It’s never been easier to start a business than it is today.
The enormous success of online businesses has inspired thousands of people to take to the Internet and work for themselves, to profit directly off of their own sweat and tears without relying on Fortune 500 companies to do it for them.
So when entrepreneurs finally summon the backing and the confidence to start their own business, many of them think that the Internet is the new Silk Road.
It's fast, accessible, and on the surface easy to make a profit off of. Just a few digital marketing tricks, right?
The truth is a bit less glittering.
Digital marketing takes time, investment, and knowledge in order to pull it off. Doing it incorrectly can lead to some serious mistakes that will severely limit your marketing efforts.
Here are some of the common rookie mistakes I see many businesses committing in their digital marketing efforts.
1. You don’t know your target audience.
When it comes to successful digital marketing, the key element to success is knowing who you’re trying to reach.
To do this, the business needs to ask and answer questions about who their product is designed for, and how they’re going to reach them.
A great deal of research is required to get these answers, but it will make all the difference in formulating your marketing.
2. You’re not planning or strategizing for success.
Once the research phase is complete, you then need to create a strong road map that lists goals from an overall marketing standpoint as well as from the digital front.
This map should list how many clickthroughs should be generated, how many followers your business should have on social media, and how that will happen.
It also should have specific deadlines that will enable you to track progress and make adjustments when necessary based on the trends. I have found that a road map featuring a content curation calendar is key to tracking how you are doing as a business.
3. You’re not seeking to learn from others.
During the planning phase, many entrepreneurs believe that their own personal knowledge and whatever human resources they have will be enough to get going.
This causes many of them to ignore the vast resources the Internet already has that can aid them in their pursuit for success.
Don't be like that. You shouldn't be afraid to connect with experts in the field who can help you out or from looking at the campaigns of your competitors. Folks who make a living on the Internet exclusively and are successful at it know what they're talking about.
Follow them and take their advice! It can make a huge difference both in the early days as well as later down the road.
4. You’re not familiar with the best digital platforms.
When developing a digital strategy through social media, it's beyond imperative to be familiar with the platforms.
New ones come out all the time, so stay on top of the trends and see what the new kids on the block have to offer. Picking the right spots early can turn a business from a bandwagoner into a trendsetter, and that's always a good thing to be.
5. You’re not keeping up with digital marketing changes.
Marketing changes. Constantly.
Nowhere is this more true than in the field of SEO. It is a formidable beast that is constantly changing.
Stay disciplined and make sure that your website follows every new update from
6. You’re not responding to change.
Too often, digital marketers make the mistake of reading something as they start their plan and then staying in that rut for the duration of their campaign.
Don't fall into this category. If it's not clear, the digital landscape is constantly shifting. It's your job to see those changes and react to them in a way that will maintain your customers’ loyalty and trust.
7. You’re leaving it up to your marketing automation.
Social media marketing apps such as HootSuite and Sprout Social have made wrangling the Internet a whole lot simpler thanks to in-depth analytics tools and the ability to draft, schedule, and publish posts without ever having to be online.
While automation is important to maintaining a constant presence, you don't want to rely on it as the foundation for your campaign.
8. You’re not interacting with your audience.
Never ignore your audience on social media!
Reply to their comments. Retweet and like their posts. Let them know that they are on your mind and that they are important to you.
Interacting can go a long way in helping you stay connected, while also ensuring that you're consistently available to respond to criticism or conduct customer service.
9. You don’t understand analytics.
Analytics is a complicated field, but it’s essential for digital marketing. Pick an analytics platform, learn it, and stick with it. Google Analytics is the most popular, but there are others.
Identify your KPIs, and track the success of your marketing efforts.
10. You’re relying on digital channels alone for marketing success.
The biggest mistake young entrepreneurs make, however, is relying on the Internet for all of their marketing.
If you really want your business to succeed, unify your online and your offline campaigns. Augment your social media presence by taking pictures of your day-to-day activities. Land some spots on TV or radio. Make appearances at trade shows, conventions, and other events in your industry.
By doing this, you will ensure that your business stays in the front of your customer's mind no matter where they might be.
Conclusion
Marketing isn’t just about the tricks and tactics. It’s about a deep-seated commitment to know your audience, deliver what they want, and provide answers to their problems.
As long as you’re doing that, you’re on the right track.
What are some rookie mistakes that you’ve made in your digital marketing?
