Digital marketing delivers measurable ROI that traditional marketing methods struggle to match. SEO campaigns alone can achieve returns of up to 1,031% in specific industries. But comparing the effectiveness of digital and traditional marketing requires a systematic approach focused on specific, measurable metrics. This analysis breaks down six key performance indicators that provide a clear […]

Digital vs Traditional Marketing: 6 Key Metrics to Compare ROI in 2025 appeared first on NealSchaffer.com

The digital marketing funnel visualizes your customer’s journey. It maps their path from first discovering your brand to making a purchase. Every business needs this strategic framework to succeed online. As a Fractional CMO, this is the framework for which I help guide my clients. I also feature the digital marketing funnel and offshoots of […]

The Digital Marketing Funnel: A Step-by-Step Guide to Converting Leads Into Customers appeared first on NealSchaffer.com

If you’ve been searching for how to become a digital marketer, chances are you’ve already run into dozens of articles listing the same steps: take a course, get certified, apply for entry-level jobs. But if your goal is more than just getting hired — if you want to build a strategic, sustainable, future-ready marketing career […]

How to Become a Digital Marketer in 2025 (From Someone Who’s Hired and Trained Dozens) appeared first on NealSchaffer.com

Podcasting has exploded in popularity, with over 4 million podcasts and nearly 600 million listeners worldwide. But can you actually make money podcasting? I have been podcasting with my Your Digital Marketing Coach podcast (which originated as Social Business Unplugged and then became Maximize Your Social and then Maximize Your Social Influence before its current […]

How to Make Money Podcasting: 13 Proven Strategies appeared first on NealSchaffer.com

Marketing analytics has become essential. Today’s business environment demands decisions based on data, not just intuition. The right analytics tools transform raw marketing data into actionable insights that drive real results. As an educator and consultant in this space, I’ve seen firsthand how proper analytics implementation changes organizations. Companies that embrace data-driven decision-making consistently outperform […]

How Marketing Analytics Tools Can Transform Your Business Decisions appeared first on NealSchaffer.com

The Chief Marketing Officer (CMO) role has never been more critical for business success than it is today. It’s a position that demands strategic vision, analytical precision, and cross-functional leadership. As organizations navigate increasingly complex markets, 80% of CEOs now view CMOs as critical to driving long-term growth. Yet despite this acknowledged importance, many organizations […]

What Does a CMO Do? A Look at the Chief Marketing Officer’s Role in Business Success appeared first on NealSchaffer.com

In the battle for market dominance, two metrics reign supreme: Share of Voice (SOV) and Share of Market (SOM). Understanding their relationship could be the key to unlocking your brand’s growth potential. I’ve seen firsthand how these metrics can make or break a marketing strategy. Let’s dive into what these crucial metrics mean and why […]

Share of Voice vs. Share of Market: What’s the Difference and Why It Matters? appeared first on NealSchaffer.com

I don’t need to remind you that today businesses face more competition than ever. Getting your message in front of the right audience requires strategic thinking, technical know-how, and constant adaptation. Many business owners struggle with digital marketing while trying to run their core operations. This struggle leads to a critical question: should you hire […]

Why Hiring a Digital Marketing Expert Could Be the Game-Changer Your Business Needs appeared first on NealSchaffer.com

As someone who has been blogging since 2008 and making money from my website since 2008, I often get asked how to monetize a website. To be honest, many blogs don’t understand the potential revenue streams that they can create or focus on one or two of many different strategies. You see, strategic website monetization […]

How to Monetize Your Website: 13 Strategies to Start Generating Revenue Today appeared first on NealSchaffer.com

Similar to how websites require a web host, if you want to publish your podcast and disseminate it to all of the major podcasting apps such as Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube Music, etc., you need to upload your podcast to a podcast hosting platform. I have been podcasting since 2013 with my Your Digital Marketing […]

Best 15 Podcast Hosting Platforms Ranked: Find the Right Fit for Your Show appeared first on NealSchaffer.com

Digital marketing is the name of the game for most types of commerce, even if ecommerce is not the only manner in which you interact with your customers. As the rise of digital marketing has continued, so too has the rise of artificial intelligence as an indispensable marketing tool. Despite its common use in today’s […]

AI in Digital Marketing: 27 Ways How Artificial Intelligence is Transforming Marketing Strategies appeared first on NealSchaffer.com

Growing website traffic requires a strategic combination of proven promotion methods and consistent optimization. Publishing quality content consistently drives significant results, with data showing that websites publishing over 16 blog posts monthly increase their visits by 3.5 times. This guide breaks down the exact methods how to promote your website and grow it from having […]

How to Promote Your Website: From Zero to 10,000 Visitors (Proven Methods) appeared first on NealSchaffer.com

Currently, 60% of small businesses use digital marketing to be an important tool to attract customers and drive sales. Why? Because digital marketing offers unique advantages that traditional marketing simply can’t match: But what exactly makes digital marketing so effective for small businesses? Let’s dive into the specific benefits and strategies that can help your […]

How Digital Marketing Helps Small Businesses Thrive in Today’s Market appeared first on NealSchaffer.com

Small businesses are discovering a powerful truth: digital marketing isn’t just an option anymore—it’s a game-changing force that’s leveling the playing field against bigger competitors. As someone who’s helped countless businesses transform their digital presence, I’ve witnessed firsthand how the benefits of digital marketing can revolutionize a small business’s growth trajectory and have written in […]

The Top 8 Benefits of Digital Marketing for Small Business Growth appeared first on NealSchaffer.com

Struggling to reach your marketing goals? You’re not alone. Here’s why companies are increasingly turning to marketing consultants like me for solutions. A marketing consultant is an external professional who provides strategic marketing expertise to help businesses improve their marketing efforts and drive growth.  Think of them as your marketing strategy partner – someone who […]

What Is a Marketing Consultant and How Can They Help Your Business Grow appeared first on NealSchaffer.com

Every click, every share, every conversion tells a story—but are you listening to what your data is saying? Making marketing decisions without proper analytics is like throwing darts in the dark—you might hit something, but you’re probably wasting a lot of resources along the way. What is Digital Marketing Analytics? Digital marketing analytics is the […]

What is Digital Marketing Analytics? How to Use Data to Drive Better Marketing Decisions appeared first on NealSchaffer.com

In an era where 2.71 billion people shop online, digital marketing isn’t just an option – it’s the lifeline of modern business success. As a digital marketing consultant who’s helped countless businesses transform their online presence, I’ve seen firsthand how proper digital marketing can revolutionize a company’s growth trajectory. I also wrote about my experiences […]

Understanding Digital Marketing in Business: A Guide for Entrepreneurs and Small Businesses appeared first on NealSchaffer.com

In this fast-paced world of digital marketing, having the right tools and platforms at your disposal can make all the difference. Whether you’re looking to automate your marketing efforts, gain deeper insights into your audience, or streamline your content management, the right digital marketing platforms are essential. Based on my experience as a digital marketing […]

21 Definitive Digital Marketing Platforms appeared first on NealSchaffer.com

A Fractional CMO is a part-time, experienced marketing executive who brings high-level expertise to your business without the full-time cost. Here’s what you need to know: Aspect Full-Time CMO Fractional CMO Time 40+ hrs/week 15-20 hrs/month Cost $150K+/year $36K-$72K/year Focus All marketing Specific projects Experience One company Multi-industry Fractional CMOs can supercharge your marketing by: […]

What Is a Fractional CMO, and How Can They Accelerate Your Marketing Strategy? appeared first on NealSchaffer.com

Digital marketing and social media marketing are often confused, but they’re not the same thing. Here’s what you need to know: Key differences: Where they connect: Quick Comparison: Aspect Digital Marketing Social Media Marketing Channels Websites, search engines, email, apps Social media platforms Primary goals Boost online presence, convert clicks Build relationships, increase engagement Key […]

Digital Marketing vs. Social Media Marketing: Understanding the Overlap and Differences appeared first on NealSchaffer.com

Digital marketing and affiliate marketing are two popular online strategies, but they work quite differently. Digital marketing is like being the captain of your own ship. You’re in charge of promoting your products or services across various online channels. You call the shots on your campaigns and brand image. Affiliate marketing? It’s more like being […]

Digital Marketing vs. Affiliate Marketing: Key Differences for Business Owners appeared first on NealSchaffer.com

Whether you are a podcaster or you want to analyze podcasts for advertising or guest appearance purposes, you will want to know what podcasts are popular and how certain podcasts compare in terms of popularity. These charts are useful as they allow you to analyze podcasts based on their industry and location and compare yourself […]

Discover the 8 Best Sites for Checking Podcast Rankings appeared first on NealSchaffer.com

I have personally seen how AI has provided a ton of benefits to my own Your Digital Marketing Coach podcast. Now i want to teach YOU about the power of AI podcasting through the tools that make cutting edge technology accessible to all. Through the power of AI, you can simplify your workflows, improve content […]

Top 21 AI Podcasting Tools for Editing, Marketing, and Enhancing Your Show appeared first on NealSchaffer.com

I have talked about podcasting in the past, and how this oft-overlooked marketing strategy is one that should not be ignored. Podcast guesting, however, is perhaps even less discussed, but can be an extremely valuable tool in your marketing arsenal.  Like guest blogging, and other tactics, podcast guesting is a great way to reach your […]

Podcast Guesting: Your Complete How-to Guide to this Secret Digital Marketing Strategy appeared first on NealSchaffer.com

If you’re a podcaster and haven’t been creating transcripts, you should definitely consider implementing transcript generators into your workflow. These tools allow you to repurpose content and reach a wider audience and, given that they’re free, they won’t drain your marketing budget. In this article, I’ll go through some of the best free apps in […]

15 Free Podcast Transcript Generators to Use for Your Next Episode appeared first on NealSchaffer.com