Timothy Kimani Njugush’s first foray into digital marketing was a humbling experience. He sat at his desk, fingers flying across the keyboard as he crafted a social media post to promote his friend’s freelance writing services. The post read, “My friend is a great writer! Hire him!” He hit publish, waited, and… crickets. His friend’s phone remained eerily silent.
Fast forward to today, and Njugush is a seasoned digital marketer and content creator. He’s built a reputation for crafting campaigns that cut through the noise and drive real results. But he’s also keenly aware of the challenges of standing out in a crowded online marketplace. “It’s like trying to find a needle in a haystack,” he says, shaking his head.
So, how does Njugush rise above the noise and get noticed? “For me, it’s all about creative digital marketing strategies,” he explains. “It’s about thinking outside the box, experimenting with new ideas, and using innovative methods to engage my audience.” And that’s exactly what we’ll be exploring in this post. Buckle up, and let’s dive into the world of creative digital marketing!
What is Digital Marketing?
So, imagine you’re at a party, and you see someone wearing a fancy watch. You ask them, “Hey, where did you get that?” And they say, “Oh, I saw a content creator wearing it, and I decided to get one for myself as well.” That’s digital marketing in a nutshell! It’s like a big party where businesses and customers connect online.
But seriously, digital marketing began in the 1990s with the creation of the Archie search engine. It was like a big library where people could find information online. And then came email marketing, which allowed businesses to send messages directly to customers, which was like a faster way of sending a letter.
Since then, digital marketing has exploded. Today, it’s like a big game of chess. Businesses need to think strategically about how to reach their customers online. And that’s where you come in – as a creative in digital marketing, you can help businesses navigate this complex game.
Why is Digital Marketing Important?
So, why is digital marketing important? Well, let me tell you, it’s because the internet is like a big ocean – and businesses need to learn how to swim in it!
In other words, digital marketing is important because it allows businesses to reach customers where they are – online. And with minimal upfront costs, it’s a cost-effective way to market your business.
As a freelancer for digital marketing, you can help businesses navigate this ocean and find their target audience. And that’s a pretty cool superpower to have.
Related: A Creative’s Guide to High-paying Jobs as a Digital Marketer
Types Of Digital Marketing
Affiliate Marketing
So first question, do you want to make money while you sleep? (No, this isn’t a scam!) Affiliate marketing is the real deal. As a freelancer for digital marketing, you can help businesses find affiliate marketers who can promote their products or services.
In Africa, affiliate marketing is becoming increasingly popular. Many businesses are using influencers to promote their products or services. For example, a popular influencer in Nigeria might promote a new fashion brand, and their followers would buy the products, earning the influencer a commission.
So, what’s the catch? There isn’t one! Affiliate marketing is a win-win situation for both businesses and affiliate marketers. Businesses get to promote their products or services to a wider audience, while affiliate marketers earn a commission for promoting products they believe in.
Content Marketing
Content marketing is like the ultimate organic superpower. It can help businesses attract and retain customers, drive sales, and even build brand awareness. But, let’s get real – creating great content isn’t easy.
As a freelancer for digital marketing, you can help businesses create a content marketing strategy that works for them. You can help them develop a content calendar, create engaging content, and distribute that content across different channels.
So, what makes great content? Well, it’s not just about writing a few words and hitting publish. Great content is informative, entertaining, and engaging. It’s like a conversation with an old friend – you feel like you’re learning something new, but you’re also having fun.
Email Marketing
Email marketing is one of the most direct ways to reach customers and drive sales. But, the challenge is most people’s inboxes are flooded with emails. So, how do you make your email stand out?
As a creative freelancer for digital marketing, you can help businesses create an email marketing strategy that works for them. You can help them develop an email list, create engaging email content, and automate their email marketing campaigns.
So, what’s the secret to creating amazing email campaigns? Well, it’s not just about sending a bunch of emails and hoping for the best. It’s about creating personalized, targeted campaigns that speak directly to your customers.
Marketing Analytics
Marketing analytics is like being a detective – you’ve got to track down clues, analyze the evidence, and crack the case. But, instead of solving murders, you’re solving the mystery of the missing sales.
So, as a marketing analyst you can help businesses create a marketing analytics report that helps them understand their customers better. You can help them set up analytics tools, track their data, and make data-driven decisions.
The benefit of marketing isn’t just about looking at numbers and charts. It’s about using data to drive real results – to increase sales, boost engagement, and build brand awareness.
Related: 3 Ways to Set Boundaries With Clients as a Digital Marketer
Mobile Marketing
Mobile marketing is a super effective way to reach customers when they’re on-the-move. But let’s get real, our phones are basically bombarded with messages and notifications 24/7. So, as a freelancer for digital marketing, your job is to help businesses create a mobile marketing strategy that works for them.
You can help them develop a mobile marketing campaign, create engaging mobile content, and automate their mobile marketing campaigns. Therefore, the job of a mobile marketer is to create personalized, targeted campaigns that speak directly to their customers.
Pay-per-click (PPC)
Imagine you’re a boutique owner in the fashion capital of Milan, Italy. You’ve got a stunning collection of handmade shoes, but you’re struggling to get foot traffic into your store. That’s where PPC advertising comes in – it’s like placing a billboard in the heart of the city, directing potential customers right to your doorstep.
But, just like renting a billboard in Milan can be pricey, PPC advertising can be expensive too. So, how do you make the most of your budget? Let’s say you’re a freelancer for digital marketing, working with a client who owns a boutique hotel in Paris. You help them develop a PPC campaign that targets travelers searching for luxury accommodations in the City of Light. You bid on keywords like “5-star hotels in Paris” and optimize their ad campaigns to ensure they’re reaching the right people.
The result? A significant increase in bookings and revenue for the hotel. That’s the power of PPC advertising – it’s not just about driving traffic to your website, but generating real leads and sales. And with the right strategy, you can see a tangible return on your investment, just like the boutique hotel in Paris.
Search Engine Optimization (SEO)
SEO is like a game of hide-and-seek – you’ve got to find the right keywords, optimize your website, and hope that Google finds you. But, instead of hiding behind a couch, you’re hiding behind a website.
As a freelancer for digital marketing, you can help businesses create an SEO strategy that works for them. You can help them develop a keyword strategy, optimize their website, and build high-quality backlinks.
So, what’s the benefit of SEO? Well, it’s not just about showing up on the first page of Google (although that’s pretty cool too). It’s about driving real traffic to your website, generating leads, and building brand awareness.
As a freelancer for digital marketing, you can help businesses succeed in the digital world. Whether it’s through affiliate marketing, content marketing, email marketing, or any other digital marketing strategy, you can help businesses reach their goals and drive real results.
Sample Strategies for Success in Digital Marketing
Spotify’s “Wrapped” Campaign
What’s the best way to get people to love your brand? Well, Spotify found a way. Their “Wrapped” campaign is a genius example of content marketing. Every year, Spotify creates a personalized playlist for each user, showing them their top songs, artists, and genres. It’s like a musical diary!
So, why does this work? For starters, it’s incredibly engaging. Who doesn’t love looking back at their favorite songs from the year? It’s also super shareable – users can post their Wrapped playlists on social media, spreading the Spotify love. And, of course, it’s personalized, making each user feel special.
As a creative freelancer for digital marketing, you can help businesses create their own Spotify-esque content marketing campaigns. How? By understanding what makes their audience tick, and creating content that resonates with them. It’s not just about creating pretty pictures or catchy tunes – it’s about crafting a story that speaks to people’s hearts.
Apple’s “Shot on iPhone” Campaign
If you want to take a shot at creating a viral social media campaign, then you should look at Apple’s “Shot on iPhone” campaign. The idea was simple: encourage users to share their best iPhone photos on social media, using a branded hashtag. And, boy, did it work!
So, what made this campaign so successful? For starters, it was incredibly engaging. People love taking photos, and sharing them with the world. It was also super easy to participate – just snap a photo, add the hashtag, and voilà! You’re part of the campaign. Therefore, creating a viral social media campaign is about creating an activity that speaks to people’s hearts.
Email Marketing Campaign by “Who Gives A Crap“
Imagine opening your inbox to find an email with the subject line “We’re Number One…for wiping!” from Who Gives A Crap, the toilet paper company with a sense of humor. As you scroll through the email, you’re greeted with a personalized message addressing you by name, referencing your previous purchase of their recycled toilet paper.
The email is full of fun facts about sustainability, like how their products help reduce carbon emissions. And, of course, there’s a well-timed toilet joke to keep you chuckling. But what really catches your attention is the clear call-to-action, encouraging you to try their new line of bamboo toilet paper.
As you read through the email, you can’t help but feel like Who Gives A Crap really gets you. They’re speaking your language, sharing your values, and making you laugh. That’s the power of effective email marketing. And as a freelancer for digital marketing, you can help businesses like Who Gives A Crap create their own email campaigns that drive sales, boost engagement, and build lasting relationships with their customers.
Related: 3 Mistakes You Need to Avoid, in the Digital Marketing Business
Money Saving Expert’s Affiliate Marketing Campaign
Money Saving Expert, a UK-based consumer website, are a great example for affiliate marketing campaigns. The company partners with brands to promote their products, and earns a commission for each sale made through their unique referral link.
So, what makes their affiliate marketing campaigns so effective? For starters, they’re super transparent. The company clearly discloses their affiliation with the brand, and explains how they earn their commission. It’s also super relevant – the company only promotes products that align with their values and mission.
Use of Search Ads by Converse
Converse, the sneaker brand, grabs people’s attention online with their search ads. Imagine you’re searching for new Chuck Taylor sneakers. Suddenly, an ad pops up that says, “New Chuck Taylor Colors Just Dropped!” You click, and you’re on Converse’s website, surrounded by the exact sneakers you want.
Converse uses specific keywords to reach people who are actually looking for sneakers. They create ads that speak directly to what you’re looking for. And, they track how well their ads are doing, so they can make adjustments and reach the right people.
As a digital marketing freelancer, you can help businesses create their own search ads that drive traffic and sales. You’ll understand what their audience is looking for, and create ads that speak directly to them.
SEO (Search Engine Optimization) Campaign by Venngage
Picture this: you’re frantically searching for a way to make your website look less like a dinosaur from the digital dark ages. That’s where Venngage, the infographic design masters, come in. Their SEO campaigns are like a shot of espresso for your website – they’ll get you noticed, and fast.
Venngage creates content is informative, engaging, and optimized to perfection. Take their blog posts, for example. They’re packed with juicy tidbits of information, eye-catching visuals, and keywords that make search engines swoon.
But here’s the thing: Venngage doesn’t just stop at blog posts. Oh no, they’re like the mad scientists of content creation. They experiment with infographics, videos, and all sorts of other formats to keep their audience on their toes.
As a freelancer for digital marketing, you can be just like Venngage – minus the mad scientist lab coat (although, let’s be real, that would be pretty cool). By creating high-quality, targeted content that speaks directly to your audience’s needs, you can turn your business into a thought leader in your industry, and boost your website’s credibility and trust.
Conclusion
And there you have it – a comprehensive guide to digital marketing, covering everything from affiliate marketing to SEO. Whether you’re a business owner looking to boost your online presence or a creative looking to offer your services to clients, this guide has got you covered.
As a creative in freelancing, you can offer your digital marketing services to clients on platforms like Cre8Space, and help businesses succeed in the digital world. With the right skills and knowledge, you can help businesses drive real results, generate leads, and build brand awareness.
So, what are you waiting for? Start your digital marketing journey today, and see the impact it can have on your business or career!
