In order to take a more creative approach to this reflection blog of my experience throughout the digital marketing course, I decided to compare my personal thoughts and AI’s contemplation on the same topic. With AI being on the rise, we must learn how to rely on it, rather than make it our replacement. By the end I will incorporate the two texts into one whole, to demonstrate AI’s usefulness not a stand-in po.
Personal opinion
The digital marketing course built upon our previously acquired marketing knowledge and focused on how we can apply that knowledge to digital company outlets. What I appreciated about this course that it gives us a theoretical foundation, but also a chance to apply those skills in real-life practice. Though I have been aware of certain terms, techniques and tools beforehand, but only from the perspective of the consumer. (You can say that I have been victim to some of them). However now I have gained the perspective of the producer.
Thanks to the practical aspects of the course that was possible! What I consume daily as a consumer e.g. social media posts, promotional mail, websites, ads…, I now view differently. I understand how and why things are used. Every detail we consume on those platforms is there for a reason, no matter how insignificant it might be to consumers. Throughout our DM campaign I have realised that as a producer, you cannot overlook the standpoint of a consumer. This can be a challenge as our brand identity can cloud our vison.
The biggest challenge throughout this course, I can say were the websites. I lacked basic knowledge on back-end website development, aside from basic HTML knowledge I possess. For example, SEO and how web analytics are used in order push a company upfront. I realised how simple and virtually small things can cast a huge shadow. For example how one keyword can change a website’s positioning on the search engine.
AI’s thoughts
When tasked the same question, ChatGPT primarily listed the main components of a typical DCCE course. Heavily focused on creating and engaging customer relationships and how those components are used for the mentioned purpose. Overall it underlines that digital marketing is a strategic tool which gives huge benefits when utilised properly. The following is what AI proposed:
Throughout this course and the associated project, my understanding of digital communications and customer engagement has deepened in ways I hadn’t anticipated. Initially, I viewed digital communication primarily as content creation and distribution across various platforms. However, this project taught me that effective digital communication goes far beyond just delivering messages—it’s about creating meaningful, two-way interactions that build trust and long-term relationships.
One key insight I gained is the importance of personalization and data-driven strategies. Before this project, I underestimated how critical customer data is in shaping engagement strategies. Learning how to segment audiences, tailor messaging, and measure performance through analytics opened my eyes to how much more targeted and effective digital campaigns can be when driven by insights rather than assumptions.
The practical application through this project challenged my earlier assumptions that simply being present on digital platforms was enough. I learned that engagement is not just about reach, but about resonance—how well the message aligns with the customer’s needs and values. Working on a real-world campaign pushed me to think strategically, adapt quickly, and measure success through both qualitative and quantitative feedback.
Overall, this experience has transformed my understanding of digital communications from a tactical task to a strategic discipline. It has prepared me to think more holistically about the customer journey, emphasizing value creation at every touchpoint. I now feel more confident in my ability to craft digital strategies that not only reach audiences but truly connect with them.
Combining AI and human experiences
The digital marketing course built upon our previously acquired knowledge about marketing and focused on how we can apply that knowledge to digital company outlets. Throughout its duration I have come to realise that digital marketing goes beyond simply making social media posts, and that all actions or marketers pays mind to the end goal – building loyal customers.
What I appreciated about this course that it gives us a theoretical foundation, but also a chance to apply those skills in real-life practice. Though I have been aware of certain terms, techniques and tools beforehand, but only from the perspective of the consumer. (You can say that I have been victim to some of them). However now I have gained the perspective of the producer. This includes utilising customer data in order to deliver personalised messages and campaigns. DM is not only about assuming what the customer wants, but predicting what they need.
What I consume daily as a consumer e.g. social media posts, promotional mail, websites, ads…, I now view differently. I understand how and why certain elements are used. Every detail we consume on those platforms is there for a reason, no matter how insignificant it might be to consumers. All of these ‘little’ things contribute to a bigger picture in order to resonate and align with consumers. For this reason, as a marketer you cannot overlook the standpoint of a consumer. This can be a challenge as our brand identity can cloud our vison.
The biggest challenge throughout this course, I can say were the websites. I lacked basic knowledge on back-end website development, aside from basic HTML knowledge I possess. For example, SEO and how web analytics are used in order push a company upfront. I realised how simple and virtually small things can cast a huge shadow. Example: how one keyword can change a website’s positioning on the search engine.
The entire course has opened my eyes to the fact that digital marketing stretches far more than social media posts. It is a warzone of its own, and it is by no means easy to win the battle. It has prepared me to think more holistically about the customer journey. Including analysing DM outlets and help create them to further my future business.