Is your company among the 46% that doesn't have a viable digital marketing strategy? Statistics show that even among businesses that do have a digital marketing plan, 16% don't know how to implement it. Keeping up with the constant changes in marketing platforms and metrics is tough, especially when you're trying to run a business; that's where a digital marketing company comes in. Read on to learn five essential things hiring a professional can do to further your interests.
Establish a Foundation
Establishing a strategy is one of the first things your digital marketing company will do. This is true whether you have a plan in place or you've been taking a hit-and-miss approach with your social media and marketing platforms. The first part of establishing a marketing foundation is to make a viable plan. Your digital marketing plan should:
– formalize your company goals
– identify your target market
– assess the competition
– create benchmarks and a means of measuring progress toward them
– determine how you will reach those milestones
– evaluate resources and deciding how to allocate them
Digital marketing is an essential part of doing business today, but it shouldn't be the only facet of your strategy. Once your marketing gurus have your digital marketing plan finalized, they need to integrate it into your overall marketing strategy.
Create Focus
One common issue – whether you're in the first phases of building your brand or in the process of re-branding – is lack of focus. You may be aware of social media and use it regularly, but you may not know how or where to direct your efforts advantageously. An independent marketing professional has the objectivity to see the bigger picture. This vision enables them redirect your efforts where they'll have the most impact.
Test Your Efforts
Ideally, you'll choose a company that does nothing but digital marketing. This specialization means that they have a greater awareness of changes in metrics and marketing trends. They'll be able to test new markets and directions. This also means that they'll have the knowledge, experience, and technology to check the effectiveness of your digital marketing in a meaningful, measurable way.
Provide Insight and Analysis
Analytics are important tools for determining the level of customer engagement, and providing measurable data and feedback. Professionals use powerful tools like Google Analytics as well as built-in metrics available for platforms like Facebook to track visitors, public interaction, and conversions. Platforms like BuzzSumo will tell you everything you need to know about the success of your content marketing.
Since algorithms, metrics and consumer behavior are in a constant state of flux, having a professional on your side who knows how to conduct this type of analysis and predict trends is beyond useful; it's an essential resource saver.
Give You Flexibility
While all of the abovementioned benefits provide you with information, it's also important to have the flexibility to make changes based on that information. A robust and dynamic digital marketing strategy allows you to quickly see where your efforts are working. That way, you can make informed decisions about where to alter your approach, when to pull resources from platforms that don't advance your interests, and how you can put your energy into those that are bearing fruit.
Digital marketing isn't the same as it was a few years ago, and tracking changes in technology and consumer trends can be a full-time job. However, doing so will keep your marketing efforts current, which is essential for achieving company growth and fostering brand loyalty.
Electronic marketing pros will pull all of your options together and give your company more direction. Choose a digital marketing company that shares your ideals, goals, and values, and then trust them to take care of the details so that you can focus on building a better brand.
Sources:
5 Steps to a Powerful Digital Marketing Strategy, DigitalMarketingInstitute.com
7 Important Digital Skills All Marketers Should Master In 2017, Forbes.com
10 reasons you need a digital marketing strategy in 2017, SmartInsights.com
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