8 Things You Need to Win at Digital Marketing

Now is a great time to launch a digital marketing program. Whether you're a startup, or a mature company that has previously relied on PR and in-person events to generate sales, it should be very clear that digital has to be part of your marketing mix.

1. Digital Marketing Mindset

Adopt a growth marketing mindset focused on continuous testing, measurement, and learning. Data-driven decision-making replaces subjective creative debates.

2. Known Unit Economics

Digital marketing's advantage includes calculating ROAS precisely. Many companies struggle because they lack clear unit economics understanding. Know whether acquiring a customer at $20, $40, or another price point is profitable.

3. Marketing-Owned Website with CMS

You need a marketing-controlled website connected to a CMS and Google Analytics. If engineering owns your site or it's a legacy system requiring developer updates, scaling becomes difficult.

4. Dominion Over SEO

SEO strategy must align with paid media efforts. Understanding messaging, target audiences, and keyword optimization across both organic and paid channels creates synergy.

5. Data Analyst

Don't spend on paid media without measurement capability. Data analysts are central to growth marketing success and program credibility.

6. Hands-On Strategist

For $1 million in media spend, hiring a full-time experienced strategist makes sense. For smaller budgets, a part-time consultant providing strategy and execution guidance is more efficient.

7. Design Resource

You likely don't need a dedicated designer initially, but need design support. Many tools enable non-designers to create ads using templates, stock images, and DIY graphics.

8. Ideas

Continuous testing requires steady idea generation. Recruit product people, designers, and creative thinkers to contribute. Even winning ads should face testing against alternatives.