This was me two years ago. After years of working for a major power tool supplier and travelling the world, I started a new role as Marketing Manager for a digital company. I was over the moon about this exciting opportunity. But reality hit me hard and quick. I knew how to calculate the right anchor solution, sell concrete saws and how to pitch the latest cordless hammer drill. But keywords, meta tags, SEO, PPC, buyer personas and nurture campaigns only raised question marks for me. My confidence to master this role and help the business grow dropped below zero and resulted in sweaty palms and daily panic. I realised I had no clue what my colleagues were talking about.
We all know it’s imperative for businesses to implement digital marketing solutions to get more clients and secure future growth. At the same time, it can be overwhelming for busy business owners or marketers to get their head around this vast and ever changing topic. But I promise it doesn’t have to be difficult to understand digital marketing and stay on top of it.
Fast forward two years, I’m now leading the marketing team and am a digital expert. There are countless possibilities to understand digital marketing from basic to advanced level. And it’s FUN!
If you are a business owner or marketer, here are a few simple tips how to dive into the world of digital.
Free Online Training:
There are countless companies and educational organisation offering free digital marketing training courses which are available online. From very basic to advanced sessions including presentations, video tutorials, webinars and certifications you can find what you need. A few of my favourites are Google’s Digital Garage, Hubspot Academy’s Inbound Marketing Certification and Coursera’s Business Marketing Courses. YouTube also offers an unlimited amount of free tutorials which are worth checking too.
Sign up to Your Favourite Blogs:
Get a regular dose of online marketing tips and the latest digital trends delivered directly to your inbox. The trick here is to only subscribe for a few. When I started in digital marketing, I signed up for every blog I came across which made my inbox explode and this freaked me out every morning. Now I only subscribe to a few of my favourite blogs, and that works. Some examples are MarTech, Social Media Examiner, Econsultancy, WordStream and of course the legendary Gary Vee.
Attend Conferences and Events:
If you are a bit like me and you prefer face-to-face interactions and listening to inspiring speakers, this one is for you. Get your ticket for digital talks and conferences. Some of them come with a price tag, but you’ll leave with new contacts and feeling inspired with ideas. A few examples in Australia are Salesgasm’s Intrigue Summit, and Interactive Minds. But also check for Digital Marketing Events on Eventbrite – they offer great options for good value.
Work With a Digital Marketing Consultant:
If you are a busy business owner, you probably don’t have the time to educate yourself on digital marketing. In this case, focus on what you do best – which is running your business. Rather than getting overwhelmed by digital marketing, or worse, sticking your head in the sand, find a trusted advisor who helps you set up a strategy that captures, converts and tracks.
Actioning a few of these tips will quickly build up your knowledge, not only having a direct impact on your business but also equipping you to have more professional conversations in case you choose to outsource your digital marketing. If you want to hear more about the services we offer at ReachLocal, get in touch with us today.
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