As a lover of anything involving strategy, I\u2019m naturally a poker fan. \u00a0I previously wrote how\u00a0internet marketing is like chess\u00a0and today I got to thinking how it\u2019s also like poker.<\/p>\n
Consider that in both\u00a0digital marketing\u00a0and poker:<\/p>\n
Comprehension of data is essential<\/strong><\/p>\n Understanding the odds of hitting your cards for a winning hand (and even understanding the quality of your hand pre-flop) is an essential skill in poker. While on TV they portray poker as constantly fast-paced and emotion-driven \u2013 that\u2019s not what is really happening. They edit out the hours of the players sitting there playing rather mechanically-driven cards.<\/p>\n Similarly, in digital marketing understanding not just how to\u00a0report<\/em>\u00a0data and analytics, but ability to analyze and apply them is critical. In both cases, data-driven decisions are going to yield the best results long term. The odds will always run their course.<\/p>\n Intersection of data and emotion\/creativity<\/strong><\/p>\n Yet it\u2019s not just data that makes up a good card player. \u00a0Nor is it just data that defines a quality digital marketer. \u00a0Data alone is just half the picture \u2013 infusing data with emotion and creativity is where numbers turn into results.<\/p>\n Poker players need to get creative with their game play and switch things up so opponents can\u2019t get a read on them. \u00a0Further, they must artfully disguise their emotions and movements. \u00a0This involves a good degree of creativity and must happen while also remaining conscious of numbers.<\/p>\n Digital marketing is similar in a sense because you always need to sit at the intersection of data and creativity. \u00a0It is creativity that sets web metrics on fire and helps establish\u00a0increasing returns. \u00a0And it\u2019s data that helps refine, guide and even inspire new ideas.<\/p>\n Understanding competition<\/strong><\/p>\n Poker players are able to comprehend their opponents through body language, learning their style and figuring out any\u00a0tells. Similarly, digital marketers should be tracking competitive metrics and paying attention to the strategies and tactics their opponents implement to stay one step ahead of them.<\/p>\n Patience and focus<\/strong><\/p>\n Solid poker playing requires heroic amounts of patience. \u00a0You may wish to splash around with your chips, but in tournament play especially patience can be the element which separates the winners from the losers. \u00a0It takes time to get good hands and win big pots,\u00a0incrementally\u00a0steal blinds with bad hands and move up in ranking.<\/p>\n In digital marketing, patience and\u00a0focus\u00a0are equally vital. \u00a0I noted this in a previous post \u2013\u00a0as your content expands, things get easier. But to reach the point where things are tipping in the right direction patience and focus is required.<\/p>\n Have a strategy, and be able evolve it quickly<\/strong><\/p>\n At any poker table, having a strategy is essential. \u00a0As is shifting the strategy to suit the changing actions and emotional mindsets of opponents. \u00a0It can\u2019t remain static and must evolve with the game.<\/p>\n In digital marketing this is exactly the same. \u00a0If there is one constant of the web, it is change which benefits those who are able to adapt to it fast.<\/p>\n Are you a digital marketer who also plays poker? \u00a0See any other\u00a0parallels?<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" As a lover of anything involving strategy, I\u2019m naturally a poker fan. \u00a0I previously wrote how\u00a0internet marketing is like chess\u00a0and … <\/p>\n