7 Digital Marketing Strategies You Should Already be Doing

Written by

Talent Garden

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Marketers face many challenges. They have to determine a target audience, discern their wants and needs, and then create content that satisfies these requirements on top of all of this. They have to keep up with an ever-changing digital landscape. As technology advances, the trends and strategies for digital marketing must continually shift to keep up. This isn’t easy. Not only are their new softwares and technologies arriving on the market each year, but the way people interact with these channels changes too.

Here, we’ve compiled a list of what we deem to be the most vital digital marketing strategies for you to focus on in 2023. But first…

What is a digital marketing strategy?

A digital marketing strategy is a data-informed plan that identifies your marketing goals and how you’ll reach them. It should specify which channels you will utilize (SEO, email, social media, etc.), establish a schedule for your plan, and, crucially, dictate how much budget you’ll set aside in pursuing your marketing goals.

The importance of digital marketing strategy

In this day and age, it shouldn’t take much to convince you of the importance of digital marketing strategies. A digital marketing strategy is essential for businesses looking to grow and succeed in today's digital landscape. Just in case, though, here are just a few reasons you should focus your efforts on digital marketing strategy in 2023:

Increased brand awareness - Primarily, it helps businesses increase their brand awareness by reaching a wider audience through online channels such as social media, search engines, and email marketing.
Improved customer targeting - Digital marketing also allows businesses to target specific audiences based on demographics, interests, behaviours, and more. This enables businesses to reach the right people with the right message, leading to higher conversion rates.
Cost-effective - Compared to traditional marketing methods such as TV or print ads, digital marketing can be more cost-effective too. Digital marketing channels such as social media and email marketing are relatively inexpensive, allowing businesses to reach a wider audience without breaking the bank.
Measurable results - With digital marketing, businesses can track and measure their results, providing valuable insights into customer behaviour. This data can be used to optimize campaigns, improve ROI, and drive business growth.
Improved customer experience - By leveraging data and technology, businesses can create personalized and relevant content that engages customers and improves the overall customer experience. This leads to increased customer loyalty and advocacy.

Digital marketing strategies you should prioritize in 2023

So, those are the reasons you should be trying to formulate the best, most effective, widest-reaching digital marketing strategy you can in 2023. Now, let's look at ways to implement this.

Make the most of free or low-cost tools.

Keeping things cost-efficient has been and will always be an important part of a digital marketer’s job. The good news is there are more and more cheap and low-cost tolls for digital marketers coming on the market each year.

When setting up your blog, for instance, you can use free blogging platforms like WordPress and save costs by only adding essential widgets and themes. It’s also very easy to find cheap io domains these days too. There are plenty of free-to-use design tools like Canva to produce graphic designs for your content. Then, Google Analytics is a fantastic way to measure results without paying a penny.
Consider leveraging e-commerce platforms to streamline your online store management and enhance your product offerings. This can be highly beneficial as e-commerce platforms provide a range of features and tools that simplify inventory management, order fulfilment, and customer support.

Voice search optimization

Over 50% of Americans use voice search daily. With virtual assistants like Siri and Alexa growing ever more prevalent, voice search optimization is becoming a more valuable marketing avenue to invest in than ever. Also, as more businesses start to optimize for voice search, those that don't risk falling behind. If businesses optimize their content for voice search, it can give them an edge over their competitors. It can also increase the likelihood of being chosen as the top result when people use voice search to look for information. Not only are voice searches becoming more prevalent, but voice search queries tend to have higher intent than typed queries. For example, someone typing "best restaurants" may be just researching, while someone asking their voice assistant "What are the best restaurants near me?" is likely looking for a place to eat right now. Digital Marketing

What’s more, with voice search, users can quickly find information or complete tasks quickly and hands-free, making it a much more convenient user experience. We all know that digital marketers can’t ignore UX.

Social media and influencer marketing

Major social media apps are always evolving and growing more popular. As such, they remain an essential part of any effective digital marketing strategy. Tiktok, for instance, produced roughly $9.4 billion of revenue in 2022, a 100% increase from 2021. The app had 1.4 billion monthly active users and this is expected to reach 1.8 billion by 2024. The two ways we recommend capitalizing on the potential of social media marketing are micro-influencers and user-generated content. While influencer marketing will continue to be popular, micro-influencers with smaller followings are becoming more sought after in 2023. This is due to their highly engaged audiences and more affordable rates. User-generated content (UGC) is becoming more popular as customers value authenticity and connection with brands. Brands can encourage customers to create and share their content, such as photos and videos, and then use them in their marketing efforts. This is an incredibly cost-effective way to build brand reputation, further your marketing reach, and keep your socials active. Another tip: make sure you're using the best tools for Social Media Managers.

Augmented Reality (AR) and Virtual Reality (VR)

There is growing evidence that the use of augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) in digital marketing can have a positive impact on customer engagement, brand awareness, and sales. AR and VR are already being used in gaming and entertainment industries, but they are expected to gain more ground in the marketing industry. Technologies like virtual fitting rooms and 360-degree videos allow customers to interact with products and services in a more immersive way. Not only will this increase customer engagement it can actually boost sales too. According to a survey by Retail Perceptions, 61% of shoppers prefer to shop at stores that offer AR experiences, and 40% said they would be willing to pay more for a product if they could experience it through AR. Another thing, these are currently cutting-edge technologies and a very small percentage of retailers are employing them. This means they could give you a real competitive edge!

AI-powered chatbots

The potential for marketing automation is a real game changer. Artificial Intelligence is coming to play a crucial role in every industry in every department in every role. AI can provide everything from CRM systems to market trend predictions to quick and easy payroll solutions. It only makes sense that it will revolutionize the world of digital marketing too. 99% of B2B marketers say AI chatbots increase their lead conversion rates. Really this is unsurprising when you consider the astronomic engagement rates chatbots generate in comparison to other channels. The average open rate for private messages is 98%, five times more than the average open rate for email (20%). Chatbots have been around for a while now, but AI-powered chatbots are becoming more sophisticated and can offer personalized customer experiences. They can answer questions, provide recommendations, and even place orders on behalf of customers.

Image sourced from thrivemyway.com

Integration of social responsibility

This is not so much a tool or strategy to use but more of a principle that digital marketers should follow. Customers are increasingly conscious of social and environmental issues and appreciate brands that make an effort to integrate social responsibility into their digital marketing strategies. By making a small change to your digital marketing strategies, you can experience some unexpected advantages for your business. Specifically, this shift can enhance your brand's reputation, appeal to socially conscious consumers, and decrease the likelihood of being boycotted. These positive outcomes can lead to stronger relationships with customers, increased loyalty, and even higher levels of employee engagement. There are so many ways to go about this. The best way to start is by simply linking and sharing social causes and projects on social media. If your company is making efforts to be more sustainable, be sure to broadcast these too. If nothing else, then use your blog and other media channels to promote ethical business practices.

Equipping your team with the right tools

This is another principle digital marketers should follow. In recent years, there have been a number of softwares and online tools developed that can make the job of a digital marketer much easier. The potential for AI-generated content is the obvious development here. Apps like Chat-GPT and Google’s Bard can streamline a content creator’s work. Then, there are apps to help improve readability, help with grammar, and check if AI-generated content sounds too robotic, making editors’ lives easier too. Additionally, marketing dashboards can provide valuable insights and analytics, allowing digital marketers to track the performance of their campaigns and make data-driven decisions. However, this doesn't have to stop with content creation. You can keep your team on the same page using project management softwares like Asana or Monday.com. Also, you can focus more on your marketing priorities by reducing peripheral tasks and admin with automated payroll solutions and similar tools.

Keep on top of your digital marketing strategy

In the fast-paced world of digital marketing, it can be difficult to determine the most effective strategy for your business. With new tools, platforms, and trends constantly emerging, it's easy to get pulled in different directions. However, executing digital marketing campaigns can be complex, and investing significant resources into a misguided plan can be a frustrating setback. To optimize your digital marketing strategy for 2023, it's important to conduct thorough research, identify the most effective methods and tools, and capitalize on the latest trends. By doing so, you can ensure that your approach is tailored to your audience and stays ahead of the competition.

Article updated on: 11 December 2023

Written by

Talent Garden, Digital Skills Academy

7 Digital Marketing Strategies You Should Already be Doing

What is a digital marketing strategy?

The importance of digital marketing strategy