Digital Marketing In 2020

Marketing has changed so much over the years.  I feel like I have always been involved in marketing in some form or another.  Sales is definitely not my thing – tried it, didn’t like it.  But marketing is something I have been doing my whole life.

In elementary school I was always working on something to make money and market my services – lawn mowing, snow shoveling, house cleaning, even just doing peoples dishes at night after dinner.  You’d be surprised how many people just wanted the dishes to go away.  To this day I don’t have a dishwasher – just wash them.  I considered myself an entrepreneur my entire life – always something.

When I went to college for my Masters Degree I had plans to major in accounting.  My first marketing course changed my trajectory.  Back then marketing was very different because it was much less digital other than commercial ads.  The internet was new; Facebook, Instagram; Pinterest; Tik Tok and so many others not even in existence yet.

Since college though I have always been involved in marketing.  Way back then I started this blog – it has evolved over the years, with breaks where I didn’t do anything with it.  Believe it or not this site originally started as a business based site.  Then I realized I work in business and I really would rather this site be an exploration of other avenues I am interested in.  Now we have the blog you have come to know and love!  And thank you all.

Then and Now

What used to be word of mouth is now achieved through websites and blogs with content marketing and backlinks.

What used to be ads, brochures, posters etc… is now social media.

What used to be flyers, postcards etc… is now paid marketing online such as Google.

…. click funnels, campaigns, apps, click throughs, contests, giveaways and more.

Digital Marketing Considerations

What digital media works best to meet your goals?

Who is your target audience?

Where is your target audience?

Age? Interests?

What digital method works best for them?  For me I find that social media is one of the most effective digital marketing platforms out there BUT you need to have a feel for when is the best time for success?  Frequency? What ads will be most effective to spread the word?

WIIFT – What’s in it for them?  What can you promise to make their lives easier, better, more fun etc?  How are you different?  Why should they “act”?  Are you meeting their social needs?  Is this life changing? Are you appealing to their emotions? How is the function helping them?

What is your purpose?  Values?  Philanthropy? Social Consciousness?

Another focus is the 7Ps of Marketing as referenced by TechInfoNet 

• Price
• Place
• Product
• Physical Environment
• Promotion
• Process
• People

No matter what your form of marketing is a SWOT analysis is critical.  I feel strongly that this is a step often skipped but completely critical to success

• Strengths
• Weaknesses
• Opportunities
• Threats

And always Exults Digital Marketing reminds us to re-evaluate and be on the lookout for technological changes and improvements.  I used to panic with the digital changes but it is always changing.  I have just learned to adapt and strategize.