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a beginner’s guide to digital marketing

Diving into digital marketing can feel like a big risk, Socials and Emails and Ads, Oh My! But here’s the thing: you don’t need a big budget to make it work. At holistic marketing, we’ve helped businesses find their online groove; trust me, you can too. It’s about starting small, staying real, and learning as you go.

Below are five easy steps to get you started. Our blog posts dig deeper - honest practical stuff we’ve tested ourselves.

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five easy steps to start digital marketing yourself

1. figure out who you're talking to

You can’t market to everyone. Really, you can’t. Start by picturing your ideal customer. What do they care about? Where do they hang out online? Don’t spend hours guessing, speak to your audience or use a quick survey. Nail this, and everything else gets easier.

2. pick your platforms (and don't over-do it)

Not every channel is for you. Instagram’s great for visuals, but if your audience loves long reads, maybe a blog’s better. Start with one or two platforms.

3. create content that feels real

Content’s king, right? Well, sort of. It doesn’t have to be perfect, just authentic. Share tips, stories, or even a behind-the-scenes moment. People connect with real stuff. We’ve seen a simple “day in the life” post outperform a polished ad. Weird, but true.

4. test ads on a budget

Ads can sound scary, but you don’t need thousands to start. Try a small Facebook or Google ad to see what clicks. Track what works—maybe obsess over it a little, like we do. Adjust, repeat, and keep it simple.

5. track and tweak

Use free tools like Google Analytics to see what’s working. Numbers don’t lie, even if they’re not always fun to look at. Check your progress monthly. It’s less about being a data nerd and more about not wasting time on what flops.

five easy steps to start digital marketing yourself

1. figure out who you're talking to

You can’t market to everyone. Really, you can’t. Start by picturing your ideal customer. What do they care about? Where do they hang out online? Don’t spend hours guessing, speak to your audience or use a quick survey. Nail this, and everything else gets easier.

2. pick your platforms (and don't over-do it)

Not every channel is for you. Instagram’s great for visuals, but if your audience loves long reads, maybe a blog’s better. Start with one or two platforms.

3. create content that feels real

Content’s king, right? Well, sort of. It doesn’t have to be perfect, just authentic. Share tips, stories, or even a behind-the-scenes moment. People connect with real stuff. We’ve seen a simple “day in the life” post outperform a polished ad. Weird, but true.

4. test ads on a budget

Ads can sound scary, but you don’t need thousands to start. Try a small Facebook or Google ad to see what clicks. Track what works—maybe obsess over it a little, like we do. Adjust, repeat, and keep it simple.

5. track and tweak

Use free tools like Google Analytics to see what’s working. Numbers don’t lie, even if they’re not always fun to look at. Check your progress monthly. It’s less about being a data nerd and more about not wasting time on what flops.