Overwhelming challenges in Digital Marketing
Businesses today know that Digital Marketing is essential for their success. As the Digital Marketing landscape evolves, so many more options are becoming available. Therefore, it’s not surprising that so many businesses and entrepreneurs are suffering from Digital Marketing overwhelm.
It doesn’t matter if you’re just starting out and want to learn more about Digital Marketing or you have been in the business for a long time. As you seek new ways to market yourself or your business, here are some simple actions you can do right away to help reduce Digital Marketing overwhelm.
How to navigate Digital Marketing and stay on top of your business goals.
There is a big difference between being overwhelmed by Digital Marketing and not knowing where to start. Maybe you’ve participated in one or two forms of it, yet struggle to see results or have no idea if its relevant for your business or not.
We recommend you start by applying these 3 steps to get your marketing back on track.
Step 1. Create a Digital Marketing Strategy
An effective Digital Marketing Strategy will provide you with a plan of action and prevent you from feeling overwhelmed. Your strategy should include the following:
- An outline of your business objectives, target market, and products/services you wish to promote/sell in your business.
- Relevant business objectives that are Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic, and Timely (S.M.A.R.T goals). When you know what your new goals are, you can decide which tools you need to achieve them.
- Audit of your existing digital channels and review of current marketing efforts. This will help you see what is working well and what needs to change. As well as any content gaps.
- Well-researched Buyer Personas so that understand your target market and where they hang out online. This will determine which digital channels will be most effective.
The above information should form your action and development plan to form the bones of your strategy. If you require more guidance and help with forming a channel-based strategy, then consider one of NZIE’s online short courses in Social Media Marketing or SEO Strategies.
Did you know that NZIE has strategy-based short courses? If you already know your answer for step 2 below (which digital channel you’ll use) we have two specialisations available. Namely one in Social Media Marketing and one in Search Engine Optimization. As a result, you can expect a co-created and customised strategy for your social media or SEO campaigns.
Step 2. Select a digital channel that works for your strategy
Each business is different, so choose a method that works for your strategy based on who you are targeting and your business model.
Digital Channels include:
- Email Marketing
- Paid Search – Pay Per Click Advertising
- Search Engine Optimisation
- Display Advertising
- Social Media Marketing
- Content Marketing
- Affiliate and Influencer Marketing
The channel(s) you choose need to be within your budget, knowledge and capabilities.
For example, some businesses cannot afford large ad spend budgets for paid ads. In addition, others may lack the time and resources to focus on improving organic search. This topic is discussed more in an article comparing Organic vs Paid Marketing challenges.
By developing a marketing strategy, you can then gain a better understanding of the digital channel(s) you want to use. However, avoid splitting your attention between multiple channels using different methods, especially if you are new to Digital Marketing. Or have an inexperienced team.
As Steve Jobs said: “Do not try to do everything. Do one thing well.”
Step 3. Implement your strategy, chosen method and channel.
By this point you should have a better idea and understanding of the method you have chosen. As well as hopefully feeling less overwhelmed. However, now is when you must “walk the talk” and put your strategy into play. But how do you do this?
Depending on your circumstances, such as time, budget and skills you have the following options:
- DIY – You could choose to self-taught route and implement your chosen strategy yourself. However, this will require additional time and research to find the best knowledge base to piece everything together.
- Outsource implementation – digital marketing agency or freelancer. If you have a decent marketing budget, this is a great opportunity. Be sure to go with an agency/freelancer who understands your business, goals, budget constraints and return on investment expectations.
- Upskill – Learn the skills you need. When upskilling with an institute like NZIE, you will not only gain the knowledge necessary to achieve DIY. But you will also be in a better position to manage someone if you outsource as well.
The NZIE Digital Marketing course is comprehensive NZQA-accredite Diploma covering all the main channels of Digital Marketing. You will develop practical skills and thorough understanding to execute the best marketing strategy for your business.
Knowledge is the key to success and avoiding Digital Marketing overwhelm.
To avoid Digital Marketing overwhelm, we believe it is important to understand the different types of Digital Marketing techniques and methods. Additionally, you can use this information to determine which products or services to offer, and through which channels. Furthermore, you will acquire the tools you need to achieve success during implementation stage.
Why NZIE?
NZIE tutors bring real-world experience to their classes, as they are all industry experts. Ultimately, you are learning practical skills that are up-to-date and effective for getting you ahead in the digital space.
You will gain a broader understanding of Digital Marketing as a result of this investment. More importantly, all courses are offered online, so you can study from home without affecting your current schedule.
Author: Jenni Harrison
