Imagine running your small business from a handful of customers to a local sensation, all without a fancy office, or a massive advertising budget. For aspiring entrepreneurs who just started the business after returning to the Philippines, Digital Marketing is a powerful tool you can use to reach more customers, expand and thrive in your business. This blog will explain what exactly Digital Marketing is, the lifecycle marketing model with 4 stages you need to be aware of, and 4 digital marketing techniques you can execute - so that you can easily promote and market your business.

What is Digital Marketing?

Digital Marketing is simply a method to reach potential customers online.

Whether you run a food stall, sell handmade crafts, or offer services, digital marketing helps you promote your business and reach potential customers. However, there are a few common myths we should clear up first:

• It’s NOT just social media – it goes far beyond posting updates.
• It’s NOT a replacement for in-person sales – the two work together.
• It’s NOT expensive – many powerful tools are completely free.
• It’s NOT only for online businesses – brick-and-mortar stores benefit too.
• It’s NOT just advertising – it’s about building relationships, not just pushing ads.

Today, customers are everywhere online. Therefore, having a digital presence of your business is no longer an option but is an essential.

The Lifecycle Marketing Model

However, successful marketing isn’t just a one-time action—-it’s an ongoing journey with your customers. Simply think of it as a lifecycle journey with four key stages:

 #1 Reach – How new customers discover you for the first time.

#2 Act – How you spark their interest and encourage them to learn more.

#3 Convert – How you turn interested followers into paying customers.

#4 Engage – How you build loyalty and keep them coming back.

By understanding these four key stages throughout the journey, you can use the right marketing strategies at the right time. And, digital marketing techniques also exist across all four stages. Below, we will break down four easy digital marketing techniques and tools — one for each stage —- that you can easily execute using your mobile phone.

1. Website Marketing - To Reach and be Found

A simple website can help people discover your business online anytime. It is where people go to learn about your business and your products. Unlike a social media page, a website gives you full control over how you present and display information about your business.

To execute this technique, you can use mobile-friendly apps like Canva and a free, drag-and-drop website builder like Weebly to create a simple business website. It is easy to create a website and build an e-commerce store to sell your products by using these free tools but keep in mind that it is also important to keep your website simple and mobile-friendly then share it on your social media pages to reach more people.

2. Social Media Marketing - Turn Followers into Customers

Social media is where you turn your target audience to your customers. By posting engaging content, you can make your followers act and make a purchase.

You can use Meta Business Suite to manage your social media page and study marketing metrics. With this tool, you can schedule posts, create ads, and track what types of content your audience engages with most. Don’t forget that it is important to post consistently with hashtags and maintain engagement to keep engaging with your followers.

3. Affiliate Marketing - Get Others to Promote

Affiliate marketing lets you partner with people in your community (micro-influencers, friends, or even loyal customers) to promote your business  by sharing discount codes or links. You just need to create codes for each of your affiliates to exchange for commission.

We recommend using Facebook to execute this technique which is the go-to social media platform used by most of the influencers and online users in the Philippines. You can easily launch an affiliate campaign, create a business page, and promote the shared codes on Facebook. In this way, you will be able to build deep relationships with your affiliates. 

4. SMS Marketing - Keep Customers coming back

Keeping existing customers is just as important as attracting new ones. It is key to maintain marketing efforts with your existing customers and you can use SMS marketing to stay connected with them. This technique lets you stay connected through personalized messages, special offers, and updates—making customers feel valued and encouraging repeat business.

You can use tools like Messenger and WhatsApp that are the top messaging platforms in the Philippines to personally reach and communicate with your customers. However, be reminded to keep your messages short and actionable so that customers don’t feel annoyed and want to re-engage with your business.

Bringing it all together: Your Digital Marketing Plan

By understanding the above four key stages in the customer journey with four techniques and tools, you can start executing your digital marketing journey to promote your business. However, you don’t need to master every technique and tool at once. The key is to develop a digital marketing strategy that fits the needs of your customers the most. 

You can start by asking:

• Where do my customers spend time online?
• What kind of content do they enjoy?
• Which of the 4 techniques above will be easiest for me to start with?

After that, try to focus on investing meaningful attention into 2–3 well-planned tools instead of spreading little effort into 20+ tools . Remember: consistency and understanding your audience are what turn effort into results.

Create Your Digital Marketing Journey with Expert Guidance

The world of marketing can sometimes feel too large to understand. Creating a digital marketing strategy can be stressful and time-consuming without the further guidance from a local business expert. Consider joining a HelpBridge course or bootcamp to learn the complete marketing essentials and other entrepreneurship skills to boost your confidence in running a business. Our business courses are designed for migrant domestic workers and provide detailed examples and case studies easily understood by OFWs. Our students have gone on to create successful digital marketing strategies to boost their business online and reach customers.

Let's get closer to your dream business! Explore our courses here.