By Judith Lee,

From the retailing front line to the corporate board, the push is on for every business to be reborn as a “digital company.” What exactly that means is not the same for every business, nor should it be. Thus, if you are developing a digital strategy, the first thing you need is a way to gauge whether that strategy is smart: whether it puts today’s technology to work in an appropriately advanced way, while being a good fit for your overall strategy and your way of doing business. In short, you need to check your Digital IQ – and if necessary, to raise it.

First, A Question: What is Digital Marketing?

Digital marketing is an umbrella term for the targeted, measurable, and interactive marketing of products or services using digital technologies to reach and convert leads into customers and retain them. Digital marketing raises the online visibility of your business.

Digital marketing activities include search engine optimization (SEO), website content, blogging, social media marketing, e-mail direct marketing, online advertising, e-books,  and any other form of digital media. It also extends to non-Internet channels that provide digital media, such as mobile phones (SMS and MMS).

And now, A Quiz:

The business owner/CEO is committed to digital marketing.

            Yes   No   Maybe

We are active in at least 4 digital platforms (i.e., SEO, web content, social media, blogging, online reviews, ecommerce, email, mobile).

            Yes   No   Maybe

We have a digital marketing strategy.

            Yes   No   Maybe

We have a person(s) responsible for implementing our digital strategy.

            Yes   No   Maybe

We measure digital marketing outcomes.

             Yes   No   Maybe

We “retune and retool” our digital strategy as the market and technology change.

             Yes   No   Maybe

Scoring:

3 for Yes

1 for Maybe

0 for No

16 or higher: Doing great!

12-15: Good but could be better

Less than 12: Better enhance your digital marketing now!

_______

Judith Lee is a marketing and communications professional who focuses on social media and email marketing based in Atglen. She is a SCORE Volunteer and the Chair-Elect of the Southern Chester County Chamber of Commerce. Her posts on marketing and social media are a regular Monday morning feature on VISTA Today. She can be reached at 610-368-2058 or via email at judithlee@epix.net.