Being a digital marketing expert might sound like it would take years of professional training, but if you really think about the concept of digital marketing, you might find out that you’re already an expert. That’s because digital marketing is the act of marketing through a digital medium, and as all things digital, it is streamlined, accessible and fast. Here are 15 signs you are a digital marketing expert.
1. You know what SEO means
SEO stands for search engine optimization, and it is widely considered to be the future of digital marketing. Over the years, marketers have found that ranking high on search engines brings in a lot of users, and as such have sought after the best techniques and tactics to achieve that high ranking.
2. You know what Blog means
What started out as a niche hobby quickly expanded into a powerful digital marketing tool thanks to the aforementioned SEO practices. A blog is an essential tool for all digital marketers.
3. You’ve published something online
If you’ve ever written an article and have posted it online, you have already generated content that can draw in users.
4. You know how to use Google
It might sound commonplace, but being able to use Google effectively means that you can source information for your content, learn new digital marketing tactics and find out what the competition is doing.
5. Social media is your second home
Posting content and advertising on social media is the bread and butter of the digital marketer. If you know your way around Twitter, LinkedIn, Facebook, Google +, etc. you’re halfway to being a digital marketing expert.
6. You understand the term conversion
Conversion refers to the act of converting a user into a paying customer (or into a user who is deeper down the sales funnel). As you can imagine, conversion is the focus of many facets of the marketing industry, with companies that offer optimization, analytics and split testing services, among others.
7. You know what keyword stuffing is
And you know that it’s bad. Keyword stuffing can get you in trouble with Google, as it is considered a black hat tactic by the algorithm. Keyword stuffing refers to the act of “stuffing” as many keywords as possible into the text of your website, or within your blog posts.
8. You have Snapchat on your phone
Speaking of social media, Snapchat represents the next generation, and it is currently one of the fastest growing social media platforms. Don’t worry if you don’t know how to use it yet, just know that it should be on your radar.
9. You know that Content is King
If real estate has Location, Location, Location, digital marketing has Content is King. This phrase refers to the fact that success in digital marketing comes from offering value through great content.
10. You’ve made an online purchase
If you’ve been convinced to purchase something online, odds are that you’ve gained a basic understanding of how the process works, and how it can be made better.
11. You think strategically
A digital marketer always has a goal in mind and a rough road-map of how to get there. If you think multiple steps ahead, prepare before starting and like to anticipate both victories and failures, you will be able to be a part of a digital marketing campaign.
12. You love to learn
Digital marketing is a constantly evolving industry, with new devices, tools and techniques coming into play every few months. Google might roll out a new update, a new social media platform might pop up, or a new, more efficient technique might be discovered.
13. You love data
Once you get into the thick of it, digital marketing is all about measuring data and comparing it to your expectations.
14. You do not mind specializing
As with everything in life, specialization is where it’s at. Being a generalist is positive in the beginning, but as you learn more and more about digital marketing, you will find that you appreciate certain aspects of the discipline more.
15. You love details
Digital marketing is not a perfect science, and as such, when things go wrong, the people who notice tiny imperfections, such as geo-targeting or day-parting mistakes, tend to save the day. If you have an eye for details, you already have a leg up as a digital marketer.