How to Use Marketing Resources To Grow Your Business in 2023

Updated by Tara Malone

If you’re like most online business owners and entrepreneurs, you spend a lot of time thinking about how to gain more traffic, have greater reach, and bring in new leads on a consistent basis.

To get answers to these questions, you turn to countless online experts, only to get totally overwhelmed by all the marketing advice out there.

You barely have time to read all the articles and guides you’ve acquired, let only apply these marketing techniques to your business.

If you can relate to this situation, know that you’re not alone. Most business owners and entrepreneurs with a growing business go through it.

The trick is to resist the urge to consume all the marketing resources out there, and to only focus on the ones that are actually relevant to your business.

In this article, you’ll discover the different types of marketing resources available to you and learn how to use them to improve your marketing strategy and scale your business.

Let’s get started!

Digital Marketing Resources vs. Content Marketing Resources

We’ll focus on two main types of marketing resources in this article:

1. Digital Marketing Resources
2. Content Marketing Resources

Both are similar but different in their own right. It’s important you appreciate these differences, as you’ll need specific resources based on your business and situation.

Content marketing focuses on the creation of content such as blog posts, podcasts, videos, and email funnels.

While digital marketing includes tactics like SEO and running online ads.

These types of marketing resources align with one another perfectly, and it’s almost certain you’ll need both. But sometimes you’ll need marketing resources that focus on content, and other times resources that go beyond content creation.

Throughout the rest of this article, we’ll make it clear whether an example focuses on content marketing, digital marketing, or both. The difference is often subtle, but once you know how to use each one effectively, you’ll get a lot more out of the marketing resources you use.

With that said, let’s dive in by focusing on the main types of marketing resources available to you.

8 Main Types of Marketing Resources

There are many types of marketing resources available. If we were to dive into each specific type, we’d soon create a list in the dozens. We don’t want to overwhelm you, so instead we’re focusing on 8 main types:

1. Blogs
2. Guides
3. Books
4. Infographics
5. Podcasts / Videos
6. Social Media Groups / Online Challenges
7. Webinars / Trainings
8. Online Courses

Each type of resource has its own benefits. Most will be relevant to you as a business owner, but only at certain times depending on budget, what you’re learning about, and the time available.

Now let’s dive into the main types of marketing resources.

1. Blogs

Following a select few blogs is a great way of staying up-to-date with new trends, methods, and tactics. They’re often a low investment of time (10 to 15 minutes per article), and provide practical examples and links to other relevant marketing resources.

As a blog post like this one does, it often lays a foundation with the option to go deeper into a topic.

2. Guides

A guide is like a blog post with superpowers, going deeper into a specific topic. It requires a greater time investment (30+ minutes), but remains practical and relevant like a blog post. A guide also typically links to other marketing resources.

If you find a business or influencer you like, committing to one of their guides is a great way to test their content and build greater trust with them.

3. Books

A book is one of the most time-consuming marketing resources available, often taking upwards of 10 hours of your time. They go deep into a topic, but allow you to master a subject.

4. Infographics

Some people are visual learners. If this is you, an infographic could become your new go-to marketing resource. Like a blog post, they lay a foundation for you to go deeper and often link to other resources.

They’re quick and digestible, and unlike a blog post, you can print them off and stick them on your wall as a visual reminder each day.

5: Podcasts / Videos

As with infographics, podcasts and videos are perfect for certain people. A podcast is great on the go, as you can listen while driving, walking, or even during your workout. Now, there are more marketing podcasts than ever, from SEO podcasts to podcasts exclusively for B2B marketing. A video requires more of your attention but is still a low burden resource you can digest easily.

Depending on what you’re learning, having a visual walk-through is valuable.

6: Social Media Groups / Online Challenges

A growing trend, more businesses and thought-leaders are using social media groups and online challenges to share their content. This type of marketing resource provides a level of interaction the others do not.

You get to interact with the “expert” and other members on the same journey as you. This approach also allows you to digest content over time, focusing on different aspects each day.

7: Webinars / Trainings

This is another marketing resource that provides greater interaction than others, especially if it’s a live training, call, or webinar. During a webinar, you can often learn all the basics of a topic in under one hour.

And with the ability to ask questions, you get immediate feedback and the chance to dive deeper.

8: Online Courses

The final marketing resource are online courses. An online course often involves all of the above, to some degree. 

They’re an amazing marketing resource if you learn best with a structured process laid out in front of you. They provide a selection of resources, ranging from videos, audios, interviews, live masterclasses, workbooks, and practical guides.

If you want to go deep into a subject, an online course is often the best route to take.

How to Use Online Marketing Resources

Although it’s important to know which marketing resources you should choose, it’s more important to learn how to effectively use them. This not only saves you time but helps you produce greater results.

Here’s a simple process you can follow to use any kind of online marketing resource effectively.

1. Be Selective With Your Marketing Resources

No matter where you are on your journey, everyone gets the same batch of 1,440 minutes each day.

Each day, you’re given the same amount of time as Bill Gates.

It may seem like a lot of time, but when you take into account eating, sleeping, and tackling all those other daily tasks you have to do…well, it’s not that long. There aren’t many business owners who complain about having too much time on their hands. Yet not having enough is a common pain.

The thing is, we all have the same amount of time. So, how do some people get more out of it than others?

Delegation plays a role, that’s for sure.

But an equally important part of the process is to commit to less.

This is most apparent when it comes to consuming and digesting content. 

One of the biggest differences between an established business owner and a new entrepreneur is that the person at the start of their journey tries to follow everyone. They read one book after another, buy multiple online courses, and subscribe to countless YouTube channels and podcasts.

And they spend more time following other people on social media than creating their own content.

It’s understandable. 

After all, in the beginning, you have a lot to learn.

But following more people and consuming more-more-more doesn’t help you. It just leads to more facts and ideas in your head, but no time to do anything with them.

It’s important that you are selective with your marketing resources so you can go deep with what matters most.

2. Go Deep With Active Learning

This leads us to the second part of this process: Go Deep!

Consuming content means nothing unless you do something with what you learn. This is where Active Learning comes into play.

What is Active Learning?

It’s the inclusion of activity that engages a student, and that goes beyond reading, watching, or listening. For instance, you will learn more (and more effectively) by taking notes while reading a book. You’ll also get more from an online course if you take action after each lesson (and complete every assignment).

This transforms learning into doing.

But it’s hard to do if you try to learn too much.

This is why you need to commit to less, so you can learn more deeply. There are so many marketing resources available to you, and the list grows each day. 

You need to say no to most of it, so you can properly say yes to the resources that matter.

3. Filter Out the Noise

No matter what you’re learning, you need to be a filter that sets high standards.

For instance, everyone may rave about a new book or an online course you just have to take. Your colleagues may suggest you follow a marketing expert like Gary V, Billy Gene, or Amy Porterfield.

Maybe they’re right.

But maybe not.

At all times you have to ask: is this right for me, my business, and my audience?

While writing this, Tik-Tok seems to be the biggest “must-have” social media platform of the moment. You might think you should be marketing on Tik-Tok as well. But first, ask yourself the following questions:

• Is this right for me and my daily batch of 1,440 minutes?
• Is it right for my business and the type of work I do?
• And is this where my ideal clients and customers are?

You have to filter everything you consume and relate it all to you, your business, and your audience. This is especially true for marketing resources because you’ll spend so much of your time thinking about it.

It’s important to choose only a few to consume. And even when you do find some great resources, question everything you learn.

4. Create a Practical Plan

Once you build a list of practical and relevant marketing resources, it’s important you create a plan for what comes next.

• What’s the most important aspect you should learn about first?
• How do you best learn?
• When do you learn best?
• Can you commit to this daily, or only a few days each week?

Everyone is different. Your situation differs from another person’s. It’s important to create a plan that works for you.

This may be the most important part of the whole process.

Because it’s here where active learning takes place.

You already know how life takes on a life of its own. You start with good intentions, but then other commitments come up. So you end up reading and watching, but not taking any action.

A few months later you stop and ask yourself: what have I actually learned?

A plan helps overcome this because a plan creates intention; it forms a commitment.

You don’t need a detailed plan, but you do need to know what comes next.

5. Take Action

The final part of this process is to act.

• Read the marketing resources you’ve highlighted.
• Follow the experts most relevant to you.
• Purchase that online course and complete your enrollment.
• Watch the video…listen to the podcast…take the online challenge!

At all times, keep active learning at the center of what you do. Don’t overcommit and try to do too much.

Give the marketing resources you choose the time they deserve. After all, only the best, most relevant content made it on your list. With the right attention, it could help you a lot.

This process applies to all your learning. Whether you’re specifically learning a new skill/method/trend, or want to keep up with the best marketing resources each day, this 5-step process ensures you get the most out of each resource you consume.

We’ll finish this article with a list of marketing resources we believe will help you get what you need. Research them all and filter out the ones that don’t hit the mark.

The Top 10 Marketing Resources for Online Marketers

Not everything on this list of marketing resources will apply to you and your business. But when it comes to content and digital marketing resources that go deep into practical topics, all 10 of these hit the mark.

We recommend you spend 5 to 10 minutes researching each, deciding whether it’s a good fit for you.

Let’s dive in, starting with one of the most comprehensive marketing resource hubs online.

1. HubSpot

• Who it’s for: Marketers and Business Owners
• What you will learn: Content Marketing and Digital Marketing
• Types of Marketing Resources available: Blog, Guides, Books, Infographics, Webinars, and Online Courses

Hubspot provides one of the most comprehensive lists of marketing resources available online. As a business, they specialize in inbound marketing, CRM systems, and sales processes. Yet their content goes way beyond this, beginning with their detailed blog posts and extending to guides, webinars, and online courses

We recommend: The HubSpot Blog’s 2023 Marketing Strategy & Trends Report: Data from 1,200+ Global Marketers

2. Copyblogger

• Who it’s for: Content Marketers, Writers, Bloggers, and Copywriters
• What you will learn: Content Marketing
• Types of Marketing Resources available: Blog, Guides, Webinars, and Online Courses

Copyblogger provides another comprehensive list of marketing resources, tending to focus more on content marketing, blogging, and writing. In addition to a blog that produces in-depth articles, Copyblogger produces guides and trainings that help you dive deeper into specific topics.

We recommend: Email Marketing: Smart Software that Empowers You to Push Send and Grow Your Business

3. Wordstream

• Who it’s for: Online Advertisers, Copywriters, and Online Ad Experts
• What you will learn: Digital Marketing
• Types of Marketing Resources available: Blog, Guides, Webinars, and Online Courses

Another platform with a comprehensive list of digital marketing resources, Wordstream focuses on all things online advertising (PPC, Facebook Ads, SEO, etc). Their blog provides great content, but it’s the PPC University where many of its best resources live.

We recommend: I Spent $10 M+ on Google & Facebook Ads—Here’s What I Learned

4. Search Engine Land

• Who it’s for: SEO Experts, Business Owners, and Content Marketers
• What you will learn: Digital Marketing and Content Marketing
• Types of Marketing Resources available: Blog, Guides, Webinars, and Online Courses

This is one of the go-to platforms for those who rely on SEO and search engines for their marketing. It dives deep into the various elements of SEO (local, mobile, SEM) as well as each individual search engine (Google, Bing, Yahoo). It provides more than most businesses need, but depending on yours it may become one of the most important digital marketing resources around.

We recommend: The SEO Periodic Table

5. Backlinko

• Who it’s for: SEO Experts, Business Owners, Copywriters, and Content Marketers
• What you will learn: Digital Marketing and Content Marketing
• Types of Marketing Resources available: Blog, Guides, Infographics, Webinars, and Videos

Brian Dean doesn’t produce a lot of marketing resources, but the ones he does go deeper than almost any other resource online. His less is more approach often provides everything you need from a single resource. He’s at the forefront of SEO and is considered one of the main influencers in the industry.

We recommend: LINK BUILDING FOR SEO: The Definitive Guide (2022)

6. MOZ

• Who it’s for: SEO Experts, Business Owners, and Content Marketers
• What you will learn: Digital Marketing
• Types of Marketing Resources available: Blog, Guides, Infographics, Webinars, and Online Courses

Moz has become one of the go-to lists of digital marketing resources that specialize in SEO. A lot of their content leans into social media and content marketing, not just through their blog but guides and training.

We recommend: The 60 Best Free SEO Tools [100% Free]

7. Social Media Examiner

• Who it’s for: Marketers, Social Media Experts, Influencers, and Business Owners
• What you will learn: Digital Marketing
• Types of Marketing Resources available: Blog, Guides, Books, Webinars, Podcasts, Videos, and Online Courses

If you need insight into a certain social media platform, look no further than Michael Stelzner and his team. Through their blog, podcast, and list of guides and training manuals, Social Media Examiner offers one of the best lists of marketing resources for those leveraging social media.

We recommend: The Guide to Social Media Marketing For Businesses

8. MarketingProfs

• Who it’s for: Marketers and Business Owners
• What you will learn: Digital Marketing and Content Marketing
• Types of Marketing Resources available: Blog, Guides, Books, Infographics, Webinars, and Online Courses

Marketing Profs possibly provides the most comprehensive list of marketing resources in this article. It covers the full spectrum of marketing, including social media, PR, strategy, content marketing, copywriting, branding, and advertising.

We recommend: The Marketer’s Guide to Social Media Content

9. Neil Patel

• Who it’s for: Online Marketers, Influencers, and Entrepreneurs
• What you will learn: Digital Marketing
• Types of Marketing Resources available: Blog, Guides, Books, Infographics, Webinars, Videos, Podcasts, and Online Courses

When it comes to Online Marketing, Neil Patel is one of the most influential experts around. He’s a prolific content creator, from articles to videos, guides, and tools. He often specializes in SEO and search engine marketing but covers most of the topics that fall under digital marketing.

We recommend: My 6-Step Content Marketing Formula That Drives 3,549 Visitors

10. Content Marketing Institute

• Who it’s for: Content Marketers
• What you will learn: Content Marketing
• Types of Marketing Resources available: Blog, Guides, Books, Infographics, Webinars, Videos, Podcasts, and Online Courses

If you’re learning about content marketing, the Content Marketing Institute is all you need. Through articles, eBooks, videos, online courses, and whitepapers, it’s one of the most detailed lists of marketing resources for content creators.

We recommend: 7 Steps to Creating Your Content Marketing Channel Plan

Ready to Use Marketing Resources the Right Way?

Marketing almost surely plays a large role in your life. With more consistent, automated traffic and leads, you free up more of your time so you can focus on growing your business.

To truly make the most of the marketing resources you consume and use them to scale your business, set aside time to build a carefully curated list of marketing resources.

We suggest you begin by researching the list of marketing resources we’ve shared here. Highlight the ones most relevant to you, and use this list as a foundation to find other experts.

From there, create a plan and then act on it.

The sooner you do, the less you’ll feel like the content you consume is a waste of time. It will no longer overwhelm you, and instead, give you what you need to grow and scale your business.

With this in mind, we invite you to include Mirasee on your go-to list of marketing resources. Click the button below to join our community, where we’ll keep you up-to-date with our best and most recent content.