When was the last time you were reading the newspaper, saw a full-page ad, and went and bought whatever was being offered? 

The reality is, this never happens anymore. With the rise of social media, e-commerce, and dropshipping, profiting from the internet has never been easier. Consumers have shifted their full attention to buying online. Business owners take note.

First, solve the problem. Then write the code.

If your business is anything more than a hobby, you desperately need to shift your focus to online marketing. Without doing so, you will quickly fall behind and be forgotten.

“But where do I start?”, you may ask. When we take a look at the depth, technicality, and needed strategies to be successful in online marketing, the task can feel daunting. In companies, we’re seeing a new type of executive emerging: the Chief Marketing Technologist (CMT). The position was developed due to the need of many to take their business online without the headache. 

Laura McLellan of the Harvard Business Review says that “digital marketing budgets are expanding annually at double-digit rates, and CEOs say that digital marketing is now the most important technology-powered investment their firms can make.” Not to mention there are well over 1,000 marketing software providers worldwide. You can see why there is a need for a CMT in companies.

To add to their overwhelm that comes with online marketing, the technology behind it is constantly shifting. Shifting, not transforming. The groundwork for digital marketing has already been laid but consumers (and marketers) will always shift from one platform to the next. Here lies the never ending chase as new social platforms rise and fall and marketing software comes and goes.

A CMT has the responsibility to deliver the marketing strategy effectively while also managing the software and technology behind deploying each campaign. 

Traditionally, marketers didn’t have to worry about much of the technical skills. Running an ad on the radio didn’t take much technical work, the radio station took care of that. The marketers just came up with the campaign and the offer. In the twenty first century, to be an effective marketer we can’t blindly put together strategies without fully understanding how the systems and software behind will work together.

Don’t you think it’s time you look into a CMT for your own business?

Now, if you’re like most, you probably don’t have direct access to a CMT executive. Luckily, there are dozens of sub industries being created by entrepreneurs in the space to help businesses adapt to the new world of marketing. These digital entrepreneurs are like you in many ways, looking to provide value to their customers. So, if you’re looking for real business growth, I’d be happy to personally assist you or connect you with a competent colleague. 

Feel free to reach out. I’m happy to help.

Consumers have shifted their full attention to buying online. Business owners take note.

Devyn Grillo