What Works, What Doesn’t: Debunking Digital Marketing Myths

Digital marketing is a seemingly an ever-changing landscape, and rightly so- with the ability to share information, opinions, facts, stories, more opinions and any other mediocre day-to-day information you prefer, it is increasingly hard to figure out what information will actually help your business’ marketing and which will waste your time, manpower, and, most importantly, money. Solar Velocity has compiled five of the most need-to-be-avoided myths regarding internet marketing, social media and mobile marketing. As an award-winning digital marketing agency, SV has helped clients avoid these mistakes and create and maintain cutting-edge marketing campaigns.

1. Print Advertising is dead. - Most often it is recommended that there be a shift in budgetary allocation to solely web-based campaigns. But what seems to be missing is the question of: what is this campaign seeking to do? What’s applicable and achievable, and what marketing approach works best for our demographic?

2. Social media is for young demographics. – This is a huge misconception that many people have the misfortune of believing. Social media is for reconnecting, sharing, information seeking, recommendations; the list goes on and on. What doesn’t make it to that list is that it’s only for young people. Actually, over 50% of people who use Facebook are over the age of 35 and the top users of social media (not just FB) are between the ages of 35 and 54 (36%). Remember, these age groups generally have steady incomes and no pesky parents to limit their social media use!

3. Impression numbers are what really count. Impression numbers, while important, are a small portion of reaching an audience. Existing on the web has evolved from basic search engine rankings and PPC’s to active branding, interactive applications and engaging conversational approaches. Digital marketing is about creating an experience and campaigns that are centered on impression numbers only will find it difficult to get ahead in a brand-saturated marketplace. 

4. Social media platforms are all basically the same. – Putting stock into one idea of what social media is and what it does is a taking a huge risk with a brand.  Social media is a multifaceted, multilingual, user-experience-variety that simultaneously exists for one purpose and stands as a customizable marketing approach; a very unique qualification.  The key is the variety of possibilities… Facebook is great for conversation and relationship building via Likes and a fan page, and Twitter doubles as an information sharing, conversation building in short, easy-to-read postings. Know what you want, what each platform does and keep your audience involved!

5. The designer, developer and you know best. – This is where smart marketers know best. The team creates the experience for the target audience and your consumer.  You know what you want to do, but at the end of the day, it’s the consumer who decides what brand to pick, what company to recommend and who to pledge their (consumer) loyalty to. The bottom line is branding and marketing have become more than information and have shifted into an experience that shapes and drives action all based on your target audience and what they want.  After all, brands are consumer driven.

About Solar Velocity

Solar Velocity is an award winning, interactive marketing agency that provides innovative and creative results-orientated solutions that maximize profits for clients. Based in Atlanta, Georgia, Solar Velocity designs and develops wide-ranging marketing and technology solutions for clients, from creative web designs and complex web development to developing marketing strategies and branding, services are designed to achieve optimal brand awareness, along with increased sales, profitability, and high client satisfaction.