TechCulture Staff We sat down with Dario Sipos, a Digital Marketing Strategist, Branding Expert, and author of the highly acclaimed book Digital Retail Marketing. Dario is also a highly sought business columnist and keynote public speaker.
Dario, thank you for taking the time to chat with us; we are super excited! Can you tell us a little about what you do?
My pleasure! I am a Digital Marketing Strategist, Branding Expert, and Author of the book Digital Retail Marketing. I currently serve as Digital Strategist at Expert International – the most significant consumer electronics chain in EU and South Africa, working in 22 countries, with 4000+ stores and a yearly turnover exceeding 16 billion euro. In summary, I help leaders influence positive outcomes in all directions of digital existence, even under the most difficult, changing conditions.
It seems like you have your plate quite full! What inspired you to write your book?
I worked as a digital marketing advisor with business owners and marketing departments, trying to achieve digital transformation at their classical retail establishments. It all started with me writing a few pages of “how-to” manuals after giving lectures on digital transformation. That later turned into articles, and in the end, someone proposed that I write a book. So naturally, I wrote a “Digital Retail Marketing.”
It sounds like a smooth transition! What is your book about?
Digital Retail Marketing is a guide to online content-based marketing specifically written for retailers: why it matters, how to approach it, and start-to-finish steps you can take to implement your content marketing at a very low cost.
Even though the book speaks about Digital Marketing for Retail, its principles are universally applicable to any business that wants to gain a larger share of online influence and sales.
Fascinating! What was the overall feedback been from your readers regarding your book?
It was quite positive. I was surprised by the feedback and success of the book in certain regions of the USA and the Middle East. What I try to insist on in the book is to keep digital marketing simple, with minimal costs, and avoid paying for internet ads as much as possible. That is well accepted, as you can imagine, especially from the business owners, that traditionally prefer to keep costs low.
Well, I just learned something new! Are you planning to adapt the book to different markets?
Actually, I believe that knowledge inside the book applies to any market, so customization is unnecessary. The only real market differences are between the social networking sites and the technology used, while the principles of digital marketing remain the same.
Nevertheless, the book is being translated into several languages as we speak. For example, I was quite surprised by the interest from the Middle East, so one of the leading marketing agencies, Badkoobeh from Tehran, even translated books for their markets.
It sounds like it is a global hit! Who should read your book?
Digital Retail Marketing is a must-read for every revenue-driven retail executive, manager, and marketeer who is serious about growing their business.
It is for anyone that wants to learn how to market with low costs and high effectiveness for their products no matter the size of their business.
I might have to get a copy for myself! What is the next project you are working on?
I am just finishing a book on Personal Branding in the Digital World. The idea is to explain to readers the “why” and the “how” related to their personal digital branding, as it can bring in numerous benefits in both their business and personal lives.
A good sequel topic, that’s for sure! What advice would you give to someone who wants to learn the ins and outs of Digital Marketing?
Start small, do not hire digital marketing agencies before learning about digital marketing as much as possible. Base your digital marketing efforts on non-paid content marketing because it will later create a long-term foundation for your efforts.
Great advice! Dario, thank you so much for your time today! Where can readers learn more about you and your work?
My pleasure, thank you for having me! You can learn more about me on my personal website and the Digital Retail Marketing site. Readers can also connect with me on LinkedIn, and those interested can find a copy of my current book on Amazon.
