Write@Home
Winter 2015

Technology

designer hand working with laptop computer and digital web disign diagram as concept

The term ‘digital literacy’ is quite new and as many buzzwords has been used plenty of times by so many people. However, not everyone knows the actual meaning of it. So, what is digital literacy? And why is it so important for marketers?

Let’s start from the very beginning. Actually, the term ‘digital literacy’ is so new that it is not included in Merriam-Webster’s Dictionary yet (I usually refer to this one). Even Cambridge Dictionary doesn’t have it listed. I suggest having a closer look.

“Literate” means to be able to read and write. And, as you all know, “digital” is any type of data which consists of digits – digital images, videos, and simply everything on the internet. Now we can say that digital literacy is an ability to understand (view, read, interpret), create (digitally write, draw, record) and transfer (send and receive) data with the help of digital technology and internet. Simple, isn’t it?

It was quite easy when computers first came into our lives. Knowing how to read and type on a computer was good enough proof of your digital literacy. Now – it’s a different story. With the technological development, it is impossible to count the types of digital data we have today on the fingers of both hands. Nobody asks you anymore if you can type and how fast. Everybody just assumes that you are at least a confident user of Microsoft Office, have Skype and know how to Google. The digital world is taking over. No wonder that the first Digital Literacy Day would be established on May 31, 2018. You can follow details of this event by #DLDayTO.

A technologically savvy workforce dictates new rules. To be a successful marketer you need to know not only human languages, but preferably programming. You have to be a confident user of a few collaboration tools, create not only engaging, but SEO-friendly content, know how to analyse and interpret data, and many-many more things. This list is endless.

It is very hard for me to self-evaluate, but I consider myself tech-savvy.

  1. I am a confident user of social media management tools like Hootsuite, SproutSocial, Keyhole, e-mail marketing platforms MailChimp and Intercom. Knowing the basic algorithm helps to adapt to any new platform in the blink of an eye.
  2. For managing digital space (socialia, website, etc) it is important to know how to create engaging content. I usually use Photoshop and other Adobe Creative Cloud applications for image and video content as well as creating blog posts in Wordpress.
  3. And last, but not least is analytics. I have an analytical mindset. It helps to determine the right marketing strategy and see how your current plan works. Google Analytics has been a great help. To complement existing skills, I am taking a Statistics course to be able to enter and interpret data right and a Data Visualisation course to better present findings.

A technologically savvy workforce dictates new rules. To succeed you need to always work on improving your digital literacy level. Lifelong learning is the key. Digital Literacy Day offers a wide range of opportunities to learn something new. I am taking an HTML class this summer. Have a look at the list of events – you will definitely find something to help you grow as a tech-savvy marketer.