Why DIY Digital Marketing is harder than you think 🤔
The idea of do-it-yourself (DIY) digital marketing can seem extremely appealing. With today’s economic state, everything seems to cost an arm and a leg, and the thought of having a large marketing budget can be overwhelming. In addition, there are countless online tools and tutorials at your fingertips, so it’s easy to believe that you can handle all your marketing needs on your own! However, the reality is that DIY digital marketing is often far more challenging than it appears. Here’s why:
1. Specialist Knowledge is Crucial ✅
Digital marketing isn’t just about posting consistently on social media or hitting “boost” on a popular post. Nor is it about what these new digital marketing “gurus” ramble on about 24/7. It’s something that requires a deep understanding of various platforms, strategies, and techniques. For example, running paid ads on platforms like Google Ads and Facebook Ads demands a solid grasp of targeting options, bidding strategies, and ad copywriting. Without this specialist knowledge, your campaigns can quickly become costly and ineffective. To be completely transparent, it’s been set up this way, and this is why profits for Google & Meta are in the billions.
2. Complexity of Paid Advertising 🤔
Paid advertising platforms are constantly evolving, with new features and updates being rolled out regularly. Staying up-to-date with these changes is a full-time job in itself, and professional digital marketers need to keep on top of this. Effective paid advertising also involves:
Keyword Research: Identifying the right keywords to target can make or break your campaign. This requires tools and techniques that go beyond a simple Google search.
Ad Copy and Creative: Crafting compelling ad copy and visuals that attract clicks while complying with platform policies.
Bid Management: Knowing how to adjust bids to optimise for clicks, conversions, or other desired actions.
Performance Analysis: Continuously monitoring and adjusting campaigns based on performance data to ensure the best ROI.
3. Custom Tracking Setups 🤖
Understanding your digital marketing performance is essential, and this is where custom tracking setups come into play. Tools like Google Analytics, Facebook Pixel, and custom UTM parameters are vital for tracking user behavior and campaign effectiveness. Setting these up correctly requires technical knowledge, experience and time:
Tag Management: Implementing and managing tags through tools like Google Tag Manager to track various actions on your website.
Event Tracking: Setting up specific events to understand user interactions, such as form submissions, button clicks, and downloads.
Attribution Modeling: Understanding which channels and campaigns are driving conversions and how to attribute credit accurately.
4. Data Analysis and Interpretation 📊
Having data is one thing, but interpreting it correctly is another. Effective digital marketing relies on data-driven decisions. This involves:
Identifying Key Metrics: Knowing which metrics matter most to your business goals.
Data Visualisation: Using tools like Google Looker Studio to create dashboards that provide insights at a glance.
A/B Testing: Running controlled experiments to understand what works best for your audience.
5. Advertising Platforms Favor Experienced Users 🤑
Advertising platforms like Google and Facebook are designed to be profitable for the platform owners. While they ultimately want advertisers to succeed so they continue to invest in ads, these platforms are tailored to those with experience. Inexperienced users are more likely to waste money due to:
Complex Interfaces: Navigating the intricate settings and options can be daunting without prior experience.
Lack of Strategy: Without a clear understanding of how to build and execute a strategy, ad spend can quickly be depleted with minimal return.
Trial and Error: Beginners often rely on trial and error, leading to inefficiencies and higher costs. I heard a quote at a seminar once: “If you think a professional digital marketer is expensive, try using an amateur.”
Experienced marketers know how to leverage these platforms to their advantage, optimising for performance and cost-efficiency. In contrast, those new to the field are at risk of flushing money down the drain.
6. Keeping Up with Trends and Best Practices 📈
The digital marketing landscape is ever-changing. New trends, algorithms, and best practices emerge regularly. Staying current requires continuous learning and adaptation. Professional marketers dedicate time to ongoing education through:
Webinars and Workshops: Attending industry events to learn from experts.
Certifications: Earning credentials from platforms like Google and Facebook.
Reading and Research: Keeping up with industry blogs, case studies, and white papers.
7. Balancing Strategy and Execution 🎯
Successful digital marketing requires both strategic planning and flawless execution. A solid strategy lays the foundation, but executing it effectively is where the real challenge lies. This includes:
Content Creation: Producing high-quality content that resonates with your audience.
Campaign Management: Coordinating multiple campaigns across different channels.
Time Management: Balancing marketing tasks with other business responsibilities.
Bonus: Beware of Digital Marketing Gurus ⚠️
The rise of digital marketing as a trend has led to the emergence of many so-called digital marketing "gurus" who start up agencies with little to no experience. These individuals often lack formal education or certifications in digital marketing and may not have the expertise required to manage effective campaigns. Most of the time, these individuals have been sucked into digital marketing thinking it’s a “get rich quick” scheme. Partnering with such inexperienced marketers can quickly lead to wasted budgets and poor results. It’s essential to choose a digital marketing partner with proven experience and credentials to ensure your investment yields positive returns.
Conclusion
While DIY digital marketing might seem like a cost-saving approach, it often ends up being more complicated, time-consuming and expensive than anticipated. The need for specialist knowledge in paid ads, custom tracking setups, data analysis, and staying current with industry trends makes it a demanding field. By partnering with a professional digital marketing agency like Apto Digital, you can leverage expertise and experience to achieve better results, allowing you to focus on what you do best—running your business.
For more insights and tips on digital marketing, follow Apto Digital on social media and stay tuned for our upcoming blog posts. If your business needs new & consistent customers, we may be a fit for your needs! Click the button below to get started.