Disclaimer: Coding is not the substance that rappers often talk about consuming with sprite and jolly ranchers. Coding is the process of assigning a code to something for the purposes of classification or identification. Two hours ago my coding skills were pretty sub-par. I have dipped my toes into it while taking MIS classes at Western Washington University. It is one thing that has always fascinated me. You have the ability to create a web-page by typing in letters, numbers, and symbols behind the scenes (HTML) to create something beautiful. I feel like you automatically impress people when you say that you can code. The response is always like, “wow! That’s impressive!”, or “wow, you must be hella smart”.

Learning how to code is like learning how to speak another language. There are all these different terms like, href  and colspan, like what in the world does that mean? Href sounds like a noise someone would make when they are out of breath. Href actually means hypertext reference, according to Ryan Tomayko. Yeah, mind blown.

Coding is an extremely good skill to have when you are trying to become the Steve Jobs (RIP) of digital marketing. Tech Cocktail wrote an interesting article talking about why coding is such a powerful skill to have when you are a marketer. We have discussed SEO in the past, and I have stressed the importance of it. One way to really use SEO in a beneficial way is to be able to read HTML text. As discussed in past posts, the Google spiders crawl through the internet and they scan HTML text. They are not able to read java script, they can’t watch your cat video, they read HTML. If you are able to code (write HTML) then you can read it too. You will be able to fix flaws, change keywords, and maximize exposure.

I am sure your Mother has told you to never judge a book by its cover. When it comes to a web page, judge a book by its cover. No one is going to take you, or your business seriously if you have an atrocious web page. If you are able to code, then you are able to learn how to create beautiful web pages from the bottom up *Drake’s Started From The Bottom song starts to play*. Side note: have you listened to Drake’s new mix-tape If You Are Reading This Its Too Late? If not, go give it a listen, but first finish reading this blog post because this is going to be the most valuable content that you read all day/ night.

We have discussed email marketing and how it is dead NOT DEAD. There are great services out there like MailChimp that allow you to create e-Newsletters, and “Send Better Email”. But if you want to really excel when it comes to email marketing, learn how to code. I have used MailChimp multiple times in the past, and those templates don’t always work how you want them too. When this happens, your coding skills come in for the rescue like SuperMan. Think about this… if you have a better email campaign… maybe it is compatible on multiple platforms (web, mobile, etc.)… and streamline… you may very well experience more opens, clicks, and higher conversions. This isn’t rocket science, my friend.

Today I went to website by the name of Codecademy. Codecademy is an awesome website that teaches you how to code. I sat down for over 2-hours, and was able to complete 4.5 lessons, which is 33% of the class *Pats myself on the back*. Since I am proud of myself, I am going to list what I learned:

1. HTML Basics
2. How to Build Your Own Webpage
3. HTML Basics II
4. Social Networking Profile
5. & 53% of HTML Basics III

BEFORE

AFTER

I know that I am not a coding expert but when I get this blog off, I am headed right back to Codecademy to finish up what I started. Can you say, “Resume building opportunity!!!”.

Codecademy is very beneficial though. I would recommend it to anyone looking to learn how to code, or sharpen their already coding skills. Go Code or Go Home!!!

Since wanting to expand my knowledge on coding, and make myself seem more reputable as a fellow digital marketing blogger, I read a write-up title, Moore’s Law Is about to Get Weird. I know, with a title like that, you HAVE to find out why its going to get weird. Speaking of weird, Wetware computing was brought up (the only thing slightly weird is the name). Wetware computing is using the concept of neurons and DNA. Cells can be thought as a type of computer, DNA provides information storage, RNA represents input, ribosomes do processing, and proteins form the output. Now imagine taking this concept, and applying it to computers *MIND BLOWN*. Wetware computing can revolutionize the security of people’s credit cards. William Ditto came up with the idea of Chaologix. Ditto has developed a neuron-inspired, chaos-based chip for applications that require a high level of security. Traditional chips embedded in credit cards generate electromagnetic fields and consume power in ways that can make it easy for hackers to steal your information. Chaologix makes it WAY harder, and more secure. Another way they could implement it is through drivers licenses. Last time I went into the DOL they told me to keep my driver’s license in a special sleeve, or else hackers will steal your information. First and foremost, there is no-way I am keeping my driver’s license in a sleeve. That is ridiculous, and like way too inconvenient. Who do they think they are??? Ditto could come through and implement Chaologix into drivers licenses so that everyone’s information is safe.

Chemical Computing was another interesting concept that was brought up in the article. A chemical reaction has inputs (reactants) and outputs (products), and processing happens during the reaction itself. While you may be thinking a lot of reactions are only one direction, which would limit their potential as computers!!! Think again Buddy, a bunch of smart Russian scientists discovered between the years of 1950-1960 a class of chemical reactions called, “BZ reactions”, that move back and forth in time. Chemical computing is used in exploring a large set of possibilities all at once. An example would be finding the shortest route in a maze or city. Chemical computing is still being explored and process improvement is something that is at the top of the list. With that said, it’s pretty slow when it comes to computing but it is getting faster.

You have all heard the term “coding” thrown around, but have you really caught it? I dare you to sit down in front of you computer, laptop, tablet, or cellphone (might be kind of hard tbh), and take a course through Codecademy. You will learn a TON and be able to brag to your friends that you know the fundamentals of coding. Until next time fellow smarketer…