make it better on the way – I’m not promising any results and this is no accident! The results will come over time but you need to start and learn the basics before you see money on your bank account!)
Your First Steps To Start Building Your Personal Brand Online:
- Decide on your topic (niche) based on your expertise, experiences or passions. Do research (use your browser) and find out what people are interested in.
- Decide on your ideal client with the goal to build an audience interested in your topics (the easiest way is to focus on an ideal client that is “you” but with a lower understanding or expertise in the topic you excel in)
- Chose a social media channel (whatever you prefer, chose ONE you focus on in the beginning) and start sharing your journey and valuable, insightful and relatable content for your ideal client.
- Learn and Grow: Learn about the needs of your ideal client, digital marketing strategies, content creation.
- Once you’ve gained insights on how your audience responses to your content, create a lead magnet (an eBook, a template, a course or video). Your lead magnet packed should deliver information your ideal client is looking for and will build trust if delivered properly. You can exchange your lead magnet for an email address to help you build your audience independent of social media, too.
- Create your own products, offer your own services or promote products (as an affiliate or using products licenced to be resold, like digital products with master resell rights, resell rights or private label rights) that fit your niche and brand.
- Continue learning about digital marketing and get better and better over time until you start making sales!
FAQs (Digital Marketing Terms and Questions)
What is a Target Audience?
- Your target audience encompasses the group of people most likely to be interested in your products or services. These are individuals who share specific characteristics, like age, location, or interests, making them the primary focus of your marketing efforts. Understanding your target audience helps tailor your marketing strategies to speak directly to their needs and preferences, ensuring your message resonates well.Ā
What does Ideal Client mean? Who is your ideal client?
- Your ideal client is a more refined concept within your target audience. This is the person who not only needs what you offer but is also most likely to purchase, engage with, and benefit from your products or services. Identifying your ideal client involves understanding their pain points, desires, and behavior patterns, enabling you to create highly personalized and effective marketing messages.Ā
What is a niche?
- Your niche is the specific segment of the market where your business excels. It’s where your unique selling proposition (USP) shines the brightest, targeting a specific area of demand that not only fits your business’s capabilities but also addresses the needs and wants of your ideal client. Finding your niche means less competition and more recognition as an expert in that area.Ā
What is a lead magnet?
A lead magnet is a free item (eBook, guide, template) given in exchange for contact details, such as an email address. It’s important to collect this information so you have a direct way to reach your audience. Relying solely on social media is risky because your account could be shut down or the platform’s rules might change, causing you to lose contact with your audience.
What is the first step in developing a digital marketing strategy?
- The crucial step is to define and understand your target audience thoroughly. This means diving deep into their demographics, interests, challenges, and online behaviors to tailor your strategy effectively to meet their needs. And from there you want to create your specific ideal client you focus all your marketing efforts towards!
How important is content in digital marketing?
- Content is the backbone of digital marketing. It’s what attracts, engages, and retains customers by providing value, building trust, and establishing your brand as an authority in your niche. Especially as a business starter that may want to focus on organic marketing tactics your content and how well it is relating to your ideal client is what decides about your success
What role does SEO play in digital marketing?
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Ā SEO increases your visibility online by ensuring your website and content rank high in search engine results. It’s essential for driving organic traffic and making sure your target audience finds you. It also applies to your social media “captions”, so you will want to find keywords relating to your niche and ideal clients and weave it into your written and spoken content.
Can small businesses benefit from digital marketing?
- Absolutely. Digital marketing offers small businesses a cost-effective way to reach a wider audience, compete with larger companies, and grow their brand online. You can start and grow for free using social media or blog posts on public platforms to get your ideal clients learn about your business and its amazing products!
How often should digital marketing strategies be reviewed??
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Ā Even if you just take the steps described in this guide, you want to review your digital marketing strategy regularly to adapt to changing trends, technologies, and consumer behaviors – you want to stay on top to be effective and relevant. But you need data to be able to do this. So use the analytics of your favorite platforms, what your audience is communicating with you and what you can research on the internet to improve your strategy. I recommend gathering data for at least 30 days before making any changes. It is also crucial that you document the changes you make for later reference / your next review!Ā
Conclusion
Digital Marketing is the skillset you will need if you consider starting an online business. If you don’t have no former experience in digital marketing (or marketing in general) you will either need to learn about it or hire people to help you build your brand and market your products.
Think about any brand or business you like and think about what has drawn you to this specific brand or products. And apply your findings to your own brand and products you create. You want want to be known (people can find you online), trusted (you provide something that has some kind of value for your audience) and liked (by building a brand that relates to your ideal client in their values, offers and business strategies).
But the beauty of it is you don’t need everything at once. If you learn about content and social media marketing and some basics for you are good to start your adventure using free resources like this blogpost, YouTube Videos or other free available information. The difficulty lies in applying what you learn, not losing your focus and being overwhelmed, and sorting out the correct information that help you to build the online business of your dream.
Watch out for my next posts when I continue to cover different aspects of building a business online using organic digital marketing strategies! Make sure to come back later or subscribe to my newsletter in order to receive all the free guides and tips to make you successful in your online business with simplified digital marketing strategies for beginners!
I hope this was helpful! Let me know what you think about Digital Marketing and your future as an online entrepreneur below in the comments!