Virtual marketing serves as a contrast to traditional advertising methods, such as print and broadcast. Because virtual marketing relies on clicks, impressions, hits, and other data, it can be easier to measure a conversion for an virtual advertisement rather than a print newspaper ad.
Virtual marketing is not necessarily limited to virtual businesses (e.g. Amazon.com), but it is possible to use virtual marketing exclusively, especially for an online business. Someone who sells jewelry on the shopping site Etsy, for example, probably wouldn't place an advertisement in a local paper. Instead, she might use display ads on affiliate websites and a personal blog or a Pinterest account to promote those products.
Several companies, both small and large, rely on virtual marketing strategies to engage with users over the internet. Content marketing -- which includes the creation of blog posts, infographics, games, and other pieces -- helps businesses develop a more recognizable brand online. These methods are often paired with a social media campaign on platforms such as Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest in order to drive traffic to a website or online store. Companies may also utilize email newsletters to keep customers updated on promotions and events.