How to Create a Digital Marketing Strategy from Scratch

May 28

A digital marketing strategy is a step-by-step plan for generating leads, building trust, and growing your business online using channels like your website, search engines, social media, and email. For small businesses in Dallas-Fort Worth, having a clear strategy is often the difference between inconsistent marketing and predictable growth.

If you’re starting from scratch, it can feel overwhelming — what channels matter, where to invest, and how to know if it’s working. The good news is that an effective strategy isn’t built on guesswork. It follows a clear, repeatable process. In this guide, we’ll walk through exactly how to build a digital marketing strategy that actually drives results.

Step 1: Define Your Goals

Every strong marketing strategy starts with a clear goal.

Ask yourself:

Do I want more website traffic?
Am I focused on generating leads?
Is brand awareness my priority?

Tip: Make your goals SMART — Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound.

Step 2: Identify Your Target Audience

Understanding your audience will shape every part of your strategy.

Consider:

Age, location, and demographics
Interests and challenges
Online behavior (where they spend time online)

For local businesses, knowing your Dallas-Fort Worth audience (or whatever region you are in) is especially important — you’ll want to tailor your SEO and ads to local search trends.

Step 3: Choose Your Channels

Not all platforms work for every business. Popular options include:

SEO (search engine optimization) – Build organic traffic from Google
- 5 Reasons Every Small Business Needs SEO
PPC (pay-per-click) Advertising – Quick results from paid search or social ads
Social Media Marketing – Connect with audiences on Instagram, LinkedIn, TikTok, or Facebook
Email Marketing – Nurture leads and keep customers engaged
Content Marketing – Use blogs, videos, and guides to educate and attract

Step 4: Develop Your Message & Branding

Your message should answer:

Who are you?
What problem do you solve?
What value do you provide over the competition?

Consistency in tone, style, and visuals builds brand trust — from your website to your social media posts.

Step 5: Create a Content Plan

Plan your marketing content in advance with a content calendar.

Ideas to include:

Blog posts (remembering to keep them SEO-focused)
Social media campaigns (consider holidays, local events, etc.)
Email newsletters
Videos, reels, or webinars

Step 6: Set Your Budget

Decide how much to invest in:

Paid advertising
Content creation
Tools (SEO software, email platforms, etc.)

Step 7: Track, Measure, and Adjust

Digital marketing is data-driven. Use tools like:

Google Analytics (track traffic and conversions)
Google Search Console (monitor SEO performance)
Social media insights (track engagement and reach)

Review results monthly and adjust as needed.

Final Thoughts

A successful digital marketing strategy isn’t built overnight — it’s a process of planning, testing, and refining. By starting with clear goals, knowing your audience, and focusing on the right channels, you can create a strategy that actually drives growth.

Need help building your plan from scratch?

Schedule a free strategy call with ATLATL Media and we’ll help you hit the ground running.

Colton Davis