In The Digital Gangsta, we talk a lot about taglines and titles. What is it that we do exactly? Whether you are an entrepreneur looking for virtual help, or the one providing the help…the industry is still so new that our language hasn’t caught up yet. Think about alllll the ways people describe needing help….
- Virtual Assistant
- Web Designer
- Online Marketing Strategist
- Internet Marketing Consultant
- Digital Marketing Developer
- Freelance ____________ (writer, designer, artist, etc.)
- Business coach
- Online Business Manager
- Tech Virtual Assistant
- Social Media Strategist
- Content Manager
- Launch Strategist
- Project Manager
A few months back, we even wrote a post on some of the most confused acronyms of them all – OBM vs. VA vs. PM.
But aside from semantics and language, let’s unpack what is actually happening.
The Internet was invented, launched, whatever — in 1983 ish to 1990. That’s when the World Wide Web showed up, and I remember as a kid, when commercials started showing this weird…
www.companyname.com at the bottom of their ads!
What was this wizardry?
As the Internet exploded, an entire NEW way of advertising business, hell…DOING business, emerged. And not 15 years later, Facebook showed up on the scene, ushering in the dawn of social media, which would forever change the entire planet.
Big stuff.
As is the way with the “new trends” – people were slow to catch on. It took a while for the online and social media advertising space to gain credibility with local business owners, who spent their whole careers using traditional advertising methods. But we got there.
Now, it’s hard to find a business owner who doesn’t at least THINK about how to have an online presence…via a website/Facebook page, etc. Many of them are online, some of them are still trying to figure it out…but…here’s the key…
The majority are still doing it poorly {cue opportunity music}
Hold that thought for a second…
Along a parallel universe, and outside the traditional businesses adjusting to the new way, there were new businesses popping up everywhere…EXCLUSIVELY online.
These trendsetters found a way to create a business outta nowhere…with no physical location or product. All online. And…since overhead was low, these people grew wealthy…really fast {aka the dotcom boom}.
So…we can break up the population into two types…
- The traditional businessman/woman coming online with their company.
- The online business owners who are exclusively online.
Digital Marketing, Online Marketing, or Internet Marketing… all really explain the same thing….
How to market and advertise a business on the Internet.
And if we use the traditional terms, and match them with the new terms, you can see more clearly, what digital marketing actually encompasses….
- Design (like a website)
- Writing (like a blog)
- Sales (like a funnel)
- Advertising (like FB & Google ads)
- Word of mouth (social media)
Online businesses will talk in the terms in parentheses.
Hey, I need a funnel. I need someone to engage my Instagram following. I need webinar assistance.
Traditional businesses more than likely, will talk in more traditional terms…EVEN THOUGH they need the same things.
Hey, we need a web designer. Hey, we need a writer. Hey, we need to increase sales.
That was a fun history lesson right? Whatever does it mean for today, for me, right now?
This is what it means…if you are a virtual assistant, you can’t afford NOT to learn digital marketing. It is your ticket to higher rates and more work, period.
In The Digital Gangsta, we talk about tracks a lot. And most people who start out offering administrative services, slowly branch out into digital marketing services, because the need is so great.
If you are a business owner, you need digital marketing services. The Internet is digital real estate and your piece of property needs to accurately reflect your brand and reputation.
If you are an online business owner, well…you already know and utilize digital marketing services. So I’ve got nothin’ for you this morning, except…to make sure you’re hiring the right help {hint hint, a CYLL member is a great choice}!
Digital Marketing may still be a small sub-section of marketing college degree programs, but it’s a HUGE industry with no signs of slowing down. The mediums will change {Twitter yesterday, Instagram today}, but the Internet is not going anywhere.
Virtual work is more and more possible. It’s less expensive for business owners. It’s less expensive for the worker {no commute, no fancy corporate clothes, lunches out, etc.}.
Today, you are either someone pursuing a career providing Digital Marketing services, or you’re a business owner who desperately needs to hire a Digital Marketer…or learn Digital Marketing yourself so you can up your game.
It’s really that simple.
And we help both.
Because we’re EXPERTS at Digital Marketing services. All of them.
Advertising, Sales Funnels, Writing, Design, Social media.
The CYLL Network is growing fast, and with it…more and more digital marketing training. For virtual assistants who want to grow their skills. For people who want an entire new career!!! For bookkeepers and photographers and artists who want to learn how to market themselves online to get more clients. For business owners who can’t afford to hire a new in-house team and want to learn the principles themselves. It doesn’t really matter where you fall, you can’t afford NOT to learn digital marketing in 2017.
Start now by checking out this free workshop about becoming a kick butt digital marketer.
Zaakirah Nayyar says
I love this! As a social media manager, this is everything that I say to my current clients and prospective clients. Even though I previously use the term social media manager, I have literally been all kinds of strategists. You’re right! The correct terminology or title is still coming into fruition. Great post! zaakirahnayyar.com
Petra says
I love this Julie. You explained it so well. 🙂