Digital Marketing: Who, What, When, Where (and Why You Should Care)

Written by Rachel Boschen | Jan 15, 2024 5:00:00 AM

At the mere mention of "digital marketing" does your skin begin to crawl? Do your palms get sweaty and your teeth grit? Does your brain start swimming with questions? It shouldn't be this traumatizing. Anyone with a smartphone and fast thumbs has some sense of what digital marketing is and how it works. All you need is an ally to work through it with you, so you can save your teeth.

 

So, what is digital marketing anyway? Great question, glad you asked. Whether you're a seasoned CEO or a small business dreamer, understanding the basics of digital marketing is key to making your brand shine in the digital jungle. Let’s break it down.

Who?

Digital marketing is for everyone. You heard that right! It's for everyone. Got a product? A service? A message? Digital marketing is your BFF. It’s how small businesses go viral, how nonprofits build movements and how Fortune 500s stay at the top. It’s done by strategists, designers, data nerds, content creators, copywriters and social media sleuths — among other professionals, sometimes all rolled into one (shoutout to the multitaskers).

What?

It’s everything from Google ads to TikTok trends. Digital marketing includes:

  • SEO (so you show up on search engines)
  • PPC (those paid ads that follow you around)
  • Email marketing (still wildly effective, FYI)
  • Social media (no, you don’t have to dance)
  • Content marketing (blogs, videos, podcasts — you name it)
  • Analytics (because guessing is so last season)
  • If it lives online and makes your brand more visible, it's part of digital marketing.

Where?

Wherever your audience is, that’s where your marketing should be. Instagram? Yep. Facebook? Still relevant. Pinterest? A visual goldmine. TikTok? Viral central. LinkedIn? Professional and polished. Bluesky? Hey, we see you early adopters. Google search results, YouTube pre-roll ads, inboxes, apps — even your smart speaker? Alexa, are you listening? All fair game. Digital marketing happens anywhere with a Wi-Fi signal and a scroll-happy thumb.

When?

Right now. No, seriously. Digital marketing is happening 24/7. The internet doesn’t sleep, and neither does your brand presence. Whether you’re planning ahead or hopping on a trend, digital marketing works best when it’s consistent, strategic and always-on.

Why (okay, we snuck this one in)?

Because your audience is online. Digital marketing meets people where they are — on their phones, at their desks, while they’re pinning dream kitchens or checking Bluesky at midnight. If you’re not part of that world, you’re missing out on eyeballs, engagement and (let’s be honest) revenue.

Need help navigating it all? That’s what digital marketing professionals are here for — to help you realize your digital marketing dreams.

Make your brand unforgettable — in the best way. Want help building your digital presence with style and strategy? Drop us a line. We’re fluent in hashtags, algorithms and good old-fashioned storytelling.