Want to start a career in Digital marketing? Here’s what experts have to say
Digital marketing is a sprawling industry that has become the dominant force in the world of marketing today. Often misconstrued as simply social media promotions and advertising, it encompasses a far wider scope. From email marketing and referral strategies to content creation, search engine optimisation, influencer engagement, and viral campaigns, digital marketing is a multifaceted landscape. Each technique serves a distinct purpose, underpinned by varying strategies. At its core, digital marketing aims to raise awareness about brands, products, and services, leveraging the vast reach of the internet.
Consequently, digital marketing plays a pivotal role in shaping an entity’s online presence, ensuring maximum visibility and engagement. Over the past three decades, the exponential growth of the internet industry has been nothing short of remarkable. The anticipated average expenditure per user in the In-App Advertising sector is estimated to be around $58.99 billion in the year 2023. Smart companies have realised the opportunity to engage with consumers on this platform, leading to an increase in demand for new skilled employees with digital marketing skills.
Reasons to opt for a career in Digital Marketing
Digital marketing has revolutionised the manner in which businesses connect with their target audiences. Here’s why one must consider embarking on a digital marketing career journey:
Limitless Opportunities: The digital world knows no boundaries. As a digital marketer, one can work for a variety of industries, including e-commerce, healthcare, finance, entertainment, and more. This diversity allows one to tailor their career as per their interests.
High Demand: Businesses are actively seeking digital marketing professionals to navigate the complexities of online promotion. This high demand results in a wide range of job opportunities and competitive salaries.
Constant Learning: Digital marketing is a dynamic field that evolves rapidly. Stagnation is virtually impossible, as an individual will be continuously learning about new tools, techniques, and strategies to stay ahead.
Creativity at its Best: Digital marketing offers the perfect platform to unleash innovative ideas. From crafting engaging content to designing eye-catching visuals, one gets the chance to showcase their artistic flair.
Measurable Impact: Unlike traditional marketing, digital marketing enables tracking and measuring the effectiveness of the campaign in real-time. This data-driven approach enables informed decisions and helps in optimising strategies.
Essential Skills for Digital Marketers
To thrive in the world of digital marketing, one needs to possess a diverse set of skills that cater to various aspects of online promotion. Let’s explore seven key skills that experts consider crucial for digital marketers:
Data Analytics and Interpretation: In the digital realm, data is gold. The ability to gather, analyse, and interpret data is essential for understanding consumer behaviour, identifying trends, and optimising marketing campaigns. Proficiency in tools like Google Analytics and data visualisation platforms empowers digital marketers to make informed decisions based on actionable insights.
SEO and SEM: Search Engine Optimisation (SEO) and Search Engine Marketing (SEM) are the cornerstones of driving organic and paid traffic to websites. It enhances a website’s visibility on search engines, resulting in increased organic traffic. Similarly, SEM involves running targeted ads on search engines to boost visibility and drive immediate results.
Content Creation and Marketing: Compelling content lies at the heart of successful digital marketing campaigns. From blog posts, articles to videos and infographics, digital marketers must be adept at creating engaging content that resonates with their target audience. Content marketing not only establishes authority but also fosters meaningful connections with customers.
Social Media Management: Social media platforms have emerged as virtual marketplaces where brands interact directly with consumers. Proficiency in social media management involves devising strategies, creating content calendars, and engaging with followers. Making use of the power of platforms like Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and LinkedIn can significantly amplify brand reach.
Email Marketing: Email marketing remains a potent tool for nurturing leads and driving conversions. Digital marketers need to understand segmentation, crafting persuasive email copy, and analysing campaign performance. Building personalised and engaging email campaigns can yield impressive results.
Marketing Automation: Efficiency is paramount in digital marketing. Marketing automation tools streamline repetitive tasks, such as email scheduling and social media posting. By automating these processes, marketers can focus on high-level strategizing and creative endeavours.
UX design: Prioritising user experience (UX) design holds significant importance for digital marketers. As mobile and voice search gain prominence, it becomes essential to guarantee a smooth and pleasurable user experience across various devices and platforms. Digital marketers need a firm grasp of UX fundamentals, encompassing user studies, information structure, and interaction planning. Enhancing UX enables digital marketers to enhance conversion rates, decrease bounce rates, and nurture enduring customer connections.
Way forward
Digital marketing has been consistently growing, and alongside it, a range of emerging trends are gaining attention. These include the rise of artificial intelligence and machine learning in marketing automation, the increasing importance of improving voice search, the growth of influencer marketing, the use of augmented and virtual reality experiences, and the ongoing development of personalised, data-driven marketing strategies. The path of digital marketing is heading in a positive direction, especially with the expanding presence of social media. Looking ahead, this field has many opportunities, holding potential for those who are ready to explore.
About the author: Sarvesh Agrawal is the Founder & CEO Internshala.com
