The Complete Guide to Digital Marketing · Channels

What Is Social Media Marketing? Channels Explained

Social is one channel among several. Here is what social media marketing is, plus email, influencer, video and podcast marketing explained, and how a small business chooses between them.

Updated: July 2026
Written by: Andrew Odgers, Managing Director
Reading time: 8 minutes
The short answer

Social media marketing is promoting a business through platforms like Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn, using posts, video and paid ads to reach and engage an audience. Email marketing sends targeted messages to people who shared their address. Influencer marketing partners with people whose audiences trust them. Video and podcast marketing use engaging video and audio formats. A small business chooses channels by where its customers spend time, what it can sustain, and its goals and budget, rather than trying to be everywhere. One or two channels done well usually beats spreading too thin.

The channel most people know

What social media marketing is, and email marketing

Social media marketing is promoting a business through platforms like Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn, using posts, stories, videos and paid ads to reach and engage an audience and drive them towards your products or services. It combines organic content with the option of paid promotion; because social platforms are where many people spend time and discover businesses, social media marketing is a core channel for building awareness and engagement, and it is one of the things we manage as a service, which you can ask about via our contact page. Email marketing is sending targeted messages to people who have shared their email address, such as newsletters, offers and updates, to build relationships and encourage repeat business. Because you own your email list rather than renting an audience from a platform, it is one of the more direct and reliable channels; because it reaches people who already know you, email marketing is often among the most cost-effective channels when used well.

CH 01

Social and email

Reach and own your audience.

CH 02

Influencer

Borrow trusted reach.

CH 03

Video and podcast

Engaging formats over time.

Influencer, video, podcast and choosing

Influencer, video and podcast marketing, and choosing between channels

Influencer marketing is partnering with people who have an engaged audience, so they promote your product or service to followers who trust their recommendations. It borrows the credibility and reach of the influencer; because trust transfers from the influencer to the brand, influencer marketing can be effective when the partner genuinely fits your audience, though results vary and should be tracked. Video marketing uses video content, on social, websites or video platforms, to explain, demonstrate or entertain, while podcast marketing uses audio shows to reach listeners through episodes or sponsorships. Both suit storytelling and building a deeper connection over time; because video and audio are engaging formats that people increasingly consume, they can be valuable channels when they fit your audience and you can sustain them. A small business chooses between channels by looking at where its customers spend time, what it can realistically produce and sustain, and which channels fit its goals and budget, rather than trying to be everywhere at once. Starting with one or two channels done well usually beats spreading too thin, which is a decision your budget helps make; because attention and budget are limited, focusing on the channels that best reach your audience is more effective than covering them all.

SEO done properly, from £350 a month

Social and more,
handled for you.

Choosing and running the right channels takes time most owners do not have. Your plan includes managed Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn alongside your wider marketing, so the channels that fit your audience are handled consistently rather than left to chance.

Everything included in your plan:

Google Maps optimisation Full website management Local SEO campaign AI optimisation (GEO) Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn Quarterly audits Monthly reporting
£350 per month

One clear retainer. No setup fee.

Frequently asked

Social media marketing and channels

What is social media marketing?
Social media marketing is promoting a business through platforms like Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn, using posts, stories, videos and paid ads to reach and engage an audience and drive them towards your products or services. It combines organic content with the option of paid promotion. Because social platforms are where many people spend time and discover businesses, social media marketing is a core channel for building awareness and engagement.
What is email marketing?
Email marketing is sending targeted messages to people who have shared their email address, such as newsletters, offers and updates, to build relationships and encourage repeat business. Because you own your email list rather than renting an audience from a platform, it is one of the more direct and reliable channels. Because it reaches people who already know you, email marketing is often among the most cost-effective channels when used well.
What is influencer marketing?
Influencer marketing is partnering with people who have an engaged audience, so they promote your product or service to followers who trust their recommendations. It borrows the credibility and reach of the influencer. Because trust transfers from the influencer to the brand, influencer marketing can be effective when the partner genuinely fits your audience, though results vary and should be tracked.
What are video and podcast marketing?
Video marketing uses video content, on social, websites or video platforms, to explain, demonstrate or entertain, while podcast marketing uses audio shows to reach listeners through episodes or sponsorships. Both suit storytelling and building a deeper connection over time. Because video and audio are engaging formats that people increasingly consume, they can be valuable channels when they fit your audience and you can sustain them.
How does a small business choose between channels?
A small business chooses channels by looking at where its customers spend time, what it can realistically produce and sustain, and which channels fit its goals and budget, rather than trying to be everywhere at once. Starting with one or two channels done well usually beats spreading too thin. Because attention and budget are limited, focusing on the channels that best reach your audience is more effective than covering them all.