Digital Marketing: What Is The True Definition
What Is Digital Marketing Really? (Hint: You Might Already Be Doing It)
Hey there! I’m Heidy De La Cruz — podcast host, online business coach, and speaker. If you’re reading this, there’s a good chance you’ve heard the phrase digital marketing floating around online. Maybe it was tied to those master resale rights courses, or perhaps someone told you it’s the key to building an online business.
But here’s the truth: digital marketing is so much more than reselling someone else’s product. In fact, if you’ve ever posted your business on social media, written a blog, or even launched a podcast… you’re already a digital marketer. Let’s get into it.
Why I’m Talking About This
When I launched Digital Marketing 101 for Latinas podcast, I knew I wanted to create a space to educate and empower Latinas who want to start online businesses. In this second episode, I took a step back to ask: What even is digital marketing?
Because for a while, I thought it was all about selling someone else’s course with a fancy affiliate link. That’s the narrative I kept seeing online. However, the more I delved into it and examined my own journey, the more I realized how much of a digital marketer I already was.
The Real Definition of Digital Marketing
I turned to AI tools to help clarify it all — Gemini by Google and my favorite assistant, ChatGPT (who knows me very well at this point 😅).
Here’s how Gemini defined it:
"Digital marketing is a broad term for the component of marketing that uses the internet and digital technologies to promote products and services... It includes SEO, content marketing, social media marketing, email marketing, affiliate marketing, and more."
And here’s what ChatGPT said when I asked if I was a digital marketer based on everything I’ve done:
“You are actively applying digital marketing strategies, which makes you a digital marketer in function, if not in title.”
That hit me hard. Because I’ve been doing this work for over a decade and I bet some of you have, too — without ever calling it what it is.
How I’ve Been Using Digital Marketing for Years
Let me give you a quick rundown:
2014: Launched my first blog as a personal journal — started learning about SEO without even realizing it
2019: Began freelance writing and offering blog content to clients
2020-2021: Sold digital products (SEO guides, podcast resources), and created printable + physical journals on Amazon
2022: Launched The American Dream in The Eyes of Immigrants podcast
Now: I coach Latinas on launching their own podcasts and starting their online businesses
I’ve marketed my blogs, promoted my podcast episodes, grown my email list, and created and sold digital products — all online. That’s digital marketing in action.
My First Digital Product
Before I even knew what digital marketing was, I created an Introduction to SEO guide. I used it to teach people how to structure blog posts, optimize content, and improve their search engine visibility. I even offered SEO audits and blog-writing services — and yes, that was my first official dive into the digital product world.
Since then, I’ve created:
A podcast launch ebook
A full podcast course
A podcast starter kit
Printable and physical journals
My poetry book
This podcast and blog!
Why This Matters for You
I’m sharing this because I know many of you are out there doing the work — creating content, building your platforms, testing new things — and not realizing you’re already a digital marketer.
You don’t need permission.
You don’t need a certificate.
And you definitely don’t need to resell someone else’s course to claim the title.
If you're using the internet to build a brand, grow a business, or share your story — you are using digital marketing.
Final Thoughts
I created Digital Marketing 101 for Latinas because I want to normalize this journey for women like us. Women who are breaking cycles, building online businesses, and carving out new paths.
Whether you’re a podcaster, a content creator, or just starting to figure it out — I’m here to guide you with transparency, real experience, and no gatekeeping.
💻 Want to Learn More?
Grab my Digital Marketing 101 Mini-Course to find your perfect strategy
Download the Start Your Online Business Checklist for Latinas
Subscribe to my email list so you never miss an episode
Let’s keep learning, growing, and building — juntas. 💪🏽💻✨
