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Digital Marketing 101: Digital Marketing Explained in Around 500 Words

by Hailey Hudson
Read Time: 3 minutes
Infographic of 4 people collaborating on a task with a bullseye on the top left corner

Do you need Digital Marketing 101? You aren’t alone– many of us could use a refresher on digital marketing basics.

There’s a lot of content on the internet about digital marketing. If most of it confuses you, you aren’t alone. With terms like conversion rate optimization, net promoter score, and responsive design being thrown around, it’s no wonder that digital marketing can seem like a tough egg to crack.

That’s where this blog post comes in. Today we’re breaking down digital marketing in words you can actually understand — and around 500 of them. Ready? The countdown is already ticking, so let’s jump right in.

What Is Digital Marketing?

Digital marketing is any marketing that’s done online.

Yes, really. It’s that simple. The term digital marketing refers to any marketing — in other words, promoting your product or service — that uses the internet and digital communication.

Channels like email, social media, and your website are all features of digital marketing. Digital marketing can also happen off the internet via channels like SMS messages.

What are Digital Marketing Channels?

There are several digital marketing channels that brands use. Your website is one of the most important. It represents your brand and it’s where most conversions probably take place. 

Email marketing and social media marketing are also excellent channels to focus on. Email marketing is a valuable method of turning your leads into customers. And social media campaigns can boost your brand awareness, helping establish authority and trust.

Pay-per-click advertising, or PPC, lets you place ads that reach people on a variety of digital platforms (think Google Ads). Content marketing such as blogs, ebooks, and online courses is another popular form of digital marketing, and for good reason: It helps educate, engage, and retain customers.

How Does Digital Marketing Work?

The process of creating and implementing a digital marketing campaign starts with setting a goal and a budget for the campaign. Next, you’ll plan and craft content — maybe social media posts, videos, or ebooks — that is tailored to your target audience.

You’ll distribute this content on various digital channels. And finally, don’t forget to track metrics like engagement and conversions to give you an idea of how well the campaign performed. After this campaign is finished, rinse and repeat.

Even when briefly summarized, it might sound like a lot of work — and really, that’s because it is. There’s no way to sugarcoat it. The best digital marketing campaign strategies require an investment of both money and time. But when done right, the results are massive: In one study, 86% of marketers increased brand awareness by using one or more digital marketing channels.

H2: What is Freelance Digital Marketing?

Some small businesses feel like they can use a little help with their digital marketing, but aren't ready to pay a full-time staffer to handle it. That’s where a freelance digital marketer comes in. A freelancer is a person who is contracted to provide a specific service or set of services. You may be able to find freelancers to handle:

  • Crafting your digital marketing plan and digital strategy
  • Managing your Google Analytics
  • Creating a killer landing page

You may also hire a freelancer who specializes in one (or more) form of marketing, such as

  • Influencer marketing
  • Digital advertising
  • Video marketing

H2: Where to Start with Digital Marketing?

It can take time to master all you need to know about digital marketing. We hope that these digital marketing tips for beginners will help get the ball rolling. But you don’t have to go it alone.

With the right tools at your fingertips, you can save yourself both money and time. That’s where DirectLync comes in. With our easy-to-use tools backed by top-notch customer support, you will be well on your way to planning and executing your digital marketing strategy. Try it out for yourself for free!