6 Key Steps to a Successful International Digital Marketing Strategy

At the epitome of any e-commerce and export strategy exists an idea of digital marketing. This acts as one of the best tools to attract consumers overseas. International digital marketing helps in the process of brand growth. It’s characterized by passion, creativity, and consistency, thus allowing the propulsion of things in the right direction. For an international digital marketing strategy to be effective, there are a number of key steps that must be followed.

1. Define the Objectives

Defining the digital marketing objective is the initial aspect of the digital marketing strategy. This aspect is very critical since all the other aspects are subject to how clear the objectives of the strategy are defined. The defined objectives should be measurable, attainable, relevant, and timely.

For example, generating 25 new sales leads every month can be defined as a smart strategy for digital marketing. The way the objectives align with the overall business goals, as well as the key performance indicators, should also be a subject of consideration. Also, the investment form of return should be considered. This could be:

• Financial
• A greater market share
• An increased visit to the company’s website
• Greater brand awareness
• An improved conversion rate

After defining the objectives, the strategy should be summarized in order to indicate how digital marketing is to be used to achieve the goals of the organization, thus helping in giving a summary of the bigger picture.

2. Choose the Right Channel

This is the second most effective step in the strategy. Digital marketing has undergone an evolution where the number of approaches that can be employed is not limited. Such channels may include growth hacking paid channels and organic search, among others. Every digital marketing strategy requires an investment of human effort, capital and time. Every unplanned approach can lead to wastage of very critical resources. Various digital marketing channels can be used such as:

• PPC
• Social media
• Blogs
• Organic traffic
• Direct emails
• Display networks

However, to choose the right and most effective channel, you need to know your customers, list goals, identify your budget and analyze team skills.

3. Create Relevant Content

This step helps in ensuring that the concerns of the target audience are addressed across the buying journey. Content goes further beyond Facebook Ads, tweets, and blogs. There is a lot that is expected to do with these channels, thus one needs to be creative and updated on the latest methods of reaching the audience as well as technology. The strategy should always revolve around an advertising campaign that is effective and of high value and quality.

4. Plan Strategically but Flexibly

Every plan must have room for flexibility. For example, delegating tasks or even allowing for time fluctuation for unexpected events that may have an effect on your core workload and the business as a whole. In the process of working through the plan, the following questions should be asked:

• Where is the majority of the traffic flowing?
• Where is room for improvement?
• Which KPIs are truly relevant at this place?
• Which tool, in terms of functionality, keeps the work best organized?

5. Create a Library of Content

Various ideas should be incorporated into the content marketing strategy since diverse content serves different purposes. Evergreen content, for instance, refers to the type of content that can be created once and serve multiple channels and purposes. An example of developing content that can last through different users is:

• Using an old blog to develop a PDF e-book
• Turning an in-depth article to a white paper
• Developing simple explainer videos from slideshows

6. Visualize a Clear Direction

Evaluate what direction your content goes in accordance with overall engagement and traffic. For one to build an effective content marketing strategy, it’s critical to possess the knowledge of project management that involves the plan’s vision as well as the factors involved to make each step successful. Successful digital marketing strategies are never easy but continuous practice helps make them work. Focus on the human elements, the brand story, engagement and the buyer’s journey. Authentically involving a broad audience allows for the impression of the clients as well as the colleagues.