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

For the inexperienced, you should create a content calendar and a simple text template of each marketing campaign piece. What it is, what is says, where it goes, when is it due, what the expectations are. Once you have this in place, then the rest is the actual creation and implementation. It does not HAVE to be so hard to take days to launch.

Pay attention to what the professional ad person or agency you hire is actually doing for you. Regular metrics reports are not enough. Make sure the pro you are working with brings a game plan tailored to your specific business, then hold them accountable to that plan over time. If they look good to you after three months, make sure they look even better after six months, then a year. 

Bottom line...Are they bringing you more business?

My advice is for them to learn the basic of using  CMS (content management systems) Email marketing and writing blog post to reflect your thoughts and express your feelings, about your business and other things  around your life, and delegate other marketing  task that takes time to learn like CRO, ( conversion rate optimization) advertising, media buying etc to the experts to manage for you.

Most service area businesses "don't know what they don't know" A good idea would be to learn how to build a foundation under their digital marketing strategies. Citation syndication and management is a good start.

Don't be in constant sell mode.  Give people information that is relevant to their needs so you can build credibility with them.

I help my clients by spending half the day learning and keeping up to new trends, strategies and the other half of the day implementing and updating where I see fit.

Hire me.

Content and informative messaging are huge.

Consistency is key! Post at least 3-5 times a week. If that is still difficult for you, then find an agency or social media manager that can do it for you. 

What is your ROI? Bottom line!