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Digital Ads

Demystifying digital advertising

While digital advertising certainly isn't new to the industry, it's become a popular tactic for many businesses looking to expand their advertising strategy. It's such a good choice because of the ability to target a specific audience – by behavior, geography or by certain keywords.

Digital advertising is the promotion of products or brands via one or more forms of electronic media. This includes websites, social media, mobile, electronic billboards, digital television or radio. You may have even heard it described as interactive, new media or even internet and online marketing.

Two main categories exist within digital advertising: paid and display advertising. Paid is usually referred to as pay-per-click (PPC) or cost-per-click (CPC). Display advertising refers to the use of online ad banners of various shapes, sizes and formats. These ads could use a combination of text, images, audio and video to communicate a message. We'll focus on the display category for this article.

Web banners are typically sold by a certain number of impressions – the number of people who see your ad. One person equals one impression. Depending on budget, you will typically pay for a certain number of impressions per month. Sometimes, however, it is possible to purchase ads for a fixed cost over a certain time period.

Display advertising is sold through advertising networks that run ads on websites. Your ad could appear on well-known websites such as news sites, home decorating sites and more. If a website allows advertising, it's possible your ad could show up there. Ad networks are able to track display ads and provide monthly reports on user interactions.

As part of the digital campaign, depending on the objective, AMPM recommends that ads link directly to a landing page or microsite to give the audience specific information. Installing website analytics on the landing page or microsite offers valuable information about audience behavior once they've clicked the ad.

When comparing digital advertising to traditional advertising, the benefits are numerous.

  • Broad reach – potential to reach internet users anywhere
  • Targeted – easier to identify and target specific customer demographics
  • Cost-effective – reach a large audience
  • Flexible – easy to make changes to ads/messages
  • Improved engagement – allows brand promotion as well as gathers immediate feedback from customer base

As with all advertising and marketing activities, it's best not to put all your eggs in one basket. Yes, digital advertising is effective, but it should be part of a well-rounded strategy that meets your goals and reaches your target audience.

Contributors

Julie FosterJulie Foster

Account Executive

While the majority of Julie’s experience is in the marketing and advertising field, she’s blundered her way through roles for which she felt extremely out of her element: makeup artist, costume designer and props master.

Lindsay HenryLindsay Henry

Lindsay Henry has over 12 years of communications and professional writing experience across several industries. Her keen understanding of the written word and establishing voice through copy is a major asset in achieving key communication objectives with clarity and creativity.

Greg BranchGreg Branch

When Greg started writing advertising, state-of-the-art meant sticks and clay tablets. For over 40 years, he never seemed to run out of new ways to say things. Greg unexpectedly passed away in 2019 after serving as AMPM’s brand strategist for eight years. His quick wit, gentle demeanor and talent with words is sorely missed, but we are all grateful to have worked with and called him our friend.

Julie BattleJulie K. Battle

There are few roles Julie hasn’t held in the advertising agency business. Everything from copywriter, account executive, creative director, film director, agency owner and several she won’t admit to.

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