The internet has come a long way since 1983. Individuals no longer need to wait around on dial-up to surf the web or head to their local library for a school project. Instead, they have access to an abundance of information right at their fingertips. Whether you’re searching the web for a new nail salon in your area or shopping for clothes for the winter season,  everything you do nowadays starts with a simple internet search.

As of July 2022, there are over 5.03 billion internet users. It may surprise you, but this number continues to increase at an impressive rate. It’s no wonder businesses have switched from traditional modes of marketing to a digital marketing business strategy.

It’s not just the big companies, either. Small businesses and local brick-and-mortar are finding that different digital marketing strategies can positively influence their company’s output.

The opportunities to make fruitful connections with your customers are endless, no matter what digital marketing channel you choose. As long as you have a budget, a product or service and a marketing professional on your team you can utilize a suite of digital marketing for small businesses to connect with your audience in a whole new way.

Here’s everything you need to know about the benefits of digital marketing for small businesses.

Why does my business need digital marketing?

It sounds cliche, but a digital marketing business strategy is the future of marketing. Think about it. When is the last time someone you know purchased a print magazine or read through a direct mail marketing campaign that wasn’t thrown directly in the trash?

That’s not to say that these modes of marketing are completely ineffective.

However, if a consumer sees your ad in a magazine, billboard or commercial and wants to learn more about your brand, they’re probably going directly to a search engine to learn more about you.

If your business wants to increase sales or expand to new markets, you’ll need to strategically think about the benefits of digital marketing for small business — and how these marketing initiatives can take your brand to the next level.

Here are just a few of the benefits you can expect from digital marketing:

• Improve brand loyalty;
• Enhance brand recognition;
• Increase sales and traffic back to your website;
• Build a community of loyal customers;
• Analyze data and results in real-time;
• Bolster your conversion rates;
• Expand your global reach and reach new markets.

When it comes to digital marketing for small business, it’s all about assessing your goals and understanding the types of results you’re hoping to see. There are opportunities on every digital marketing channel out there, your business just needs to take advantage of the potential and develop compelling content for each channel.

How can digital marketing help my business?

Digital marketing is a tool you can use to generate leads and convert prospects into customers. Unlike traditional forms of marketing, you have an opportunity to tap into a global marketplace with limitless potential. You can see your data and analytics in real-time and make strategic changes based on your results to maximize your budget. 

You can communicate with your customers at every step of the buying process and use your data findings to get to know your target audience. This allows you to make strategic changes to your digital marketing for small business and make impactful changes that benefit your budget and KPIs.

Here are a few digital marketing channels your business can capitalize on today.

Search engine optimization (SEO)

As we mentioned before, business today often starts with a simple Google search. With the help of search engine optimization, a business can outrank its competitors and get its content recognized by search engines and new customers. With a buttoned-up SEO strategy, you can expand to new markets, increase web traffic and build your brand’s authority.

SEO initiatives are trackable and measurable, so you can assess how many leads, sales and new customers are coming from your SEO initiatives. SEO also allows you to improve the user experience. It pushes you to think strategically about the UX design, optimize your formatting, add clear headers and make your website easy to digest for the customer.

By prioritizing the customer’s needs, you can make beneficial changes to your website content that positively impact your bottom line. The best part? SEO doesn’t need to cost an arm and a leg. Even if you need to hire a marketing professional to spearhead SEO, the longevity of your initiatives will help you save money in the future.

PPC

With PPC advertising, companies can scale their business and capitalize on buyer behavior. PPC advertising is a targeted approach to getting your brand in front of customers on search engines. It allows you to strategically target customers who have clicked on your ads, interacted with your brand and visited your website. On Average, 65% of customers click on PPC ads. Not only that, but paid advertising in general has a 200% ROI.

However, before you can see results with this digital marketing tactic, you’ll need a well-thought-out strategy and a game plan for tackling your ads. Think about the visuals, content and targeting options you have available with paid advertising. To get the most out of your PPC digital marketing business strategy, it will take some trial and error and data analysis.  

Social media marketing

Social media is one of the most popular digital marketing channels. It allows businesses to meet their customers where the consumer spends most of their time and build a community that loves and supports what they do.

To get the most value out of social media marketing, you’ll need a strategy. A strategy is an established content plan that allows you to assess what platforms provide the most value, so you can capitalize on the best opportunities for your business. With a social media strategy, you can enhance your online presence on each specific platform, which can help you increase brand awareness, conversion rates, web traffic and improve brand loyalty over time.

Social media is one of the most cost-effective digital marketing channels and can provide some of the best results when you choose to take a creative approach that speaks to your customer’s needs.

Content marketing

Content marketing touches every digital marketing channel. Whether it’s the social media posts you write, the landing pages you create, or the emails you send out, content is in everything you do! Creative content allows you to set your brand up as an industry expert and gives you the authority you need to leave a lasting impression on your prospects.

If everything you do is consistent across every digital marketing channel, you can leave a long-lasting impression on your consumers. They’ll trust your brand and you’ll gain the visibility you need to have a competitive edge over your competitors. With the right content, you can easily engage with your audience, teach them something new and develop new connections with your customers.

Keep in mind that it’s not about creating content just to create content. You’ll also want to ensure you develop high-quality content that positions your brand as an industry expert. Keep things relevant, establish authority and build trust with your website. If your content gets inbound links from external sources, it can provide you with higher domain authority. Which will help you outrank your competitors on search engines and improve your organic search results. 

Content also allows you to improve your success across digital marketing channels. For example, after you write a blog, you can share it on your social media platforms. As more and more individuals click on your content, you improve your chances of getting noticed by Google’s Al. With higher visibility in search engines, you’re more likely to get indexed by Google, which will help you increase your referral traffic over time.

Display ads

Paid advertisements are one of the oldest digital marketing options a company can capitalize on. These ads allow companies to use images, audio and videos to showcase their advertising and messaging across the internet. Display ads allow a business to get consumers familiar with their brand’s name and products or services. They’re great for driving brand awareness and recognition. This style of advertising typically costs less than PPC. This is because PPC is a pay-per-click basis on a search engine. While display ads are commonly found on different websites on the internet that have a similar audience as your target audience.

Email marketing

On average, 293.6 billion emails are sent each day to over 4 billion email users. Why? Because email marketing is a low-cost digital marketing channel with a high ROI. It’s a tool that keeps your brand connected with your current customer base through targeted messages that inform them about sales, new products and everything in between.

On average, for every $1 you spend on email marketing, you can expect a return of $36. Emails are a great revenue builder that allows you to nurture your current leads and keep them coming back to your website for more. With an email marketing strategy and a consistent send cadence, you can build a stronger customer relationship with your audience and build excitement around your brand and product offering.

Influencer marketing

Influencer marketing is an up-and-coming digital marketing channel that yields high results for brands in every industry. With the right influencer and content, your brand can expand your reach and gain authentic recognition from trusted individuals in the social media community. Working with an influencer allows you to develop authentic content that looks and feels organic on social media.

In 2021, the influencer marketing industry was worth $13.8 billion. That’s a $4.1 billion increase from the previous year. With this steady year-over-year growth, we only expect businesses to continue to take advantage of this unique digital marketing business strategy in the future.

To see success with influencer marketing, your company will need to think about the different markets you want to expand to and find influencers with similar audiences.

Affiliate marketing

Affiliate marketing refers to the process of rewarding third-party individuals for helping generate traffic and leads for your business. On average, this digital marketing solution generates around 15-30% of all sales for a company that utilizes this channel.

It’s an easy and profitable way to increase sales, expand your audience and gain brand recognition. Affiliate marketing has low upfront costs, so you only need to pay affiliates when sales come through from their website. This digital marketing solution has low risk, high potential passive income and a high conversion rate.

Take your digital marketing efforts to the next level

Digital marketing strategies like SEO, PPC, social media marketing, email marketing, and content marketing can help elevate your business’s trajectory. WorkForce Institute offers a Digital Marketing Bootcamp that teaches new and existing digital marketing professionals the skills you’ll need to thrive and grow your company’s business online.

With the help of a Digital Marketing Bootcamp, you can stay in the know on the latest and greatest digital marketing trends and further elevate your company’s potential while accelerating your understanding of fundamental digital marketing processes and outcomes. 

Whether you’re looking to enhance your customer journey or expand to new markets, every brand needs to learn how to take advantage of their content marketing strategy if they want to see results.

Content is everywhere. It’s in the social media posts you view on your timeline, it’s the language used in the emails you read, it’s in the copy across websites.

Every brand, in some shape or form, relies on content to drive messaging and generate sales.

That’s why content marketing is the driving force of effective marketing campaigns. Focusing on content adds value to your initiatives and helps you enhance brand awareness, increase conversions and take your business to new heights.

Content marketing is nothing new, but more businesses are starting to see the value in prioritizing this marketing avenue. This year, over 72% of companies plan to increase their content marketing budgets. That means there will be more demand for professionals with a knack for content in the upcoming years.

Whether you’re passionate about enhancing your current content marketing strategies or want to simply learn content marketing basics, you’ve come to the right place.

Here’s everything you need to know about modern content marketing:

What is content marketing?

To put it simply, content marketing is a type of marketing that relies on curated messaging. It’s the planning, creating and sharing of content across different digital marketing channels. The content you create for marketing purposes will help you build a relationship with your target audience and keep them engaged with your brand.

When used correctly, a content marketing strategy can:

• Help you scale your business into different markets;
• Build credibility with your current audience;
• Increase sales;
• Drive traffic back to their website;
• Maintain customer loyalty.

Every piece of content is different. Whether you’re working on the wording for a sales landing page or crafting an email marketing campaign, everything you do with content has the power to add value to your customer’s life and improve their relationship with your brand.

The importance of content marketing for businesses

Content marketing is constantly changing and growing. To put things into perspective, consider the style of content popular in 2012 compared to 2022. The approach, the wording and the writing style are different and unique to the time period.

This trend also applies to different marketing channels, generations and audiences. However, one thing always remains true: content marketing works if it’s done correctly.

Effective content marketing resonates with the consumer. It helps them effectively build a connection with your brand and leads them to become a lifetime buyer you can nurture for years to come.

With the right content, you can:

• Generate trust in your audience;
• Create viable leads;
• Improve conversions and website traffic;
• Position your brand as a leader in the industry.

Learning how to execute effective content marketing is an invaluable skill that can benefit any business’s bottom line and give your brand the credibility it needs to stay two steps ahead of your competition.

The best types of content marketing that brands can use today

When a brand is consistent with its content marketing strategy, it can build trust with its audience. Content adds value to the customer journey, increases brand awareness and gives your brand a competitive edge.

Don’t believe us?

Think about the brands and companies you feel connected to. Think about the language, the content they create and the reasons why you truly love the brand. Each piece of content they create works together to help you build a relationship with the brand and turn you into a long-lasting buyer.

Content marketing is used to help educate consumers and keep them in the know about your brand. It’s versatile, creative and knowledgeable.

Here’s how it’s used across the different digital marketing platforms:

Email marketing

Email marketing is a tool used to nurture leads and provide updates to customers. Effective email marketing informs the body of the email, the subject line and everything in between. All messaging is expertly crafted to convey a particular emotion and get individuals to buy into the email’s message.

Social media marketing

There is a wide variety  of social media platforms available for brands, and each requires a different approach. For example, you wouldn’t use the same language or voice on LinkedIn that you would on Instagram or Twitter.

Blog content

Blogs are tools that help you increase inbound traffic back to your website and enhance your SEO efforts. Blog content can inform your audience, teach them something new and foster a connection between your audience and your brand.

Paid advertising content

Paid advertising content is utilized to reach a new prospective audience. The language for these ads needs to be strategic and speak to a broad audience. This type of content is found on social media, banners and sponsored content on other websites. With the right paid content, you can position your brand as an industry expert while increasing traffic back to your website.

Infographic content

Infographics are display tools that inform your audience and deliver data in an easy-to-understand, visual format. The content is short, straight to the point and easy to comprehend. It’s there to complement the imagery and educate your audience. Infographics typically explore complex topics and help break down the information in a digestible format.

Take your digital marketing experience to the next level

In 2021, over 82% of companies claimed to use content marketing. That’s an increase of 12% from the previous year’s total. As more companies discover the value of content marketing, the practice is only expected to grow over the coming years.

A recent Forbes survey showed that consumers spend an average of 7 hours per day consuming content. Each one of those hours provides an opportunity for a brand to introduce their content to a prospective audience. With carefully curated content and the right strategy, you can easily develop content that relates to your target audience and helps you see results.

If you’re passionate about learning more about how content marketing can enhance your digital marketing efforts, consider enrolling in a Digital Marketing Bootcamp. Our Digital Marketing Bootcamp can accelerate your understanding of content marketing, SEO, keyword research and the strategies necessary to rank your website where it belongs.

Connect with our Admissions team today to see if our bootcamp is a good fit for you.

 

Did you know that Facebook launched in 2004? It’s been nearly 20 years since the online social platform, originally created as a way for Harvard students to connect with their colleagues, was born.

Today — in addition to Facebook — social media platforms like Instagram, LinkedIn, Twitter, Tik Tok and others amass more than 4.62 billion global users each year. 

Companies looking to connect with potential consumers across social media often face an uphill battle. Competition for both sponsored and organic messaging is high, as brands vie for limited space in front of your eyes.

That’s where social media strategists come in.

As of 2022, more than 13,216 social media strategists employed across the United States help brands connect with social media users. As social media continues to grow in popularity and more businesses see the value in developing their social media presence, we only expect the number to grow.

Regardless of an employer’s size, companies need an expert in social media to help them craft a strategy, develop online marketing campaigns and build their online presence. If you’re obsessed with the marketing opportunities social media provides, you may be wondering what the career path looks like and how to become a social media manager in the future.

We’re here to walk you through how to land the best social media jobs and get your foot in the door.

Let’s dive in.

What does a social media strategist do?

Social media strategists are responsible for spearheading social media campaigns and improving a brand’s image on different platforms. They help build a brand’s online presence through social media by retaining customers, enhancing brand loyalty and generating traffic back to their website.

As a social media strategist, you’re responsible for crafting long-term strategies, following up with KPIs and thinking of new and innovative ways to curate content.

You’ll notice a heavy focus on finding new opportunities, capitalizing on trends and curating a strategy that makes sense for the business and the industry.

Social media is an integral part of any marketing strategy and will continue to be a dominating marketing channel in the years to come. With a buttoned-up strategy and clear KPIs, businesses can meet their audience across cornerstone social channels, and transform their following into loyal customers.

What skills will I need as a social media strategist?

Social media professionals are always learning.

Platforms continuously roll out new updates and changes that impact businesses’ approach to social media content. Plus, social media is still such a new aspect of marketing! It’s still growing as a digital marketing channel, and we’re constantly changing how we approach content on these platforms.

However, there are a few universal skills which typically characterize the best social media strategists.

Writing

The best social media professionals are also top-notch copywriters. They know how to use language to bring a brand’s voice to life and connect with their followers. They use copy to evoke emotions, build rapport with their audience and develop their online image. They know when to add humor, add a cheeky caption and grab the attention of their followers. They also understand when to adopt a more somber or professional tone.

Digital marketing channels and best practices

Consistency is key when it comes to marketing. Even though the main focus is social media, you’ll also want to understand the different digital marketing channels and how they work together to benefit the business. With a strong understanding of digital marketing best practices, a strategist will be a vital asset to the marketing team. 

Social media platforms

A social media strategist needs to know all of the ins and outs of every social media platform if they want to effectively build out strategies. Knowing how campaigns will perform on each platform is a vital skill that will save the company time and money. You’ll also need to know the major differences between the different social media platforms, such as the content, audience, data and structural difference of the unique platform.

Data and analysis

A strategist is just as hands-on with data as they are with the content. You’ll need a strong understanding of KPIs and how to use data to develop a strategy that positively impacts your bottom line.

Common social media KPIs include:

• Engagement;
• Impressions;
• Follower growth;
• Conversions;
• Social shares. 

With the right KPIs, you can show the value of social media marketing and continue to make adjustments that benefit the company’s bottom line.

Design

A great deal of design is incorporated into social media. Content such as images, videos, infographics and other image-based content is typically preferred over text-based content.

Even though your marketing team may have a designer that helps with the creative content, it’s still important for the social media professional to have a keen eye for design.

What education will I need as a social media strategist?

Social media strategist positions have a similar trajectory as any other career in the marketing field. Most require individuals to have some level of experience before they move into an entry-level position. These entry-level positions will provide the skills learners need to advance their careers and eventually take on the title of a social media strategist.

A degree is sometimes the route of choice for aspiring social media strategists, though college degrees can take up years of your life — not to mention tens of thousands of dollars in student debt.

That’s why today, more and more aspiring social media professionals trust programs like our Digital Marketing Bootcamp, for high-level instruction that prepares you for the roles today’s companies need. 

What will I earn as a social media strategist?

As of 2022, social media strategists earn an average of $57,200 in the United States. However, the top 10% of highest-paid strategists earned $85,000 or higher.

What steps might I need to follow to become a social media specialist in 2022?

Learning how to become a social media specialist is the first step you need to take before landing a job as a strategist. Before you can develop strategies on your own, you need to get your hands dirty. You’ll need hands-on experience with data, content and different social platforms.

Once you’ve obtained sufficient education, the next step is to secure an entry-level position. Your next natural career progression would be to learn how to become a social media manager. Once you’ve worked hands-on with different companies and industries, you’ll feel more confident about tackling social media strategies to help build a brand’s online presence.

To stay competitive in the field, you’ll want to also consider enrolling in an online digital marketing course that will further your professional development.

Take your digital marketing knowledge to the next level

Learning how to develop social media strategies takes time. Growing into a social media strategist is about having the experience, making connections and knowing how to build a social media strategy a business will benefit from. It’s about keeping an open mind and learning about the latest social media developments and changes.

If you’re ready to start your career in social media, you’ll want to build your skillset and portfolio with a Digital Marketing Bootcamp. At WorkForce Institute, our team can provide the skills and the education you’ll need to accelerate your social media education and land the best social media marketing careers.

Request more information today to see if our Digital Marketing Bootcamp is a good fit for you and your career progression.