Digital branding explained

Digital branding is a brand management technique that uses a combination of internet branding and digital marketing to develop a brand over a range of digital venues, including internet-based relationships, device-based applications[1] [2] or media content.[3]

Concept

Digital branding aims to create connections between consumers and the products or service being delivered[4] [5] [6] so that brand recognition is established in the digital world.[7] In short, the goal of digital branding is not necessarily driving sales, but enhancing the awareness, image, and style of the brand. Digital branding in turn drives long-term customer loyalty.

Brand establishment involves four key points:

  1. Building a digital brand story
  2. Creativity in digital media and marketing
  3. Digital channels and content distributed to channels based on consumer data and habits
  4. Creating digital relationships.

Digital impact on branding

Before the internet, information about companies and consumers was somewhat limited due to access to information, geographical separation, and lack of interaction.[8] The existence of the internet and websites has therefore transformed branding:[9] the internet has transformed interaction between brands and customers; and websites facilitate online marketing and sales, as well as collecting comprehensive data on customers.[10]

Another impact on branding practices is the emergence of value co-creation as an alternative way to long-term customer relationships, customer loyalty, and eventual profitability. Joint effort is formed between the companies and customers during the various stages of the product. It strengthens the bond and builds loyalty and customer engagement.[11]

Digital branding channels

According to Mabbly CEO, Hank Ostholthoff, digital branding is facilitated by multiple channels. As an advertiser, one's core objective is to find channels that result in maximum two-way communication and a better overall return-of-investment for the brand.

There are multiple online marketing channels available, namely:[12]

Personal digital branding

See also: Personal branding. As social media platforms have been established and have evolved over the last couple of decades, digital branding has become personal. Individuals have taken to social media to brand and market themselves in building their personal and professional lives.[18] Consequently, boundaries between the personal and professional are fading.

Those who participate in social media sites should be aware that their social media content is public and may be accessed by colleagues, clients, and other professional references. Many universities and workplaces have established social media policies. A well-curated social media presence may be attractive to employers, while poorly representing oneself is an employment liability.[19]

See also

Notes and References

  1. Book: Kompella, Kartikeya. The Definitive Book of Branding. 2014-08-05. SAGE Publications India. 9789351501046. en.
  2. Book: Chiles, David. Apps: Everything You Need To Know. 2013-05-08. David Paul Chiles. en.
  3. Web site: 4 Ways to Master the Art of Digital Branding. Hank. Ostholthoff . The Huffington Post. 2016-03-12.
  4. Shamoon, Sumaira, and Saiqa Tehseen. "Brand Management: What Next?" Interdisciplinary Journal of Contemporary Research in Business 2.12 (2011): 435–441. Business Source Complete. Web. Oct 20, 2012.
  5. News: Wilson . Chris . Interview with Brand Consultant and Author Marty Neumeier . Fresh Peel . 21 April 2009 . 6 March 2014.
  6. News: Branding Definition . Entrepreneur . 4 March 2014.
  7. News: Edelman. David C.. 2010-12-01. Branding in the Digital Age. Harvard Business Review. December 2010. 2020-10-23. 0017-8012.
  8. Web site: CPBI. Ryan Shelley. Then vs Now: How the Internet Continues to Transform Traditional Marketing. 2020-10-24. www.smamarketing.net. en-us.
  9. Web site: The Evolution of Digital Marketing: 30 Years in the Past & Future. 2020-10-24. digitalmarketinginstitute.com.
  10. Web site: 2019-01-14. How Do Big Companies Collect Customer Data?. 2020-10-23. ITChronicles. en-US.
  11. Book: Wang, Yichuan. Co-Creation in Branding through Social Commerce: The Role of Social Support, Relationship Quality and Privacy Concerns. Twentieth Americas Conference on Information Systems, Savannah. 2014.
  12. Web site: 3 Digital Marketing Channels That Work for Every Advertiser. Pratik Dholakiya. 14 April 2015. Entrepreneur. 17 October 2015.
  13. Jansen, B. J., Sobel, K., and Zhang, M. (2011) The Brand Effect of Key Phrases and Advertisements in Sponsored Search. International Journal of Electronic Commerce. 6(1), 77-106.
  14. Web site: 4 Important Digital Marketing Channels You Should Know About. Digital Doughnut. 17 October 2015.
  15. Book: Cocoran, Ian. The Art of Digital Branding. 2010-06-29. Simon and Schuster. 978-1-58115-802-1. en.
  16. News: Green . R. Kay . 7 Highly-Effective Ways to Maximize Your Online Brand Presence . Huffington Post . 25 April 2013 . 21 February 2014 .
  17. News: Fallon . Nicole . 7 Highly-Effective Ways to Maximize Your Online Brand Presence . Business News Daily . 10 December 2013 . 21 February 2014 .
  18. Web site: Rutherford . Katie . 2021-02-24 . Looking Back on a Decade of Social Media - College of Communication and Information . 2022-11-24 . en-US.
  19. Kleppinger. Courtney A.. Cain. Jeff. 2015-08-25. Personal Digital Branding as a Professional Asset in the Digital Age. American Journal of Pharmaceutical Education. en. 79. 6. 79. 10.5688/ajpe79679. 26430266. 0002-9459. 4584371.