09 Aug Digital Marketing: Theory Vs. “DOING”

Growing up, my family “made me” take nearly 10 years of piano lessons.  Now, in my late thirties, I have to admit that I miss those lessons and miss the opportunity to have continued on.  Today, I am even looking at the smallest portable keyboard to stow away in a closet at home when not in use.  Not sure I have the space for that grand piano in my family or dining room at home.  As always, I digress.

But the point that I want to raise is that even though I was very proficient in crescendos vs. pianissimos and being able to detect 8th notes from quarter notes, and could even translate that into a piece of music as articulated directly from the sheet music, it was ALWAYS a want and desire of mine to be able to play by ear.

Several of my friends could hear note or chord, and replicate that chord directly via the piano.  Guess what?  Most of the guys that could do that didn’t even know music.  However, they were the ones who could play the latest radio plays and attract a crowd at their beckoned call.

Today, Digital Marketers and their leadership should not only know theory, but also should be able to apply the knowledge!

• If you are not social with your own Twitter account, how are you leading acquisition strategy and tactics?
• If you are not familiar with how to run a Google Analytics or Omniture Sitecatalyst report, then how are you claiming that you are meeting your key performance indicators?
• How can you know the impact of strategically placed press releases via respected vendors AND their impact on SEO without having done it?

I am a firm believer that experience counts for something.  If you are new to Digital and Interactive Space, then make sure that you are getting your hands dirty and not only pontificating about your best practices techniques… but also are taking the time to implement the tactics in order to know what may or may not work.

In the space of Digital Marketing, a balanced approach of Theory and DOING is necessary.

Thoughts?