top Digital Marketers

Why Digital Marketers Are Your Sherpas for Business Growth

Hey everyone—the Intro team here. If you’ve been wondering how certain brands pop up everywhere—Instagram, Google, your email inbox—while others stay relatively invisible, you’re in the right place. Today, we’re diving into the world of digital marketers: who they are, what they do, and why they might just be your company’s secret weapon for growth. We’ll also look at what sets the top digital marketers apart, plus some practical tips on how to find the digital marketing experts who can help your business shine.

1. What is a Digital Marketer anyway?

Digital marketers specialize in leveraging online marketing channels—think social media, search engines, email campaigns, and more—to connect brands with the right audience. The general idea is to identify your target customers, figure out where they are spending their time online, and then authentically catch their attention. Done well, they’re the engineers behind viral campaigns, the strategists who position your product in front of ideal buyers/users, and the analysts who track everything from click-through rates to conversion funnels.

To dive a little deeper, here’s the kind of work they do:

• Market Research & Audience Segmentation: Identifying exactly who your customers are, where they hang out online, and what messaging resonates most with them.

• Content Strategy & Creation: Crafting compelling blog posts, social media updates, and email newsletters to build brand loyalty and encourage engagement.

• Paid Advertising Management: Running pay-per-click (PPC) ads on platforms like Google Ads, Facebook Ads, or LinkedIn, optimizing campaigns to stretch your budget and boost ROI.

• SEO & Organic Reach: Making sure your website and content show up in relevant Google searches—because if people can’t find you, they can’t buy from you.

• Analytics & Continuous Optimization: Tracking metrics like cost per acquisition (CPA), lead quality, and overall campaign performance, then iterating as needed.

In short, they’re part creative strategist, part data sleuth, and part brand ambassador.

2. Why Every Business Needs Digital Marketers

In this day and age, companies of all sizes can benefit—especially in our hyper-connected world. Here’s how:

1. Reach the Right Audience

   • You don’t want to spend time and money guessing who might buy. Digital marketers use data to laser-focus on the demographics, locations, and interests most likely to yield results. This will even help you with your offline marketing and sales efforts.

2. Maximize Your Budget

   • In digital marketing, even a small budget can move the needle if deployed strategically. By testing different messaging, platforms, or audiences, you can refine your approach and avoid wasting ad spend.

3. Stay Ahead of Competition

   • Do you really want rivals dominating the social feeds or search engine results your customers see? A digital marketer ensures you remain visible and top of mind.

4. Adapt to Market Changes

   • Consumer habits can shift in a heartbeat. When they do, digital marketing experts can pivot campaigns quickly—updating ads, messaging, and focus areas to match new market realities.

Digital marketers can help your business move beyond guesswork and into data-driven results. Whether you’re a startup trying to get noticed or an established company looking to expand, an all-star marketer can align your brand with the people who matter most—your future customers.

3. What makes a Top Digital Marketer one of the best?

Top digital marketers have honed specific qualities that set them apart from the crowd. While no two professionals are identical, here are some common denominators:

1. Innovative Thinking

   • Marketing trends move fast, so people in this field can’t be stuck in a single channel or approach. While yes it is good to focus on one channel to start, it’s important to expand and be everyone your customers are spending their time. Tip: watch for those who embrace new features, platforms, and tactics to keep you ahead of the curve.

2. Analytical Skills

   • It’s easy to get dazzled by “vanity metrics” (likes, shares, comments), but top-tier marketers look deeper. They connect data to ROI—tying ad campaigns to conversions, revenue, or other tangible KPIs. They know when to look at ROAS versus CAC/LTV, or how to structure funnels for B2B businesses versus e-commerce brands.

3. Adaptability

   • Algorithms change, consumer behaviors shift, budgets fluctuate. The best digital marketers pivot quickly, testing new angles to find what resonates best at any given moment.

4. Empathy for the Customer

   • Marketing isn’t just about shouting the loudest. It’s about solving someone’s problem or fulfilling a need. Pros with a knack for understanding the customer’s mindset can craft more genuine, compelling campaigns.

5. Solid Communication

   • Between strategizing with your team, briefing designers, or reporting to stakeholders, communication is critical. Clear, concise updates and presentations help keep everyone aligned on goals.

4. Should I hire a freelancer or a full-time digital marketer?

If you’re short on time, budget, or both, you might be debating whether to hire an in-house marketing role or bring in an outside consultant. Here’s a quick guide:

1. In-House Digital Marketer

   • Pros: Better day-to-day availability, deeper integration into your company culture.

   • Cons: May require a salary + benefits; if they lack a certain skill, you’ll need an additional hire or training.

2. Freelance/Agency Digital Marketing Experts

   • Pros: Specialized knowledge; flexible engagement models (monthly retainer or project-based).

   • Cons: Less immediate availability; might balance multiple clients; ensures you stay on top of deadlines and briefs.

3. The Hybrid Approach

   • Pros: You get the best of both worlds—an internal point person who collaborates with a specialized agency or consultant on larger initiatives.

   • Cons: Coordination overhead; requires a clear division of tasks to avoid confusion.

4. Pair Them With An Advisor

   • Regardless of who you hire, whether it’s a freelancer or someone full-time, we highly recommend pairing them with a marketing advisor who has an incredible track record. By finding someone who’s successfully built a digital marketing program for a fast growing company and having them advise your new hire, you can afford to hire someone less senior, but get the ideas and experience of a top digital marketer. 

   • If you need help with this, Intro can make the process of convincing and working with an advisor 100x easier.

Ultimately, the choice comes down to resources, growth stage, and the complexity of your marketing needs. Some businesses thrive on a single, dedicated in-house marketer. Others prefer tapping into external digital marketing experts with specialized skill sets like SEO, paid ads, or conversion copywriting.

5. Where to Find the Best Digital Marketers

So, where exactly do you start your search? Here are a few avenues:

1. Professional Platforms

   • Sites like Intro or LinkedIn are filled with skilled marketers. Filter by experience, past successes, and reviews to whittle down the candidates.

2. Referrals & Word of Mouth

   • If you have fellow entrepreneurs or colleagues in your network, ask them for recommendations. A rave review from someone who’s personally worked with a digital marketer can be a goldmine.

3. Marketing Communities & Events

   • Online communities (e.g., in Slack channels, Facebook Groups) or in-person conferences can give you a first-hand look at how marketers discuss their craft. You can quickly see who stands out as knowledgeable.

4. Case Studies & Testimonials

   • If you’re browsing a candidate’s website or agency page, check for real-world case studies. The top digital marketers have no issue showing you their track record in measurable terms—like a 35% decrease in cost per click or a 50% increase in email subscribers.

6. How to work with a Digital Marketer

Once you’ve decided on a partner, here’s how to set the stage for a smooth working relationship:

• Define Clear Goals & KPIs

  • Whether it’s lead generation, e-commerce sales, or email sign-ups, get specific. Align on what success looks like before you launch any campaign.

• Provide Access to Key Tools

  • Be ready to share logins for your website’s back-end, ad platforms, and analytics dashboards. The quicker your marketer can get insights, the sooner they can optimize.

• Stay Open to Feedback

  • Hiring a marketer isn’t just a one-way street. You might need to adjust your product positioning or your brand voice based on their recommendations.

• Schedule Regular Check-Ins

  • Quick weekly or biweekly calls keep everyone on the same page. Review metrics, discuss any roadblocks, and refine your approach as needed.

• Celebrate Wins & Learn from Failures

  • Not every campaign will be a home run—some might strike out spectacularly. Top digital marketers treat these as learning experiences, iterating until you find the perfect formula.

7. Final Word: Digital Marketers as Essential Growth Partners

In an era where customer attention is scattered across countless channels, having skilled digital marketers on your team can make all the difference. They’re the ones who map out your brand’s online journey, turning curious prospects into devoted customers. By identifying your unique selling points, selecting the right platforms, and keeping an eagle eye on the data, these digital marketing experts help you stay competitive, no matter how fast your industry evolves.

So if you’re looking to amplify visibility, streamline your campaigns, or level up your bottom line, consider bringing in one of the top digital marketers. Invest wisely in building that partnership, and you’ll have a robust engine driving sustainable, long-term growth.