Are you interested in becoming an online marketer? Do you want to be able to create and grow your own business from the ground-up, without having to navigate unknown territory?
If so, then you’ve made the right decision by exploring the world of online marketing classes! We’ll introduce you to the various theoretical frameworks, methodological tools, and real-life examples that can teach you everything you need to know to start your career today.
The BASICS
Before you get started, it’s important to familiarize yourself with the underlying principles and terminology associated with online marketing. Keep in mind:
- The basics of SEO.
- How paid advertising functions.
- The importance of conversion optimization.
- The various components of a digital marketing plan.
- And much more!
Also, since you’ll be learning online, it’s essential that you have access to a reliable, quality WiFi network. Without high-speed Internet access, you may struggle to effectively learn the theory and tools behind digital marketing.
Why Learn Online Marketing From Scratch?
With so much information available online, it’d be unwise to think that you can learn everything about marketing in a traditional classroom setting. While there is certainly value in gaining expertise in a live, in-person environment, you’ll benefit far more from online marketing courses than you would from a single marketing class or even a few classes in a series.
Additionally, since a successful digital marketing strategy naturally incorporates a variety of tactics and skills, you should consider becoming an online marketer as a stepping-stone to a full-time career in marketing. If you have an MBA or a related degree, you may be better positioned to succeed in this new world of marketing, which focuses heavily on analytics and measurement.
What Will You Learn From Theories To Practice?
To begin with, you’ll explore seven major theoretical frameworks that have shaped modern marketing. From these foundational theories, you’ll be able to develop a solid foundation in online marketing. After completing this initial phase, you will move on to explore how to implement these theories into practical strategies and tactics. By the end of the program, you will be ready to enter the workforce and start a career in digital marketing.
The SEVEN MAJOR THEORETICAL FRAMEWORKS
The foundations of marketing are built on solid theory, which forms the backbone of the subject. While all markets are different, and theories can and do change, these seven major frameworks still rule the roost. So let’s take a quick look at each one, including a brief explanation of how they influence modern marketing.
Firstly, let’s discuss SEM (Search Engine Marketing)
The first of the seven major theoretical frameworks is search engine marketing, or SEM for short. Simply put, SEA is a form of marketing that promotes a product or service by manipulating a search engine’s algorithm to surface that product or service in the result lists.
To do this, you must first identify the right keywords for your product or service. Next, you will develop a strategy to incorporate these keywords into the text of your website or blog content. Finally, you’ll use various tools to track the keywords you’ve selected, as well as the performance of your overall strategy.
In addition to SEM, you’ll also learn about click fraud, keyword stuffing, and paid ads. All of these are methods that search engines like Google and Bing employ to ensure that their users have the best possible experience when using their platforms. You’ll learn how to identify and avoid SEO traps, as well as optimize your efforts to improve your SEO.
Next, we’ll discuss Influencer Marketing
Next on our list is influencer marketing, or IM for short. Think of an influencer as a brand or an entity that is highly influential within the society at large. When someone decides to buy a product or service promoted by an influencer, that individual’s opinion and opinion-share is key in driving the demand for that product or service.
To create and grow an audience that will engage with your content, you must first become a popular influencer in your industry. You’ll then use your platform to share valuable insights and advice about the topic you’re experienced in.
As you gain popularity, you’ll be approached by brands and companies that want to work with you. To ensure the sustainability of your career as an influencer, you must continue to grow your audience and maintain a high level of engagement. To do this, you will diversify your content to include blog posts, videos, and even live speeches. Additionally, you can use various tools and platforms to track the performance of your overall strategy, identify your top performing content, and benchmark your growth against your peers.
Next, we’ll discuss Community Marketing
The next major theoretical framework is community marketing. Think of this as the opposite of influencer marketing. Instead of focusing on the individual, community marketing takes a broader look at the group of people that make up a community. When someone in the community finds and uses your product or service, you can be certain that they will spread the word about it, and possibly even promote it on social media channels and forums.
To begin a community marketing campaign, you will first identify the right group of people. Once you’ve done this, you can start to determine the kind of content you’ll need to create to engage this audience. Depending on the nature of your product or service, you may need to consider a multi-channel strategy to effectively reach community members.
For example, say you’re the CEO of a marketing agency that specializes in web design. You may decide to create a blog to generate leads and establish your expertise in the field. Additionally, you may want to develop a Facebook group for web designers to connect with other members of the community, as well as share helpful tips and advice.
Once you’ve created this initial content, you can determine the frequency and schedule with which you’ll publish new content. This will largely depend on the nature of your product or service, as well as your budget. For example, a luxury goods company that’s sponsoring your content might want you to publish a blog post once a week, while an eCommerce store that sells inexpensive items might want you to produce content on a more frequent basis.
Although content marketing will often form the backbone of your strategy, you should remember that community marketing isn’t solely about advertising and sales. To get the most out of this broad perspective, you will need to develop a healthy dose of humility, in addition to a growth mindset. Remember, you’re working with a community, and you must earn their trust, before you can expect them to do any kind of buying, or even thinking about buying, your product or service.
Moving On, We Have Social Marketing
The next three theoretical frameworks are all related to one another, and they form a sort of family tree within the realm of digital marketing. First, we have social marketing. Simply put, SM for short is a form of marketing that encourages people to talk about and engage with your product or service on social media.
To begin with, you’ll want to establish multiple accounts on the major social media channels, such as Twitter and Facebook. Once you’ve done this, you can begin to build your audience on these platforms by sharing relevant content about your industry and your unique insights into the subject.
To drive traffic to your website or blog, you can create blogs and articles that are valuable and informative. Additionally, you can use platforms like Twitter to share and engage with people in your industry. When others in your industry find and follow you, they may also follow your blogs and read your articles. Ultimately, this will lead them to the products and services you promote, which in turn, can generate sales.
One important thing to keep in mind when using social media for marketing is to always stay active on these platforms. If you’re not updating your status on a regular basis, you’re losing out on the opportunity to engage with your audience and gain their trust. Additionally, you should never, ever give away your personal passwords to anybody. Having access to your accounts is a great way to gain confidence and prove to your audience that you’re not actively trying to deceive them. Additionally, make sure that you’re keeping your audience informed about the latest trends and news in your industry. They should always feel like they’re getting the most up-to-date and relevant information out there.