The Teacher’s Brief: DM Essentials
The Teacher’s Brief: DM Essentials
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Lesson Overview
Lesson Overview
Digital marketing is the art of engaging an audience to deliver on business objectives. This module moves beyond siloed tactics to explore Integrated Marketing, ensuring a consistent brand message across all channels. We deconstruct the Media Mix (Owned, Paid, and Earned) and contrast Inbound (Pull) versus Outbound (Push) strategies. The curriculum places a heavy emphasis on AI as a Data Powerhouse, exploring how machine learning enables hyper-personalization and automation. Finally, students will learn to map the Buyer’s Journey, integrating AI tools at every stage from initial exposure to long-term advocacy.
Core Learning Outcomes
Core Learning Outcomes
Strategy vs. Channel: Distinguish between digital marketing (the strategic engagement activities) and digital media (the specific communication channels used).
Media Mix Categorization: Master the Owned, Paid, and Earned model to evaluate and balance a brand's media presence.
Integrated Branding: Explain the importance of integrated marketing in breaking down silos and creating a unified, global brand identity.
AI Workflow Optimization: Identify specific leverage points for Artificial Intelligence in data analysis, customer personalization, and task automation.
Market Intelligence: Apply audience research and three-tier competitor analysis (Primary, Secondary, Tertiary) to sharpen market positioning.
Funnel Mastery: Map the Buyer’s Journey—from discovery and consideration to conversion and retention—and determine where to deploy AI tools like chatbots and predictive email.
Lesson Overview
Lesson Overview
Social media marketing is the strategic use of digital networks to build brand authority and connect with global audiences. This module clarifies the critical distinction between a Marketing Channel (the path of communication) and a Marketing Platform (the tool used to manage it). Students will explore advanced audience research techniques, moving beyond simple demographics to master Sentiment Analysis and Social Listening. The curriculum provides tailored strategies for high-impact networks like Instagram and LinkedIn, while teaching learners how to track success through KPIs and maximize Return on Investment (ROI).
Core Learning Outcomes
Core Learning Outcomes
Structural Differentiation: Distinguish between marketing channels (the medium) and marketing platforms (the management software).
Intelligence Gathering: Implement audience research techniques, including Social Listening to monitor keywords and Sentiment Analysis to decode audience emotions.
Platform-Specific Optimization: Identify the unique demographics and strategic advantages of visual storytelling on Instagram versus B2B professional networking on LinkedIn.
Content Diversification: Develop a varied content strategy that balances "How-to" authority posts, data-driven "Database" posts, and personal brand storytelling.
Competitive Gap Analysis: Analyze competitor engagement and follower growth to identify underserved niches in the global market.
Performance Metrics: Define and track success using Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) such as reach and engagement rate, while calculating the ROI of paid campaigns.
Lesson Overview
Lesson Overview
Content marketing is the strategic process of creating and distributing valuable, relevant, and consistent material to attract and retain a clearly defined audience. This module explores how to establish brand authority by aligning content with the specific stages of the Buyer’s Journey—from Awareness to Advocacy. Students will learn to build Buyer Personas using data-driven research, distinguish between the immediate impact of Topical Content and the long-term ROI of Evergreen Content, and leverage AI tools to scale production while maintaining a distinct brand voice.
Core Learning Outcomes
Core Learning Outcomes
Strategic Intent: Define content marketing and explain its role in driving profitable customer action through authority and trust.
Journey Alignment: Master the art of mapping content types (educational vs. persuasive) to the Awareness, Consideration, and Conversion stages of the funnel.
Persona Development: Research and build semi-fictional Buyer Personas to ensure messaging resonates with specific audience segments.
Content Lifecycle Management: Distinguish between Topical (news-driven) and Evergreen (long-term value) content to balance a marketing calendar.
AI-Augmented Creativity: Utilize a structured creative process—Research, "Brewing," and Validation—supported by AI tools like Gemini or ChatGPT for rapid drafting and outlining.
Distribution Mastery: Employ a balanced mix of Owned, Earned, and Paid Media to ensure content reaches the right audience at the right time.
Lesson Overview
Lesson Overview
People don’t buy what you do; they buy why you do it. This module explores the art and science of Narrative Marketing, starting with the Golden Circle Framework to align brand values with human emotions. We shift the perspective from the company to the customer, establishing the buyer as the "Hero" through detailed Buyer Personas that combine demographics with Psychographics. Finally, students will learn to map the traditional Hero’s Journey onto the modern marketing funnel—transforming a simple transaction into a powerful, transformative experience.
Core Learning Outcomes
Core Learning Outcomes
Strategic Purpose Mastery: Explain why a brand must articulate its core "Why" to connect with audience values and drive subconscious human behavior.
Hero-Centric Positioning: Recognize that in successful storytelling, the customer—not the business—is the central character and hero of the narrative.
Advanced Persona Development: Utilize both demographics (who they are) and Psychographics (why they buy) to create resonant buyer personas like "Ana Sharma, the aspiring urbanite."
Narrative Mapping: Apply the Hero's Journey framework to visualize the buyer's path, from the "Ordinary World" of awareness to the "Ordeal" of the purchase and the final "Reward" of transformation.
Resonant Strategy Creation: Develop marketing strategies that address specific emotional motivations at every stage of the customer’s purchase path.
Lesson Overview
Lesson Overview
SEO is the strategic process of optimizing a website to rank higher in organic search results. This module explores the three-step lifecycle of search—Crawling, Indexing, and Ranking—and analyzes the 200+ factors Google uses to determine authority. Students will learn to distinguish between Short-tail and Long-tail keywords, map content to the four types of Search Intent, and navigate the anatomy of a SERP, including Featured Snippets and Meta Descriptions. The curriculum culminates in a practical breakdown of On-page optimization (content and tags) versus Off-page authority building (backlinks and PR).
Core Learning Outcomes
Core Learning Outcomes
The Visibility Mandate: Define SEO and explain its critical role in driving organic traffic and reducing a brand's long-term reliance on paid advertising.
Technical Search Mechanics: Describe the process search engines use to discover and organize content: scanning pages (Crawling), storing data (Indexing), and retrieving the best results (Ranking).
Ranking Factor Identification: Identify the pillars of search authority, including high-quality content, User Experience (UX), mobile-friendliness, and secure HTTPS protocols.
SERP Anatomy: Differentiate between organic listings, paid ads, and "Rich Snippets" while mastering the creation of click-worthy Title Tags and Meta Descriptions.
Intent Alignment: Analyze the four levels of user intent—Navigational, Informational, Commercial, and Transactional—to align content with the user's specific stage in the buyer's journey.
Keyword Strategy: Distinguish between broad Short-tail keywords and specific Long-tail keywords, understanding the higher conversion potential of niche phrases.
Dual-Track Optimization: Explain the difference between On-page SEO (optimizing what is on your site) and Off-page SEO (building reputation through backlinks and social signals).
Lesson Overview
Lesson Overview
Email marketing is the most direct and profitable channel in the digital mix, consistently delivering a higher Return on Investment (ROI) than social media. This module deconstructs the Anatomy of a High-Performing Email, from crafting 50-character subject lines to the strategic 80/20 balance of value versus promotion. Students will learn how to build high-quality lists using Gated Content, navigate the rigorous requirements of Canadian Anti-Spam Legislation (CASL), and analyze key metrics like Click-Through Rates (CTR). Finally, we explore the future of the inbox: using Generative AI and Predictive Analytics for hyper-personalized scheduling.
Core Learning Outcomes
Core Learning Outcomes
The ROI Advantage: Explain why email is a superior direct-to-audience channel compared to algorithm-dependent social media platforms.
Email Engineering: Construct marketing emails using best practices for subject lines, dynamic personalization, and "Above the Fold" Call to Action (CTA) placement.
Strategic List Building: Develop a growth strategy using Gated Content (exchanging value for data) and incentivized sign-up forms.
Legal Integrity (CASL): Ensure 100% compliance with Canadian law by mastering the three pillars: Consent, Identification, and Unsubscribe mechanisms.
Performance Analytics: Analyze campaign health by interpreting Open Rates, CTR, and Conversion Rates while monitoring list hygiene through Bounce Rates.
AI & Automation: Identify opportunities to use AI for subject line optimization and predictive analytics to determine the "Hyper-Personalized" optimal send time.
Lesson Overview
Lesson Overview
Digital advertising is the high-velocity vehicle that moves a brand through the marketing funnel. This module explores the foundational "engines" of paid media: Push Marketing, which utilizes the Google Display Network (GDN) and YouTube to create awareness, and Pull Marketing, which captures existing intent via Paid Search. Students will master the technical mechanics of Keyword Match Types (Broad, Phrase, and Exact) and the defensive use of Negative Keywords. Finally, we dive into the analytical rigor of the "Google Auction," exploring how Quality Score and ROAS dictate the ultimate profitability of a global campaign.
Core Learning Outcomes
Core Learning Outcomes
The Push-Pull Dynamic: Distinguish between "Push" strategies (creating demand) and "Pull" strategies (capturing demand) and identify where each sits in the marketing funnel.
Display Network Mastery: Utilize the Google Display Network (GDN) to reach 90% of internet users through Responsive Display Ads that automatically adapt to available ad space.
Video Format Strategy: Identify the correct YouTube ad format for specific goals, including TrueView In-stream (skippable), Bumper Ads (6-second), and Audio Ads.
Advanced Audience Targeting: Implement re-engagement strategies through Remarketing and reach high-intent groups using Affinity Audiences.
Keyword Match Precision: Master the hierarchy of keyword targeting—Broad, Phrase, and Exact Match—to align ad spend with user intent.
Analytical Performance Tracking: Evaluate campaign success by monitoring critical KPIs: CTR (Click-through Rate), CPC (Cost per Click), Conversion Rate, Quality Score, and ROAS (Return on Ad Spend).
Lesson Overview
Lesson Overview
Optimization is more than just speed; it is a commitment to a seamless user journey. This module explores the foundational relationship between UX, SEO, and Performance, emphasizing the role of consistency in reducing Cognitive Load. We dive into the philosophy of "Optimizing for Failure," learning how helpful 404 pages and clear form validations can prevent user abandonment. Students will master a suite of professional monitoring tools—including GA4, Google Search Console, and PageSpeed Insights—to identify technical bottlenecks like broken links and slow "Contentful Paint" times, turning data into a high-converting digital experience.
Core Learning Outcomes
Core Learning Outcomes
The Trust-Performance Link: Understand how site speed and cross-device consistency build user competence and brand authority.
Resilient Design: Implement "Optimizing for Failure" strategies, using helpful 404 pages and intuitive form validations to retain frustrated users.
Technical SEO Diagnostics: Identify common performance "blocks," such as poor XML sitemaps, broken internal links, and unoptimized images.
Professional Tool Proficiency: Effectively navigate the "Optimization Toolkit":
GA4: For behavioral insights and conversion tracking.
GSC: For site health, mobile usability, and keyword refinement.
PageSpeed Insights: For technical speed audits and resource minification.
Speed Optimization Techniques: Apply advanced methods like Browser Caching, CSS/JS Minification, and image compression to reduce bounce rates.
Conversion Rate Optimization (CRO): Execute a data-driven strategy to move visitors from "browsing" to "action" using integrated research from Google Trends and Keyword Planner.
Lesson Overview
Lesson Overview
Understanding your audience is the foundation of business growth. This module provides a comprehensive guide to setting up and optimizing Google Analytics 4 (GA4). We move from the technical configuration of Data Streams and "Debug View" to a deep dive into the three pillars of GA4 reporting: Acquisition (the source), Engagement (the behavior), and Monetization (the revenue). Students will master the transition from session-based tracking to the Event-based Model, learning to leverage AI for predictive insights like Purchase and Churn Probability. Finally, we explore the power of Google Ads Integration to close the loop on ROI.
Core Learning Outcomes
Core Learning Outcomes
Technical Implementation: Master the setup of GA4 properties, from configuring web/app Data Streams to using the Debug View for real-time data verification.
Data Interpretation (The Big Three): Navigate and interpret the core report suites:
Acquisition: Identifying user sources (Organic, Paid, Direct).
Engagement: Tracking behavior through scroll depth, time spent, and pages per session.
Monetization: Analyzing revenue, average order value, and conversion rates.
Event Tracking Mastery: Distinguish between Automatically Collected events, Enhanced Measurement (like social shares), and Custom Events tailored to specific business goals.
Strategic Audience Segmentation: Use demographic and behavioral data to create tailored marketing experiences and recover lost sales through remarketing.
Predictive Strategy Development: Understand how to apply AI-driven metrics—such as Purchase Probability and Revenue Prediction—to optimize marketing spend.
Ecosystem Integration: Link GA4 with Google Ads to track the full customer journey and enhance ROI through data-driven ad targeting.
Lesson Overview
Lesson Overview
A strategy is a comprehensive roadmap designed to achieve specific business goals through coordinated online channels. This module deconstructs the strategic process, beginning with the critical importance of Documentation—the anchor that ensures brand consistency and direction. Students will learn to establish Measurable Objectives, conduct deep Target Audience Analysis using psychographic personas, and select the right mix of Push and Pull Channels. We also explore the practicalities of Resource Allocation, budgeting for ad spend and personnel, and the Iterative Optimization loop that uses analytics to refine campaigns in real-time.
Core Learning Outcomes
Core Learning Outcomes
Strategic Intent & Documentation: Define the fundamental purpose of a digital marketing strategy and understand why a documented plan is essential for maintaining brand consistency and measurable growth.
Goal Engineering: Establish specific, performance-based marketing objectives (e.g., Lead Gen, Brand Awareness) that align with broader organizational KPIs.
Persona Mapping: Develop detailed Target Audience Personas by synthesizing demographic, behavioral, and online data to identify customer "Pain Points."
Channel Selection Logic: Evaluate and select digital channels (SEO, PPC, Social, Email) based on where the target audience lives and the channel’s ROI potential.
Value-Driven Content Planning: Create a content roadmap that solves audience problems, utilizing a Content Calendar to ensure consistent global delivery.
Fiscal Optimization: Formulate a digital marketing budget that strategically distributes funds across ad spend, software tools, and content creation.
Data-Driven Refinement: Implement a tracking system for KPIs and financial metrics, using an iterative process to continuously optimize and refine marketing efforts.
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