8 things we learned at the #DIW15 Future of Digital Marketing Conference

Data is easier to come by than ever before. So let’s get better at using it to connect with customers.

Our half-day Delaware Innovation Week Future of Digital Marketing Conference was focused on that: real lessons from actual case studies shared by experienced media professionals from Delaware.
And who says there isn’t a community to do it? Nearly 75 people sat for the event in movie theater-style seats at the Theatre N space inside Wilmington’s Nemours Building, which is the future home of The Mill coworking space. The day was sponsored by JPMorgan Chase and the Encima Group. 1313 Innovation is the title sponsor of #DIW15.
Find the full slides here. Below are a few things we learned, shared via our own tweets:

1. If you’re not the customer, you’re the product: Zach Phillips of the Kitchen

Choosing an app? If it doesn't cost money, then the company is making money on you otherwise: @zachphillips #DIW15 #FODM

— DE Innovation Week (@Dinnovationweek) November 17, 2015

2. Google Tag Manager is a tool as valuable as Google Analytics itself: Anthony Biondo of Biondo Creative

Trying to begin to look more deeply at Google Tag Manager (and search tools)? Check @sengineland says @abiondo #DIW15 #FODM

— DE Innovation Week (@Dinnovationweek) November 17, 2015

3. Your customers make snap decisions about your product and color has everything to do with it: Pauline Rubin of First Ascent Design

People make subconscious judgments on products within 90 seconds, and two-thirds use color alone: @paulinemrubin @fistascentDE #DIW15

— DE Innovation Week (@Dinnovationweek) November 17, 2015

4. Physical collateral (quirky takeaways and evocative branded products) should be a supplement to your digital marketing: Nick Matarese of the Barn

Digital marketing is cluttered. Supplement your web strategy w/ creative physical collateral: @NMatarese #DIW15 pic.twitter.com/plqUlH0dL8

— Technical.ly Delaware (@technicallyDE) November 17, 2015

5. Google and other players are finally taking a serious stand on whether a display ad has been viewed: David Clunes of the Encima Group

Guys, viewability standards are dramatically changing how we evaluate display ad success rates @encimagroup #DIW15 pic.twitter.com/HGCP6ebU1H

— Technical.ly Delaware (@technicallyDE) November 17, 2015

6. Social selling still represents a very small percentage of ecommerce, but it’s growing fast: Justin Silva of the Archer Group

Ecommerce sales from social web (buy buttons!) are still small, but growing: @justinjsilva @thearchergroup #DIW15 pic.twitter.com/rmay4M4c6z

— DE Innovation Week (@Dinnovationweek) November 17, 2015

7. Forget the followers, track the engagement on social: Gaby Indellini of Visit Wilmington

The number of social followers you have doesn't matter nearly as much as engagement: @Gablet23 of @VisitWilmington #DIW15

— DE Innovation Week (@Dinnovationweek) November 17, 2015

8. To start your social web strategy, begin with a single platform: Hendrick Jan-Francke of Bright Orange Thread

Small biz digital marketing first steps? Get on one platform and do it right (minimum of three months): @hfrancke #DIW15

— DE Innovation Week (@Dinnovationweek) November 17, 2015