Aug 26, 2014

5 Digital Marketing Myths

by Digital Marketing Institute

When you think digital marketing, it may seem simple enough. Get yourself a website, make it look nice and you’re good to go, right? Wrong! There are several strands to digital marketing and each of them needs equal care and attention in order to maximize your output and engagement. There are countless myths surrounding digital marketing do’s and don’t’s. The important thing to remember is that digital marketing, though still in its infancy, is becoming less of a luxury and more of a necessity as the shift towards digital expands. We’ve taken a look at some of the most common myths out there…

1. Cross-platform isn’t necessary

Not true. While you can certainly survive as a business by focusing on one particular element of your digital marketing practice, participating in as many as possible is what will really boost your efforts. The days of having a website and getting on with your traditional marketing are over now –it’s all about increasing your reach. Focusing on mobile, social media, search and more is an easy way of pushing your brand and your product and increasing the likelihood of getting more engagement.

2. Posting content isn’t important

You may think that once you have your website up and running and looking nice your job is done – but this isn’t true. The design and layout of your website is certainly important – nobody wants to land on a webpage that looks ten years old. However, if you wish to attract qualified traffic to your website on an ongoing basis, you need to understand the importance of creating content that is both relevant and visible to your target audience. The importance of this can’t be understated as content marketing is rapidly becoming a larger focus for more and more online businesses.

It doesn’t need to be as overwhelming as it sounds – posting content regularly alongside your usual work is very doable!

3. It’s all about tech

This is both true and false. Yes, technology plays a massive role in digital marketing but at the same time, it’s a maturing of traditional marketing practice. Don’t neglect your old techniques; use them as a foundation for your digital marketing efforts. It’s important not to view them as separate disciplines . Traditional and digital marketing have merged into one so it’s not like you’re starting from scratch when you shift your focus to digital. Take your existing knowledge but save money and time by going digital!

4. One-to-one marketing is impossible

It may seem like an elusive goal but one-to-one marketing isn’t as crazy as it sounds. Personalizing your digital marketing can increase your brand’s credibility as the go-to place for your product or service. Knowing your customer and what makes them tick will make this a breeze, which is why analysis and measurement is key. Things as simple as having the recipient’s name in the body of your emails will give your customer a more trustworthy feel for your business. Analyze your online marketing and see what will work for you.

5. There are too many social platforms to keep up with

Granted, there are more social platforms than ever – and new ones are emerging all the time. This doesn’t mean you can’t corner the market on each one though. Having company pages on each of the social networks used by your target audience is important (if you have the available resources). Each social network attracts a different clientele which gives you the opportunity to boost your brand. Think outside the box when it comes to social media marketing! Here are some simple tips for keeping on top of your social networks.

Don’t be scared by digital marketing – there are lots of strands to consider, but on the whole it is effective. Putting effort into a digital marketing strategy can get you new customers, help to retain old and new customers and increase your reach. It’s something to be embraced!

Find out more about our next advanced certificate in digital marketing. We have industry experts on hand who can answer any and every question you have about digital marketing.

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