How to get started with Digital Marketing

The digital marketing world is a vibrant, ever-evolving ecosystem. What worked last year might be obsolete today, leaving even seasoned marketers scratching their heads. But fear not! "The Best Digital Marketing" is your one-stop guide to navigating this dynamic landscape and emerging victorious.

Packed with the latest industry insights and battle-tested best practices, this article will empower you to:

  • Tap into untapped ad platforms: Discover hidden gems in the advertising world and unlock explosive audience reach.
  • Craft winning ad campaigns: Learn the secrets of crafting irresistible ads that convert clicks into customers.
  • Stay ahead of the curve: Gain in-depth knowledge of emerging trends and future-proof your digital marketing strategy.

What Is Digital Marketing?

Digital marketing is the utilization of the internet and various digital technologies to promote and sell products or services. It encompasses a wide range of activities, including Search, Display, Video, Social, Audio, DOOH, Data, Retail, and Mixed Reality.

The environments and formats used in digital marketing are constantly evolving as new technologies and platforms emerge. However, some of the most common formats include display, native, video, and audio.

Marketing Metrics

Understanding marketing metrics like Cost per Mille (CPM), impressions, and cost is crucial for optimizing your advertising campaigns. CPM tells you how much you pay to reach 1,000 viewers, allowing you to compare advertising costs across different platforms. Impressions represent the total number of times your ad is displayed, regardless of clicks or interactions. Cost refers to the total budget you spend on your campaign. These metrics work together:

  • Cost Calculators: Use the Cost Calculator to determine your total campaign budget based on the desired number of impressions and the CPM you're willing to pay.
  • CPM Calculators: Once you have your budget and target impressions, the CPM Calculator helps you calculate the CPM you need to reach your target audience.
  • Impression Calculators: Finally, the Impression Calculator lets you estimate the number of impressions achievable with your set budget and chosen CPM.

By understanding these metrics and using these calculators, you can make informed decisions about your advertising budget allocation, maximizing your reach and return on investment.

Digital Marketing Agencies

Several individuals and teams can be involved in executing digital ad strategies, depending on the size and complexity of the campaign and the organization's structure. Here are some of the key players:

Internal Teams:

  • Digital Marketing Specialists: These are the hands-on individuals who manage and optimize paid advertising campaigns across various platforms like search engines, social media, and display networks. They research keywords, create and manage ad copy, set budgets, and monitor performance.
  • Content Creators: Graphic designers, copywriters, and videographers work with specialists to create visually appealing and engaging ad creatives that resonate with the target audience.
  • Web Developers: They ensure smooth integration of ad pixels and tracking codes on the website for accurate data collection and analysis.
  • Data Analysts: They analyze campaign performance data, identify trends, and recommend adjustments to optimize campaigns for better results.

External Agencies:

  • Digital Marketing Agencies: Larger organizations often partner with full-service marketing agencies that offer a range of services, including strategy development, ad creation, campaign management, and reporting.
  • Specialized Agencies: Smaller businesses might opt for agencies specializing in specific areas like search engine marketing (SEM) or social media advertising.
  • Freelancers: Individual consultants or freelancers can help with specific tasks like keyword research, ad copywriting, or campaign management.

Ultimately, the best approach depends on your specific needs and resources.

Ad Platforms

Google Ads offers several campaign types beyond Search, Demand Gen, and Performance Max, each serving unique purposes: Display Network (Google Display Network), Video Campaigns (YouTube & Partners), Shopping Campaigns, and App Campaigns. Discover the differences between Performance Max and Demand Gen.

Google Ads' enhanced conversions feature plays a pivotal role in enhancing conversion tracking and unlocking powerful bidding strategies. Demystifying Enhanced Conversions in Google Ads: Web vs. Leads.

Device Types

Connected TV (CTV) redefines the relationship between television and digital marketing. These devices - including smart TVs, streaming sticks, and gaming consoles - bridge the gap between traditional television viewing and the online world. CTV's internet connectivity allows marketers to tap into a massive engaged audience who have shifted away from cable subscriptions.

CTV
CTV

In 2024, a study from tvScientific found CTV advertising outperforms other Digital Channels. According to a study from LG, half of CTV users wish all TV Ads had an option to buy the advertised product.

This platform offers unprecedented targeting capabilities, using viewer data to deliver personalized, relevant advertising experiences directly within streaming content on the big screen.

As CTV adoption continues to surge, it positions itself as an essential channel for digital marketers seeking to reach viewers where they're actively consuming entertainment.

Video is the ad format advertisers can use on Connected TV (CTV). Additional ad formats are overlay ads and companion ads. In April 2024, LinkedIn launched CTV Ads for B2B Marketers.