What are the 4 types of digital marketing, and what is the most recent edition?

digital marketing on laptop

Although digital marketing has typically been broken down into 4 types, this has changed throughout the years as new technologies and methods are developed. So, what are the 4 types and how many are there now?

1. Search Engine Marketing (SEM)

There are two types of search engine marketing: SEO and PPC. One of the most crucial aspects of digital marketing is SEO, which is short for search engine optimisation. This is the process of making sure your website and content are designed in a way that will make them appear higher on search engine results pages. This is important because it can help you attract more visitors to your site, and also improve your brand visibility and credibility. Several different strategies can be used to improve your SEO. Another type of SEM is Pay Per Click

2. Social Media Marketing (SMM)

Another important aspect of digital marketing is social media marketing or SMM. This is the process of using social media platforms to promote your brand, product, or service. It can help you reach a wider audience and generate more leads and sales.

There are many different social media platforms that you can use for your SMM campaigns, and it’s important to select the ones that are most relevant to your target audience. You should also consider using paid advertising on social media to reach a wider audience and improve your results.

3. Content Marketing

Content marketing is creating and distributing valuable, relevant, and engaging content to attract and retain an audience. It can help you build trust and credibility with your target audience and improve your SEO.

There are lots of different types of content that you can create, and it’s important to consider what type of content will be most effective for your target audience. You should also make sure that your content is updated regularly and that it’s optimised for search engines.

4. Email Marketing

Email marketing is the process of sending emails to prospects and customers to promote your brand, product, or service. It can help you build relationships with your target audience and generate more leads and sales.

Depending on your industry and niche there are lots of strategies that you can use for your email marketing campaigns, and it’s important to ensure that you’re using the right tactics, you can contact us for a no-obligation chat.

Although the 4-types are considered old-school digital marketing, they’re still fundamental. For a more modern approach, you should also include the following in your digital marketing plan.

5. Mobile Marketing

Mobile marketing is the process of marketing to and connecting with consumers through their mobile devices. Mobile devices are always with consumers and are quickly becoming the preferred method for accessing the internet.

Mobile marketing can be used for a variety of goals, including generating leads, building brand awareness, and creating loyalty. There are many different ways to use mobile marketing, and it’s important to select the tactics that are most relevant to your target audience and goals.

6. Data-Driven Marketing (marketing analytics)

Data-driven marketing is a term for using data to make marketing decisions. Data for this can come from websites, social media, and marketing campaigns. Data-driven marketing can improve your ROI, help you target your audience, and create more personalised messages. It’s crucial to use data-driven marketing that aligns with your goals and target audience.

7. Influencer Marketing

Influencer marketing is a way to promote your brand, product, or service by working with influential people. Influencers have a large audience and can help you reach more people. It’s important to work with influencers who are a good fit for your brand. When choosing an influencer to work with, there are a few things to consider. Having a strategy is key!

8. Affiliate Marketing

Affiliate marketing is partnering with a company to promote its products or services in exchange for a commission. When choosing affiliate marketing partners, it’s crucial to think about your target audience.
Affiliate and influencer marketing are sometimes used interchangeably, but there are key differences, especially concerning the typical sales funnel. Influencer marketing focuses on brand awareness while affiliate marketing is all about making sales.

9. Viral Marketing

Viral marketing is a type of marketing where a message or piece of content is shared across social media and other networks, and it spreads quickly. The goal of viral marketing is to get people to share your content and generate a large number of views.

“Going viral” can be intentional or accidental; if you are creating a campaign, then you can include other aspects of digital marketing to generate interest in your message, such as an influencer. If you have a great idea, then the force multiplier of viral marketing is much cheaper than traditional digital marketing. Going viral isn’t easy, and it isn’t a given; it also is hard to measure sales against it.

There are a few key ingredients that are often present in viral content. First, it is often highly shareable. This means that it is interesting, funny, or otherwise engaging. Second, it is often surprising or unexpected, which is why most viral media is accidental.

10. Online PR

Online PR is a digital marketing strategy that uses online channels to create awareness and interest in a company or product. This can be done through means such as blog posts, social media, and online media coverage.
When done correctly, online PR can effectively build brand awareness, drive traffic to a website, and improve search engine optimisation.

11. Programmatic Advertising (native etc)

Programmatic advertising automates the buying and placement of ads which makes ads more efficient to buy. It can be used for a variety of ad types, including display, video, and native advertising. Programmatic advertising is a great way to improve your advertising ROI.

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