Cart Preview
    iMedia: Digital Strategy, Search Engine Optimization, and Social Media Management

    Create high-impact digital marketing

    Interactive media (or in its shortened form, imedia) consist of a host of electronic and digital tools that enable companies to interact with and engage customers. These tools have changed much about how marketing communications are deployed. But most of the bedrock concepts—the fundamental concepts of marketing—are still valid. The primary job of marketers is to attract and grow customers. Therefore, these marketers must to adapt to customers’ changing media habits in an effort to attract, engage, and retain customers in the digital age. This course provides you with actionable, how-to information for success.


    During this course, you will learn:

    How to increase your (personal) value through analytics

    Yes, we know it should be all about the customers…but the fact is you increase your value as a marketer if you can provide relevant analytics about your customers. That's why you will learn about a host of metrics to consider.

    Pros and cons of Facebook marketing

    Although droves of companies have jumped onto the Facebook bandwagon, it’s a good idea for marketers to evaluate whether this medium is the best approach to their social media strategy. Think about the benefits, the risks, and the alternatives available as you develop your strategy.

    What’s hot and what’s not

    Do a search on social marketing or SEO and you will have millions of hits. It can be overwhelming and constantly changing. But what are the important areas to hone in on? Gain a perspective from people who are renowned in this industry and can give you honest opinions on trends…and often even on your own website.

    How to get your Web strategy right

    Think integration…from strategy to analytics. Customer archetypes, SEO, link-building, design, copy, user experience, sales conversions, and metrics (as well as social media) should all be part of your imedia strategy for taking marketing digital.

    Tips to “un-silo” your customer communications channels

    Determine when products require different sales approaches or types of interaction. Align your web activities with the business strategy behind your advertising campaigns. Build a 360° view. Break down silos between marketing, sales, and IT.


    Who should attend?

    This course provides excellent insights for directors, managers, and executives involved in:

    • Digital and interactive marketing
    • Marketing, sales, advertising, and communications
    • New media planning
    • Product and brand management
    • Customer acquisition/retention
    • IT and website development

    Optimize your learning experience when you attend this course with a team of your coworkers. Return to your office ready to use your new skills and implement what you learned!

    Day 1: Digital Strategy

    You’ve heard it before, but it’s worth emphasizing again. Digital marketing should not be developed in a vacuum, and we’ll provide the appropriate foundation on the first day.

    Start with the foundation

    • Outline the marketing strategy (target market, brand, sales funnel) driving your Web strategy
    • Define related digital goals and objectives
    • Assess potential value of push-and-pull tools and techniques
    • Ensure alignment with corporate direction, strategic partners, and influencers

    Establish relevant metrics and Web analytics

    • Define Web and multi-channel analytics
    • Move from campaign management to engagement management
    • Convert leads from LinkedIn groups and other media
    • Establish the right balance of online and offline tools to generate revenue

    Day 2: Search Engine Optimization

    Attracting customers in your target market begins with effective SEO. Learn how to do it right.

    Create your own toolkit

    • Clarify the role of SEO and PPC
    • Compare keyword research tools and define relevant keywords
    • Optimize your site’s architecture
    • List structural issues that can inhibit search potential
    • Define the best metrics to track

    Circling back to your website

    • Create relevant landing pages
    • Develop copy that is both SEO- and human-friendly
    • Determine link-worthy content
    • Connect to social media

    Day 3: Social Media Management

    Leverage the ever-shifting tools of social media to create strong customer connections...and learn how to from practitioners who update their skills on an ongoing basis.

    Establishing social media strategy

    • The convergence of search and social media
    • Amplifying content to a broader audience
    • Evaluating the role of Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, and other media
    • Understanding the science of social persuasion

    Implementing social media strategy

    • Listen, learn, adapt: avoid social media nightmares
    • Assess resource requirements
    • Set up standards, codes of conduct, and operational procedures

    Steven E. Bork has a strong marketing background, with an MBA in marketing from DePaul University and over 30 years of experience in marketing communications consulting and program supervision. He has prepared hundreds of marcom strategies for clients over the years and seen them through successful execution. In addition, Steve has successfully completed training in Philip Crosby’s Quality Education System, the University of Chicago’s Customer Satisfaction Program, and in branding with the Brand Establishment, a part of the Second Wind Agency Network. Steve’s specialties are in branding, market research, and Internet/interactive marketing.

    Troy Janisch is the digital marketing manager for American Family Insurance, the nation's third largest mutual insurance company and the nation's 14th-largest property/casualty insurance group. He previously worked as founder/president of Icon Interactive and partner/interactive media director for The Hiebing Group, a $40 million advertising agency. Janisch is publisher of SocialMeteor.com and has a Master’s degree in mass communication from the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

    Stephan Spencer is author of Google Power Search and co-author of The Art of SEO. Stephan founded Netconcepts in 1995 as an interactive agency and over time it morphed into an SEO firm. Netconcepts was acquired by Covario in January 2010. Stephan left in September 2010 to start several new ventures. He is the inventor of GravityStream, a pay-for-performance SEO technology now rebranded as Covario's Organic Search Optimizer. He is a highly sought-after conference speaker on SEO and other online marketing topics for the DMA, AMA, Shop.org, Internet Retailer, SMX, SES, O'Reilly/TechWeb (Web 2.0 Expo), PubCon, Affiliate Summit, ECMOD, IQPC, and IIR, among others.