How to Use Digital Marketing in Business to Drive Real Revenue
- Crystal Waddell
- Mar 27
- 4 min read
Take control of your digital marketing — and stop guessing.
Learn how entrepreneurs and small business owners like you are attracting ideal clients using smart, sustainable strategies.
Why Digital Marketing in Business Matters More Than Ever
If you’re running a business today, you already know that just “being online” isn’t enough. Y
ou need a plan that connects visibility to actual revenue. That’s where digital marketing comes in — and when used strategically, it can become one of the most powerful tools for business growth.
🎙️ “Does this piece of content bring revenue to the business? Or does it have another type of value to reach your goals?”
— Alyssa Corso, SEO Consultant and BrightonSEO Speaker
Whether you're a product-based business, a service provider, or a local entrepreneur, the key is understanding how to align your digital marketing efforts with your bottom-line goals.
What Is Digital Marketing, Really?
Digital marketing refers to online tactics that help you connect with potential customers and grow your brand.
These include:
Search Engine Optimization (SEO): Optimizing your site to show up in search engine results
Content Marketing: Creating blogs, videos, and downloadable guides
Email Marketing: Sending personalized content and offers directly to your list
Social Media Marketing: Engaging your audience across social media platforms
Paid Ads: Investing in platforms like Google Ads or Meta to generate fast visibility
The challenge? Figuring out which of these digital marketing channels actually move the needle in your business.
From Referral-Only to National Visibility: A Real SEO Success Story
Client Spotlight: Jo Hayes, Event Photographer in Charlotte, NC
When Jo first joined the SEO Squad, 80% of her business came through referrals — a familiar story for many small service providers.
Her growth was limited by who knew her, not by who needed her.
But after implementing SEO best practices and optimizing her web presence, Jo’s lead flow flipped.
Now, 80% of her inquiries come from Google — not just from Charlotte, North Carolina, but from event organizers across the country.
“I’m getting found by event planners who are searching for photographers in Charlotte, even though they’re located in other states. It’s completely changed how I book clients.”
This shift didn’t happen through luck.
It came from aligning her content marketing strategy with high-intent keywords, optimizing her site, and learning how to stay relevant in search.
Traffic Alone Isn’t the Goal — Revenue Is
A key mistake business owners make?
Chasing traffic without understanding how it leads to conversions.
Crystal Waddell and SEO expert Alyssa Corso recently discussed this on the Simple and Smart SEO Show podcast:
🎙️ “It's really important to have that connection to revenue in SEO. What are your money keywords — the ones that are actually driving conversions?”
— Alyssa Corso
It’s not enough to rank for “digital marketing tips” if your audience is actually searching for “how to get more leads through SEO.”
Strategic digital marketing means identifying what your audience is really looking for, and positioning your content to match.
What’s Working Right Now in Digital Marketing?
Here’s what’s driving results for SEO Squad members and clients like Jo:
✅ 1. Search-Optimized Content
Use tools like Google Search Console to see what content is losing traffic, and update it before it decays.
As Alyssa shares:
🎙️ “Content decay is the natural decline in traffic after publication. But if you update content strategically, you can increase traffic by up to 55%.”
✅ 2. Smart Keyword Targeting
Focus on transactional keywords (like “event photographer in Charlotte”) to reach people ready to take action.
✅ 3. Local SEO + Google Business Profile
Especially important for service providers — this gets you in front of people searching in your geographic area.
✅ 4. Lead-Generating Email Funnels
Use your blog and free resources to build a list, then convert via email marketing campaigns and automated sequences.
✅ 5. Strategic Social Media
Not random posting — but strategic use of social media channels to build trust and drive traffic to optimized content or offers.
LEVERAGE these channels - and don't feel bad about it!
The SEO Squad: Your Shortcut to Smarter Digital Marketing
The SEO Squad is a weekly, small group membership program that helps you stop guessing and start growing.
Whether you’re starting from scratch or optimizing your existing content, this is the place to get clear on your strategy.
Inside the Squad, you’ll get:
📈 Step-by-step tutorials for SEO and content strategy
💡 Coaching and feedback from Crystal Waddell
🧰 Plug-and-play templates for effective digital marketing
👥 Community support and accountability
🔁 A system for turning blog content into traffic AND conversions
“You don’t need to be an SEO expert. You just need a roadmap and support on your journey. That’s what the SEO Squad gives you.”
— Crystal Waddell
Your Next Step: Join the SEO Squad
If you’re ready to:
✅ Get found by the right people
✅ Create content that drives revenue
✅ Finally understand what works in digital marketing in business —
Then it’s time to join the SEO Squad.
Take control of your digital marketing and start turning traffic into revenue.
TLDR: Quick Digital Marketing Checklist
Here’s how to assess your current marketing strategy:
✅ Is your website optimized for high-intent keywords?
✅ Are you targeting your ideal client at all stages of the funnel?
✅ Do you have a way to track traffic, leads, and conversions?
✅ Are you refreshing your content to stay competitive in search?
✅ Are you creating consistent value across multiple digital channels?
If you answered “no” to any of the above — the SEO Squad can help. Join today!
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