Traditional vs Digital Marketing: What’s the Best Approach to Capturing Today’s Market?
Is traditional marketing dead?
Marketers have been predicting the demise of traditional marketing since the late 90s. But turn on your TV or listen to your car radio. Companies still pay for tv commercials and radio ads.
The same is true for print advertising. Newspapers and magazines haven’t gone the way of Betamax. Flyers, posters, brochures, and so on are still alive and kicking.
So why do some marketers insist that digital marketing is the only way to go? Let’s talk about the whole traditional vs digital marketing thing in detail. This way, you can choose which is better for your business.
Traditional Marketing Pros and Cons
One of the advantages of traditional marketing is how easy it is to understand. That comes from years and years of exposure.
Everyone has seen a commercial or a mailbox flyer. That includes millennials who can’t seem to figure out rotary phones.
For your marketing goals, it means two things. Using traditional modes of marketing means it’s a sure way to reach your local audience. It also offers tangibility.
There’s nothing like a good business card your customers can keep with them. It’s a good reminder of your brand – something they can look at and not mindlessly scroll through.
Of course, it’s not without disadvantages. The costs alone will make you think twice about print or radio advertisements. Print advertising costs can add up when you pay people to distribute your materials.
Another thing you have to worry about is tracking results. Did your flyers make the right impression? It’s not so transparent compared to the number of likes or website visits.
Digital Marketing vs Traditional Marketing
The great thing about digital marketing is it’s accessible. It doesn’t matter how big or little your marketing budget is. There’s a digital marketing strategy that will work for you.
With TV ads, for example, you’ll have to set aside a huge chunk of your budget. Otherwise, TV stations won’t air your ad. That’s not a problem for Google or Facebook ads.
You set your budget and get real-time results on how your campaigns are doing. If your ads aren’t doing well, pause or stop them. Come out with new ads and try again.
Also, nothing beats social media marketing for sharing your message as fast as you want it. It’s as quick as a click of a button. You can’t get the same results with brochures or billboards.
Online, it’s an even playing level field. All you need is a solid digital marketing strategy.
Traditional vs Digital Marketing: Who Wins?
The truth is no business can afford to not be online. You’ll be losing a huge chunk of potential customers if you don’t have a website. A strong social media presence is a must, too.
But if there are traditional means of marketing that work for your business, keep using them. Just make sure you don’t use up all your money for your traditional marketing materials.
Bottom line: don’t think of it as traditional vs digital marketing. If you want the most bang for your buck, think digital first. When you have more money to spend, experiment with traditional forms of advertising.
But don’t forget to track your results. If you need help with digital marketing, don’t hesitate to contact us.
