If you’re reading this, I assume that you’re either already creating content to promote, or you’re just getting started with affiliate marketing (or both). In either case, congratulations! You’re here; that’s a good start.

However, if you’re new to the world of online marketing and wondering how to get started, don’t worry. You’re in the right place. In this article, we’ll give you a complete overview of everything you need to know about marketing on the internet. And if you’re really eager to get started, you can even jump to the bottom and grab the optional bonus material. So let’s get started.

Why Do I Need To Market Online?

As noted above, you either already know or you just found out that you need to market online. But if you’re still wondering exactly why, here’s a good answer: because there’s so much competition. And to stand out from the crowd, you need to be able to attract and retain customers.

When it comes to marketing, traditional methods (such as radio ads) don’t work as well anymore. The reason is that consumers have learned to ignore ads by picking up the phone and calling the company themselves. Or they’ll visit a website, find what they’re looking for, and never give your website a thought again.

But the internet is different. The lines between marketing and sales have blurred, and consumers now have the power to research products and companies online before buying anything. For better or worse, the internet has leveled the playing field.

And so instead of relying on traditional marketing methods, you need to rely on digital marketing. Which, as noted above, is simply marketing done online. So you might ask- why do I need a website? Why don’t I just market through social media? The answer is simple: because social media is free, and websites cost money to maintain.

The Differences Between Traditional And Digital Marketing

Traditional marketing, as noted above, doesn’t work well in today’s world. Why? People have learned to ignore ads and spam by using search engines and social media platforms. So instead of just reaching out to people and trying to sell them your product/service, you need to learn to work with digital marketing technologies (i.e., search engines, social media, and email marketing).

When used effectively, these technologies can help you establish credibility, build trust, and drive profitable growth.

Also, keep in mind that your target audience is changing. A few years ago, people would flock to social media, see your brand’s name in their feed, and then click on your content. Today, people are researching products and companies online before buying anything, so your potential customers might not even be aware that your brand even exists. They might not know what your brand represents, or they might not agree with your viewpoints. In this case, you’ll need to use other marketing methods (i.e., SEO, content creation, and social media) to get the word out.

SEO (Search Engine Optimization)

If you’ve been paying attention to SEO in recent years, you’ll know that it’s changed a lot. Back in the day, you would want your website to be as high-ranking as possible in search results for a relevant keyword. But today, high SEO is more about helping consumers find what they’re looking for quickly and accurately.

So instead of trying to “game the system” and trick the search engine, you should be striving to provide the best user experience possible. One way to do this is through proper keyword usage and incorporating relevant visuals (i.e., using high-quality images and videos).

Content Creation

If you’ve been paying attention to the content on this site, you’ll know that we love a good listicle. And so, instead of simply rehashing what we’ve already covered above, let’s tackle marketing from a different perspective. What is content creation? Simply put, content creation is the art of producing content that will attract, engage, and retain customers. As an online marketer, you might be tempted to write an article on the most popular products on the internet. If so, you’re doing it wrong. Instead, you should be concentrating on creating high-quality content to promote more complex products and services.

To give you an example, let’s say that you are selling pet products and want to promote the fact that your pets love exploring new places and making new friends. Instead of writing an article on the most popular dogs or cats in America (which would probably be about pet health and nutrition), you could write an article on the fun adventures that a pet could have if they adopted a more independent attitude. Or you could write an article on how to create the perfect vacation for your pet and family. This content might include things like tips on where to visit, what to do, and how to have a great time.

Your goal with content creation is to produce content that is helpful, interesting, and well-written. Essentially, you want to create content that will make your customers feel smart, insightful, and like they’ve benefited from your company’s product or service. In most cases, the more you put in it, the more you get out of it. Don’t expect to pour your heart into a piece of content and have it pay off financially. That’s the nature of the beast when it comes to digital marketing.

Email Marketing

Last but not least, let’s discuss email marketing. We get it, you’ve heard of email marketing, but you might not know exactly what it is. Email marketing is, simply put, the art of sending promotional emails to people you know will be interested in your product or service.

To get started, just follow these simple rules: find a company that provides customer support and has a physical address (this will make it easy to verify your email), choose a free email service (i.e., Gmail), and then just begin sending out emails. You’ll eventually collect a list of interested leads who have opted-in to receive email communications from you.

Emails aren’t going away, and neither are QR codes. Don’t be afraid to try out new things, experiment, and see what works best for your business.