Technology is changing the world every day and it is affecting the career choices of individuals. Before career choices were limited and people used to opt for some basic professions like becoming a doctor, lawyer, architect, engineer etc.
But now apart from these professions, a successful career is supposed to be the one that has technology involved in it. One of the most demanded skill sets in today’s time is digital marketing.
What is digital marketing?
For people who are old-school, the field of digital marketing might sound something alien but it is not. The field is all about promoting services and businesses in the digital world. Digital marketing is similar to what traditional marketing is all about.
A digital marketer creates digital marketing campaigns for the online space which includes all the digital channels like website, email marketing, live chats and social media platforms.
The field has a high career growth and helps you get hired by a marketing agency, by a company or business for their marketing department or even end up doing freelance or consulting work.
Why should you learn digital marketing?
Digital marketing is a very successful career field. As technology is advancing, digital marketing can be used as one of the best platforms for all the marketing activities nowadays. If you are still not convinced as to why you should learn digital marketing, the following reasons will surely make up your mind:
- Digital marketers are highly demanded in the corporate sector and are paid a handsome amount as salary.
- To run the digital marketing department in big companies and businesses, trained digital marketers are needed to come up with the latest and most effective strategies.
- Good digital marketing creates a greater brand strength and image in the market which is why digital marketers are given great value by brands.
- In today’s time, mobile advertising is necessary for brands. In order to capture this space, companies need trained digital marketers and they pay them a market competitive salary.
- The advancements in technology on an everyday basis are increasing the need for businesses and companies to hire a digital marketer to match the standards of the market and come up with better digital marketing strategies.
Apart from these reasons, the growing job market for digital marketers is a great incentive to learn digital marketing. Companies are now focusing their budgets and efforts towards the digital space which is why the recruitment space for digital marketers is in full swing.
Every 4 out of 10 marketing job listings are for digital marketing jobs which shows how much the field is on the rise and why you should learn digital marketing.
What skills do you need to be a digital marketer?
Most people think becoming a digital marketer does not need any specific skills. This is not true, whether you are working for a company or have your own business, you need to have the following skills:
Data Analysis
Digital marketers need to have data analytical skills so that they are able to measure the efficiency and effectiveness of an experiment or strategy.
Strategic Thinking
One of the most essential skills which a digital marketer needs to have is strategic thinking as marketers need to determine which strategy will help a company succeed in accomplishing its goals. A digital marketer extensively studies, designs and creates a marketing strategy which then takes a few weeks or even months to implement.
Understanding of Digital Marketing Techniques and Channels
For a digital marketer, it’s necessary to have the key knowledge of all the online marketing channels and platforms so that he or she can come up with an effective marketing strategy. Effective marketing strategies include email, social media advertising, SEO, PPC and SEM.
Understanding of Marketing Metrics, Funnel and KPIs
Digital marketers need to have a thorough knowledge of business metrics, KPIs and the marketing funnel. Knowing these terms and how to apply them in their job is what differentiates them from lay people.
A good sense of copy writing
A digital marketer needs to have a good sense of copy. By having a good sense of copy we mean they need to establish the voice and tone of the brand which resonates with the target audience.
Expertise in Visual Marketing
A digital marketer needs to have the ability to be updated with the latest visual marketing trends as they have to collaborate with graphic designers to target the audience for social media campaigns, email campaigns and the official website.
Customer and User Experience
Digital marketers need to maintain an enjoyable, intuitive and seamless user experience and customer experience. That is why digital marketers have to have the skill to understand the psyche of their customers so that they meet their expectations.
5 Steps to becoming a successful digital marketer
If you want to boost your career and become a successful digital marketer, there are no shortcuts but by following the steps below you can become a champ in digital marketing:
- Earn a degree
The first step towards becoming a successful digital marketer is getting a degree in digital marketing. There are various digital marketing bootcamps as well as programs on which you can get enrolled and get benefits like constructing a marketing portfolio, obtaining guidance on your career plan and meeting various industry experts.
As compared to digital marketing programs, boot camps are short and realistic courses which are helpful in landing a digital marketing job in the industry. They are short but offer one-on-one tutoring which is very helpful in a proper understanding of the digital marketing concepts.
- Build a portfolio
The second step once you get a certification in digital marketing is to build your marketing portfolio which you can present to your employers. It is a huge advantage when you have a physical portfolio to present to your employers when you are applying for a job.
- Network online and in-person
Networking is very important in the field of digital marketing. The more you interact with experts in digital marketing and other professionals, the more chances you get in the industry. Moreover, you get to learn a lot from the experts themselves and you may land up with great job opportunities as well.
- Create your marketing-specific resume
Having a marketing specific resume is very important as it helps in getting your desired job in your desired field. Employers do not have much time when they are going through the resumes. In this case, if your resume is marketing specific, employers will get impressed by it in just a jiffy and you can get the job easily.
- Look for an internship or entry-level digital marketing jobs
The last step is to look for potential digital marketing manager jobs. We advise you to look for agency and in-house jobs as they pay you quite a handsome salary. If you have enrolled in a digital marketing boot camp or program, you must have spent several months learning, establishing, and researching a portfolio. This would add up in your experience.
Moreover, boot camps help you build a good marketing network which can be helpful in getting your desired job.
Digital marketing is a much needed skill in today’s time when everything is done online. Users are shifting from in-house shopping to online shopping. Moreover, customers are mostly online during the day which means brands need to capture the online space to target their potential customers.
Brands need digital marketers who can come up with effective strategies to capture the online space. Hence, digital marketers are in high demand. It is a great field to build a career nowadays. You can follow the steps mentioned above and become a successful digital marketer and follow your dreams.
