Member Article

Don’t underestimate the power of digital marketing, says expert

Businesses cannot ignore the power of digital marketing when it come to reaching new customers and growing their company, according to one of the UK’s leading experts on the subject.

Shaa Wasmund, who was recently named as Management Today’s Most Successful Woman under 35 was at the Sage in Gateshead to share her wisdom with businesses in the region looking to boost their presence online.

“The future is digital – full stop,” said Shaa, speaking to Bdaily at the ‘Marketing: the art of’ conference. “ But for many businesses it can seem like a black art – something people know they need to do but aren’t really quite sure how to do it.

“Equally I know that some people are probably using digital media already and doing a great job at one aspect, but I want people to a do a great job when using all of it.

She is not encouraging more people to embrace the importance of social media, and overcome the fear of the unknown – especially in uncertain economic times.

“I do think there are some people who can over complicate things, but what I want to do is really get down to the basics and really start to help them, and make them realise its not that difficult,” Shaa continued.

“In such a difficult climate, people really need to be grabbing every opportunity to get their name out there, but also need to be doing it in the most cost effective way possible – and that is the beauty of digital marketing.

“Digital marketing is the easiest are of marketing to track, to see results, to see what’s working and to see what’s not working and I think that is crucial in 2011 and beyond because every penny counts.”

The event, which was hosted by Business and Enterprise Group, is now in its fourth year, and incorporates a range of breakfast seminars, workshops and one to one sessions, aimed at business people looking to improve their knowledge of e-marketing.

Alastair MacColl, chief executive of Business and Enterprise Group was also in attendance and was keen to stress the value of online marketing for businesses in the North East.

“It has never been more important that businesses understand their customers in a really forensic way, understand the market and understand how to use a range of new and innovative methods of marketing themselves,” he said.

“While we know it’s not always easy, what we can try to do is give businesses that competitive edge by allowing the best chance to access information which could ultimately improve their business.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Ruth Mitchell .