Become an Expert in These Key Digital Marketing Skills
Digital marketing today encompasses a variety of services, and that means that you need to be well versed in more than just how to upload a blog. To become a trusted source, you need to actually know what you’re doing and the effects of what you’re doing on an overall marketing strategy. We no longer live in a Mad Men era, and while modern day marketers can still learn a thing or two from all-star Don Draper, audiences are now in control, not ad agencies. That means you need to cater to your audience which requires that you have a team with the abilities to reach your audience, and in this day and age, that means digitally.
So what key digital marketing skills should you make sure are present in your team?
- Technical Skills: There is no denying that we live in a tech-driven world and if you’re going to effectively compete, you need people on your team who are adept in technical skills. We’re not saying to fire that awesome marketer you have just because they aren’t the best with computers, but you need to make sure you have someone on your team who is. You may not initially need someone who understands how to navigate the email marketing system or CRM you use, but you definitely need someone with the technical skills to learn how.
- SEO: Everyone wants to be at the top of Google and with a good understanding of search engine optimization, anyone can get there. No matter how great a product is, if consumers can’t find it online then the chances of success are diminished. Make sure you have people on your team who understand not just that you want to appear in organic search results, but also how to get you there.
- SEM: Paid search can drive huge results when structured properly so it’s important to have people on your team with an understanding of SEM. Paid search is not simply putting money behind an ad – you need to understand how to evolve with the changing landscape and how to make good decisions based on results.
- Social Media: Social media isn’t going anywhere any time soon so you need to make sure you have people on your team who know how to launch and maintain an effective social media campaign. Just because you use social media personally does not mean that you know everything there is to know and that you can use it to a brand’s advantage. You need people on your team who eat, sleep and breathe social media and who are on top of the latest and greatest in social strategies.
- Coding and Programming: Depending on what services you offer, you may not need a master coder, but you need people on your team who at least understand the basics of programming and coding. Don’t let your company hit a wall because you can’t fix a simple problem yourself.
- Writing and Content Marketing: When you’re trying to sell a product or service, it’s about more than just how great your product or service is – it’s about how you convey the benefits of your product/service. You need people on your team who can articulate, know the ins and outs of grammar, and who know that the most effective message changes depending on how the message is sent out. The language used to create an effective Tweet is different from the language used in blogging and even on other social media sites. Find people who understand how to reach the right audience through the written word.
Remember, not everyone on your team needs to be well versed in all of the above, but you need to make sure that you’re covering all your bases. Most importantly, you need a team with the ability to stay current in the latest of all the above skills. The digital landscape changes quickly and if you’re not on top of it, you’re not going to be able to compete. Click here to learn more about key digital marketing skills and how they can help you bring your business to the next level of success.