Holistic Digital Marketing that Works: George Arabian

Beyond SEO: The Seven Stages of Marketing Success How Perception Shapes Marketing (More Than Facts Do)

Episode 244 (George is based in the Toronto area)

In this conversation we explore:

• The concept of holistic digital marketing and how it differs from traditional marketing approaches.
• The seven stages of the customer journey and why businesses should focus beyond conversion.
• The role of client advocacy and how turning customers into brand ambassadors reduces acquisition costs.
• Why marketing is both an art and a science and how to balance creativity with data-driven decisions.
• Common mistakes businesses make in marketing and how to align strategies with business goals.
• How AI is changing digital marketing and why human creativity still matters.
• The importance of emotional triggers in marketing and how psychology influences buying decisions.
• The power of perception in marketing and why it can be more influential than facts.
• The pitfalls of generic outreach and how personalized messaging improves response rates.
• How to design a marketing strategy that starts with outcomes rather than tactics.

About our guest, George Arabian:

George has over 25 years experience in marketing starting with his first website in 1996 when the Internet was in it's infancy.

George is the founder and CEO of NVISION, one of Canada's top digital marketing agencies. NVISION is known for combining consulting and executive while focusing on lead generation and brand awareness for mid-market B2B clients in manufacturing, professional services and technology.

Learn more about NVISION here  https://nvision.co/

Follow George Arabian on Linkedin here https://www.linkedin.com/in/georgearabian/

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Key Learning Points

1. Holistic Digital Marketing Defined

   • Goes beyond omnichannel strategies to focus on the full customer journey.
   • Involves digital touchpoints that engage prospects from awareness to advocacy.

2. The Seven Stages of the Customer Journey

   • Awareness → Consideration → Conversion → Engagement → Adoption → Retention → Advocacy.
   • Many businesses stop at conversion, missing out on advocacy benefits.

3. The Power of Client Advocacy

   • The best customers are those who promote you.
   • Encouraging referrals and testimonials lowers acquisition costs.

4. Marketing is Both Art and Science

   • Science: Understanding algorithms, analytics, and user behavior.
   • Art: Crafting compelling messages, visuals, and emotional appeals.

5. Why Most Businesses Don’t Know If Their Marketing Works

   • Many invest in tactics without tracking real business outcomes.
   • Successful marketing must align with company goals, not just vanity metrics.

6. AI’s Role in Digital Marketing

   • AI is a tool, not a replacement for authentic messaging.
   • It can enhance efficiency but lacks human creativity and emotional depth.

7. Emotional Triggers Drive Marketing Success

   • People buy based on emotions, not logic.
   • Using words and imagery that resonate with customers increases engagement.

8. Personalization and Perception Matter More Than Facts

   • The way customers feel about a brand determines loyalty more than product specs.
   • Example: Converse sending personalized birthday discounts builds advocacy.

9. The Pitfalls of Generic Outreach

   • Cold, AI-generated LinkedIn messages and impersonal pitches fail.
   • Authenticity and research in outreach make a difference.

10. Marketing Should Start with Ou