Introduction

You ever sit in a coffee shop and wonder how that little café got so popular on Instagram? Or maybe how your competitor’s small business is popping up on Google while yours is nowhere in sight? Trust me, I’ve been there too — confused, curious, and a little frustrated. That’s when I started digging into this world of digital marketing.

So in this guide, I’m gonna break it down for you — not like those overcomplicated textbooks — but like how a friend would explain it to you over a cup of chai. Let’s dive into what digital marketing really means, what people like me (aka digital marketing strategists) actually do, and how local, creative, and even freelance digital marketing can change the game for your small business.

What Is Digital Marketing?

Okay, no jargon here.

Digital marketing is just using the internet and digital tools to promote stuff — your services, products, even yourself. So whether you’re running Facebook ads, posting on Instagram, sending emails, or writing a blog like this one, you’re already doing digital marketing (sort of).

But wait, it’s not just about posting and praying for likes. Real digital marketing means you’re reaching the right people, at the right time, with the right message. Sounds simple? It kinda is… and kinda isn’t.

Some Common Forms You Might Know:

• SEO (so people find you on Google)
• Social media marketing (your daily scroll game)
• Email marketing (those brand newsletters you ignore)
• Paid ads (the ones stalking you online)
• Content marketing (like what you’re reading now)

The beauty is — anyone can learn it and start using it effectively, especially if you’re a small or local business. That’s where the real magic lies.

Who Exactly Is a Digital Marketing Strategist?

Alright, now let’s talk about people like me — the digital marketing strategists.

Imagine you want to throw a party. A strategist is the one who plans everything: the guest list, the music, the snacks, the vibe. Same goes for marketing. We don’t just do one thing — we map out the whole digital game plan.

What I (and others like me) usually do:

• Research your audience (who are you even trying to reach?)
• Find the best channels to market (Instagram or email or both?)
• Set goals (more sales? more traffic?)
• Create timelines, content ideas, ad strategies
• Analyze what’s working and what’s totally flopping

Honestly, it’s not always glamorous. Some days it’s spreadsheets. Some days it’s watching ad analytics like a hawk. But the reward is seeing a small brand actually grow because of a strategy you created.

Freelance Digital Marketing – The New Age Hustle

Let’s get this out of the way — freelance digital marketing isn’t just working in PJs from home. Okay, sometimes it is. 😄

Freelancers are independent digital marketers who work with clients (like small biz owners, startups, creators) without being tied to a big company or agency. We’re like your go-to marketing buddy — flexible, skilled, and budget-friendly.

Why Businesses Prefer Freelancers:

• No big agency fees
• Flexible hours and fast turnaround
• You usually get to talk directly to the person doing the work

What Freelancers Do (Yes, even beginners):

• Run Instagram pages
• Write blog content
• Make email campaigns
• Manage ads
• Do basic SEO
• And sometimes, do everything from scratch!

When I started freelancing, I didn’t know everything. But I started with small gigs and learned by doing. Today, I offer both freelance services and work as a strategist. That’s the freedom digital gives you.

Let’s Talk Local: Why Local Digital Marketing Is Gold

Now, if you run a local business — say a candle shop in Pune, or a home-based bakery in Bangalore — this part is super important.

Local digital marketing means marketing your business online but focusing on people around you — in your city, neighborhood, or town.

Example?

Ever typed “best mehndi artist near me” on Google? That’s local marketing at play. And it works.

Here’s how I usually help local clients:

• Optimize their Google Business Profile (people forget this exists)
• Use local SEO keywords (like “Nagpur best makeup artist”)
• Post relatable, desi content on Instagram
• Get them reviews and testimonials from happy customers
• Run ads within a 10–15 km radius

It’s not about being everywhere — it’s about being in the right local circles online. Because when people trust you locally, they come back. And they refer others.

Creative Digital Marketing – Your Secret Superpower

This part… this is my favorite.

Creative digital marketing is what makes people stop scrolling. It’s what makes them smile, laugh, or save your post. Without creativity, your marketing is just noise.

So what makes something creative?

• Reels that tell a story, not just show a product
• Memes that speak your audience’s language
• A campaign around a festival or trend (imagine Ganesh Chaturthi + candles)
• Behind-the-scenes content that feels real

Sometimes, the most creative content isn’t even high-budget. I’ve seen a simple video shot on a phone go viral while a paid ad flopped.

So think beyond the product. Think vibe, emotion, culture, humor. People remember feelings more than facts.

Bringing It All Together: How These 4 Things Drive Growth

Let me quickly connect the dots — so it’s easy to remember.

Thing	Role in Growth
Digital Marketing Strategist	Makes the plan — sets the goals and maps the journey
Freelance Marketer	Executes the plan — runs ads, writes content, handles posts
Local Digital Marketing	Targets people near you — increases visibility & footfall
Creative Digital Marketing	Makes your brand memorable — increases engagement & trust

This is how I helped a small salon in my city:

• Optimized their Google profile
• Started posting trendy reels with clients
• Targeted girls within 5 km radius with ads
• Wrote emotional captions about self-love

They got 2x bookings in a month. No lies. Just right strategy + creative thinking + local focus.

Real-World Stories That Might Inspire You

Story 1: A Local Jewelry Seller

Started with no online presence. I helped her set up Instagram, took product pics, wrote relatable captions in Hinglish, and taught her how to take simple behind-the-scenes reels.

Her first reel hit 8,000 views. She got 12 orders in 3 days.

Story 2: Home Baker in Nagpur

Used local keywords like “best birthday cake Nagpur” and posted customer reviews with cute photos. I ran a ₹500 local ad for her. She sold out her weekend slots in under 48 hours.

Moral? You don’t need big budgets. Just a smart mix of local, creative, and personal marketing.

Some Honest Mistakes Beginners Make

Nobody’s perfect. Not even strategists. So here’s what I see beginners (and sometimes businesses) doing wrong:

❌ Focusing only on followers, not engagement
❌ Posting without a clear brand voice
❌ Ignoring local SEO
❌ Copying content without adding your touch
❌ Not replying to comments or DMs (huge trust breaker)
❌ Not understanding the audience first

Start slow. Learn your audience. And always, always provide some kind of value — laughter, tips, inspiration, aesthetics… anything.