If you’re engaged in the world of marketing, particularly online marketing, you’re surely familiar with the terms digital marketing and social media marketing. It’s common for people who aren’t much in the know to use these terms interchangeably. But the truth is, they’re quite different from each other.
While they are both forms of marketing, they have distinct goals, strategies and tactics. In this article, we will explore the key differences between digital marketing and social media marketing, so that you can better understand how to use these tools to reach your target audience. As an initial piece of advice, it’s best to hire marketing award-winners who are experts in both fields.
Definition
First, let’s define the two terms. Digital marketing is a broad term that encompasses all forms of online marketing, including search engine optimisation (SEO), pay-per-click (PPC) advertising, content marketing, email marketing and more. Social media marketing, on the other hand, refers specifically to the use of social media platforms, such as Facebook, Twitter and Instagram, to promote a product or service.
Audience
One of the biggest differences between digital marketing and social media marketing is the audience. Digital marketing is more general and aims to reach a wider audience, whereas social media marketing is more targeted and focuses on specific groups of people. For example, a digital marketing campaign might use SEO to increase visibility on search engines, whereas a social media marketing campaign might use Facebook ads to target a specific demographic.
Content
Another key difference is the type of content. Digital marketing campaigns typically focus on informative content, such as blog posts or white papers, that educate the audience about a particular topic or product. Social media marketing campaigns, on the other hand, tend to focus on visual content, such as images and videos, that are designed to be shared and seen by as many people as possible.
Metrics
In terms of the metrics used to measure success, digital marketing campaigns often focus on website traffic, lead generation and conversion rates, while social media marketing campaigns focus on engagement, reach and click-through rates.
Timeframe
Digital marketing campaigns also tend to be more long-term, with a focus on building relationships and trust with the audience over time. Social media marketing campaigns are often more short-term, with a focus on quickly gaining visibility and driving sales.
Cost
One of the most important considerations for both digital and social media marketing is the cost. Digital marketing can be expensive and requires a significant investment in tools and resources, whereas social media marketing is relatively inexpensive and can be done with minimal investment.
Should you use digital marketing or social media marketing?
Whether you should use digital marketing or social media marketing depends on your specific business goals and target audience. Both forms of marketing have their own unique strengths and can be effective in different situations. But to make the most out of your online campaigns, a good mix of both is ideal. Just be sure to partner with marketing award-winners to increase your chances of success.
