For those who are inexperienced in digital marketing, what’s the number one thing they should know?

For one is the separation of self from online appearances..

While still remaining consistent to the professionalism you promise.

Two: lose the free dumb 

Meaning rebates, giveaways, raffles even some sort of advert space should be free. 

You have created a site - or your site hasn’t became more personable-  utilizing YouTube for commercials or how to’s can easily push your company under the marketing budget before paying for optimizations and coding placements.

Digital marketing is maxed potential with a balance of tangible or physical marketing.

These things include word of mouth which is earned not bought,or a sticker here and there coded to your site or just a small flyer left on doors with web pages, contacts, etc.

Apps are for networked or large scales oppositions like Walmart, which is a network anyways. Along with optimizations. If your sale 10s of tens products or hundreds of thousands- optimaization stream the one way search(walking in and a round the store) to the search engine.

For those who do not use +=- and such signs in their web searches... optimizations do help bring their attentions. Nonetheless with a correctly laid out pathway of advertising - word of mouth - tangible- digital in that order (Yet balanced where and when lacking) digital marketing becomes less costly and can be modified to more campaign centric  approaches. 

I help mostly with pathway creation and or reconstruction.

JWilson

The challenge with all social media platforms is determining which platform or platforms best represents your product or service. You must remember that all social media platforms are in business to generate revenue for themselves and are now very heavily monetized. You will reach a small group of followers with your posts but must pay to reach additional people or broader audiences.

You will need some skills to produce simple social media content however the higher quality content may require a support group for effective media strategies and content.

Most importantly, instant success is a myth. It takes time to build an audience of followers that may turn into customers and/or clients.

In my opinion they should do the followings:

1) Make sure their website is up-to-date.

2) Use Facebook and Google advertising to increase their reach in their local market.

3) Claim their Google My Business listing and have it optimized to rank in the Google 3-pack for the search term(s) related to their business.

4) Take advantage of digital coupons.

5) Create a VIP club. This applies to businesses that can have repeat customers such as restaurants, hair salons, spa’s etc.

6) For restaurants only: Have digital menus for online ordering and curbside pickups.

7) For realtors only: Have a QR code or a short code on their “For Sale Sign” so that interested buyers can receive the property information and a link to the online tour (if available) via automated text messaging upon request.

8) Pay attention to their online reviews.

9) ....

The number one thing someone should know when it comes to digital marketing is knowing where to find & engage your customers/clients or hire someone who knows where to find & engage your clients. I custom tailor my marketing packages so that my clients' marketing gets in front of their customers and potential customers and then engages them which leads to higher conversion rates. 

Often beginners focus on vanity metrics and try to be everywhere all at the same time. While digital strategies can make a big impact on your business beware of prioritizing things that don't impact the bottomline.

Knowing who your audience is and where they hang out is the first step. Smart digital marketing campaigns take time and expertise to implement and then optimize for the best results. The exact strategy for your business may vary from what others are doing. Consider working with an expert who can help guide your strategy so you are reaching the goals you desire. 

I'm happy to chat with anyone getting started with their digital strategy or needing an outside opinion of what you are already doing.

To add value to current and future clients.

Make sure you are reaching your customers on the platform they are on and that your content is useful, relevant and educational.

Learn it well and ‘regularly’ bc it changes constantly.  If not, then you should hire a seasoned experienced professional

Good luck!

Stay top of mind.  You need to be who people think of when they need your goods or service.

Their audience and market conditions to be able to provide valuable content and proper targeting through Digital Marketing.

Good luck!