What's Digital Marketing?
Digital marketing = Using the internet to get customers! 🌍
It's everything online: your website, social media, email, Google ads, YouTube videos - all working together to grow your business.
Think of it as your complete online game plan! 🎮
How Social Media Fits Into the Big Picture
The Customer Journey
Discovery (Social Media)
They see your TikTok video and think 'This looks interesting!' First impression made!
Research (Google + Website)
They Google you and check your website. Your SEO and site design need to impress!
Consideration (Email + Retargeting)
They join your email list or see your ads following them around. Stay top of mind!
Purchase (All Channels)
They buy! Could be from an email, an ad, or directly from social. Everything worked together!
The 5 Main Ways to Reach Customers Online
Search (Google)
SEO to show up free, or pay for Google Ads. Be there when people search for what you sell!
Content (Blog/Video)
Create helpful content people love. Blogs, YouTube videos, podcasts - become the expert!
Social Media
Connect directly with customers. Post, engage, build community. Make friends who buy!
Stay in touch with people who like you. Send helpful tips, offers, updates. Direct line!
Paid Ads
Pay to get in front of the right people fast. Facebook ads, Google ads, retargeting.
How to Make Everything Work Together (The Secret Sauce!)
| Channel | What It's Best For | How to Connect | Pro Tip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Social Media 😍 | Building relationships | Drive to email signup | Be authentic & helpful |
| Email 📧 | Nurturing & selling | Share on social | Provide real value |
| Website 🌐 | Converting visitors | Link from everywhere | Make it fast & clear |
| Google Ads 📢 | Instant visibility | Match social messaging | Test everything |
| Content 📝 | Building authority | Repurpose everywhere | Solve real problems |
💡 The Golden Rule of Digital Marketing:
Same message, different packaging!
- Blog post → Instagram carousel → TikTok video → Email newsletter
- One idea, four different ways to share it
- Each channel feeds the others
- Everything points back to your main goal
Result: You're everywhere, but you're not overwhelming yourself!
Consideration stage, Information and comparisons that influence decisions
Purchase stage, Final conversion and transaction processes
Retention stage, Post-purchase engagement and loyalty building
Data integration
Cross-channel analytics, Understanding how channels work together
Attribution modeling, Crediting channels appropriately for conversions
Customer data platforms, Unified view of customer interactions
Marketing automation, Automated responses based on customer behavior
Digital marketing with SocialRails
SocialRails supports integrated digital marketing through:
Multi-platform coordination, Manage social media alongside other digital channels
Content distribution, Share content across social and other digital platforms
Analytics integration, Track social media's role in broader digital marketing success
Campaign coordination, Align social media with other digital marketing campaigns
Customer journey support, Use social media effectively at each stage of the customer journey
Quick digital marketing integration checklist
✅ Align social media with overall digital marketing objectives
✅ Coordinate messaging across all digital channels
✅ Share data insights between channels for optimization
✅ Map customer journeys to understand channel roles
✅ Integrate analytics for complete performance measurement
✅ Cross-promote content across all digital channels
✅ Maintain brand consistency in all digital touchpoints
Digital marketing success comes from strategic integration of all channels, with social media playing a crucial role in building relationships, driving engagement, and supporting the complete customer journey.