Why is Digital Literacy important for Marketers?

We are living in the era of digitalization. Technological advances are transforming every spectrum of our lives. We interact with technology for every small task, whether we have to book a ticket or order a meal. Businesses are migrating from the physical sphere to the online landscape. Nowadays every little thing is there on the internet. Therefore, digital literacy is imperative for each of us. However, marketers should not only know about digital literacy but be an expert at it. 

Today, we are witnessing a new age of marketing. The mediums of marketing are constantly evolving; radio, print media, television and now the internet. Online platforms are experiencing unprecedented growth. Brands that refuse to join social media platforms or any other online forum die in the long run. It is believed that companies that are digitally literate survive better in the crisis. Hence, marketers need to keep up with the demand of the digital world.

But what is Digital Literacy? 

Digital Literacy is the ability to make use of technology for creating, communicating and evaluating information. It also means understanding the ways a technology works. This might sound to you trivial. For Instance, take an example of using Instagram. I am sure that you know how to post a story, reel or go live on Instagram. This means you are digitally literate. But, marketers must know the working of Instagram’s algorithm, how to schedule a post in advance. They must keep sharpening their knowledge and skills. The more literate a marketer, higher the chances of success. 

Why is Digital Literacy important for marketers? 

Digital literacy is significant for common people, but for marketers, it is the most important skill. It offers them a competitive edge. Being a digitally literate marketer, you should know the usage of technology as well as the complexities and intricacies with it. We all know how to use social media platforms whether it is Facebook, Instagram, or LinkedIn, But a digital marketer who is digitally literate knows which social media platform to target for a brand or at what is the best time to post on them. Thus, a marketer must first acquire digital literacy and hone it.

What is the responsibility of being Digitally literate?

We are living in the age of misinformation. Many times we hear false news of famous celebrities dying. Fake news spreads like wildfire on the internet. People post them online without confirming. The responsibility of a digitally literate person is not to spread misinformation. Check the facts, use your common sense, and then share with his friends or colleagues. A digital marketer must always attach credible sources in posts, give context and make sure he/she is delivering relevant information. This is how a digital marketer can mitigate the rollout of misinformation. 

A Digital Marketer needs to be a master of digital literacy. Therefore, he/she must acquire other advanced skills and learn the following skills.

1) SEARCH ENGINE OPTIMIZATION(SEO) AND SEARCH ENGINE MACHINE(SEM)

It helps to drive traffic to a website.

2) ANALYTICAL SKILLS

A marketer must have an analytical bent of mind. He/she must draw insights from data and make strategies. 

3) PAID ADVERTISING

Today various platforms offer the service of advertising. Digital marketers need to make use of them efficiently. This helps in landing potential clients.

4) EMAIL MARKETING

This is a powerful marketing skill. It converts leads, engages them, and builds the loyalty of clients. 89% of marketers use email marketing to send useful content, updates, and exclusive deals to their leads. 

5) USE AUTOMATION TOOLS

This helps to speed up the work. Marketers can work efficiently with automation tools. They can send personalized content to clients, schedule posts in advance, monitor content, draw insights from the data available, etc.

There are many more skills available. As a Digital marketer, you should never stop learning. You need to evolve with new technologies and navigate effortlessly through the digital landscape. 

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Written by - Arunima Sharma and Rishi Singh