Digital Marketing Demystified: What Marketers Actually Do All Day
If you’ve ever wondered what digital marketers actually do on a daily basis, this blog is for you. From the outside, it can look like we just make social media posts or write blog posts—but the reality is that digital marketing involves a lot more strategy, research, and adaptability than most people realize. I recently spoke to a group of business owners about this exact topic, and this blog is a breakdown of that presentation. I hope that by the time you finish reading, you have a better understanding of what digital marketing is and what to expect if you decide to hire a marketer or dive into digital marketing yourself.
Digital Marketing Defined
Digital marketing is an umbrella term that encompasses everything from content creation and search engine optimization (SEO) to email campaigns, affiliate marketing (also known as sharing affiliate links), and social media advertising campaigns. It’s how brands—whether large corporations/organizations, small businesses or individuals—connect with potential customers online. With people constantly online, having a digital footprint is a requirement for appearing credible and legitimate. So, if you need to have a presence, you might as well ensure it leaves the right first impression when people look you up.
For a business owner, digital media offers a more cost-efficient and measurable way to grow compared to traditional marketing methods or traditional advertising ( billboards, print ads or TV commercials).
For content creators, it’s a great way to showcase creative skills and experiment with different formats.
For professionals, social media and effective content marketing, such as blogging, can quickly amplify personal brands and establish them as experts in their field.
Now that you know what digital marketing is, let’s take a closer look at what digital marketing specialists do on a daily basis, why it matters, and how these efforts contribute to building brand awareness and supporting specific business goals.
The Daily Tasks of Digital Marketers
Marketing is such a fast-paced profession that, to be honest, there aren't set daily tasks or schedules we stick to. No two days look the same, but here are the key responsibilities most digital marketing jobs include:
Market research: Understanding consumer behavior, market trends, and audience segments provides a solid foundation for any campaign. Research helps us understand which stories will resonate, which keywords to target, and which digital platforms are the most effective way to connect with our target audience.
Strategic planning: Digital marketers translate market research insights into comprehensive digital marketing strategies. Whether the goal is lead generation, boosting website traffic, or growing an email list, strategy ties business objectives to the tactics that get results.
Content creation: This is the visible part of the job—designing social media posts, writing blog posts, filming short-form video, or creating compelling messaging for websites and campaigns. Effective content marketing means creating high-quality content that balances creativity with best practices so it reaches potential customers and actually drives results.
Campaign management: From launching social media marketing ads to tracking Google AdWords performance, digital marketing specialists run campaigns across digital media. This includes social networks, email marketing, and social media platforms—all while ensuring the brand’s messages align with specific business goals.
Data analysis: After campaigns go live, marketers study key performance indicators (KPIs) and performance metrics. This isn’t just about numbers; it’s about understanding user behavior, testing new ideas, and making adjustments to improve campaign performance and overall campaign effectiveness.
Adaptability: Algorithm changes, shifts in human behavior, and evolving digital technologies mean digital marketers must stay on their toes. There’s always a need to learn, pivot, and experiment with new ideas.
Beyond the Basics: Why It Matters
Digital marketing isn’t just about driving traffic to a website or increasing social media presence. And it definitely isn't about making sales or boosting revenue. Ideally, with great marketing, those things inevitably happen. However, our primary goal is to establish trust in the brand and ensure that people have a positive relationship with it.
We do this by building lasting connections with people through valuable and relevant content that solves real problems. We want to ensure that your marketing resonates with your audience and makes them feel heard and seen. If you only sell or talk about yourself, it can quickly turn people off and impact the level of trust your audience has in your brand. However, when you're starting conversations, offering clear guidance, teaching your audience something new, or simply entertaining them, they are more likely to stick around, engage, and ideally hire you.
Essentially, you're marketing to them without it feeling like marketing. Case studies show again and again that when businesses use digital platforms strategically, they generate leads, improve user experience, and see measurable improvements in conversion rates. So as fun as marketing can be, it's not frivolous or pointless. It's what brings your brand to life!
Staying Grounded in a Fast-Paced Industry
The fast-paced world of digital marketing can be overwhelming. I always hear from clients how challenging marketing can be, and a lot of that has to do with the constant changes. Marketers juggle dozens of digital technologies and platforms, switching between strategic planning, campaign management, and creative work. It’s no wonder creative burnout and context switching are common challenges. It's so important to narrow your focus on what will bring you closest to your goals and ensure you can consistently maintain whatever marketing efforts you embark on. Focus and consistency are what will help you establish balance, so you don't get burned out. I always remind anyone who touches marketing to:
Take regular breaks and step away from screens.
Stay grounded in human behavior by asking good questions—not just chasing algorithm changes and doomscrolling.
Networking and building relationships offline, not only on social networks. Real-life interactions can inform and fuel your marketing, making your messages and images way more authentic.
At the end of the day, marketing isn’t about quick fixes. It’s about connecting with potential customers in meaningful ways, crafting brand messages that resonate, and ensuring those messages reach the right audience segment in the right place at the right time.
The Takeaway
Marketing is everywhere, which in a way makes us all marketers. Whether you’re a business owner looking to grow your email list, a blogger looking to increase website traffic, or a nonprofit looking to boost brand awareness, working on your digital marketing skills can be the best way to achieve your goals. When comprehensive digital marketing strategies are in place, you don’t just gain visibility—you connect with people in ways that matter.
Just know that all of this takes time. It's not magic, and most of it can't be done in one day. Anyone who tells you it can is lying to you. So trust the process, ask the right questions, and be open to stepping outside of your comfort zone to experiment with approaches that will excite your audience. After all, you're here to serve them, and digital marketing is how you do it.
If you need a digital marketer you can trust and rely on, I'm your girl!
Learn more about my marketing services here.
