The Skills You Need
to Start a Career in Digital Marketing
Marketing Skills
Digital marketing as a career option is one of the fastest-growing spheres worldwide. Getting a job and working in this field is an incredible opportunity to work hours that fit in with your personal schedule. You will be able to earn excellent wages and work with clients from across the world. However, the best benefit is that you don’t need extensive training and credentials to get started in this field.
The ability to learn on the job is a prerequisite for working as a digital marketer. A comprehensive portfolio of successful outcomes is more likely to impress recruiters than a bunch of degrees.
Ready to explore the skills to start a career in internet marketing?
The digital marketing sphere is projected to grow by 9% by 2024, with at least 20,000 new jobs becoming available. Employers would prefer to hire fresh talent with innovative approaches to assist them in building an online presence.
You Can Choose Jobs that Match Your Talents and Aptitude
The exciting thing about digital marketing is that, unlike traditional marketing, you won’t acquire degrees and credentials and then have to start looking for a position. With the assistance of a mentor, you’ll identify your talents and aptitude and choose the sphere where you can apply them. For instance, you’ll select content marketing if you can write compelling copy such as blogs, articles, eBooks, email campaigns, and web content. In contrast, if you’re good at creating media, search for positions requiring infographic, video, and podcast creation.
Get Training in Related Areas as Your Experience Improves
As your experience levels improve, you can specialize in related areas to provide more comprehensive services to your clients.
To go with the earlier example, copywriters can train in Search Engine Optimization (SEO) and learn how to infuse keywords in their content for better page ranking. They’ll also learn how to audit content and make recommendations on optimizing web pages for search engines. Aside from writing content, you can also pick up Content Management Systems (CMS) skills to upload and publish content for clients. Adding meta descriptions, meta titles, and Yoast optimization are only some of the additional services content writers can offer.
Earning potential varies by experience levels and skills. For instance, a content writer can expect an entry-level marketing salary of around $25 an hour. That works out to $50,109 a year. However, a content strategist who can also evaluate Google analytics to advise on content creation strategies can expect to make $72,742 per year.
Acquiring Credentials from Reputable Online Academies is Critical
Whether you’re looking for your first entry-level position in a company, or working as a remote freelance professional, recruiters like to see the certifications you’ve earned. But these credentials only work to prove that you understand the basics of digital marketing, like Search Engine Marketing (SEM) and Search Engine Optimization (SEO). However, given the fast-evolving facet of this industry, any accreditation you acquire could become redundant within the next 12 months. Expect to work as a part of large teams with members working at different aspects of the company’s internet marketing strategies. You’ll learn as you continue to deliver on projects.
Internet Marketing Professionals Absolutely Need Soft Skills
Soft skills are an indispensable part of your resume. Communication, giving presentations, report writing, coordinating tasks with coworkers from different global locations, and using online apps for sharing documents, are only some of the added skills you absolutely must learn. Managing your time efficiently, strong work ethics, adherence to deadlines, and the ability to think quickly on your feet are some of the essential requirements for being successful anywhere you work.
At least 89% of failed new hires in any company struggle because they lack soft skills. 30% of employees find it hard to accept positive or negative feedback, while 20% don’t have the drive and determination to be the best at what they do.
Social Media Advertising is the Next Big Thing in Digital Marketing
Contemporary advertising techniques are about building close connections with customers. The objectives of digital marketing are to identify the company’s target audience and sell them products and services. Social media advertising converses with customers through online communities where companies inform readers about their products and features and welcome feedback. Social media has the potential to establish manufacturers as authorities in their industry, offering valuable information that customers can use.
As a social media marketing expert, you’ll create content suitable for posting on different platforms like TikTok, Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. You may also be asked to develop Influencer feeds to gain traction for the company’s brand name.
Customer shopping habits are influenced by Inclusion & Diversity (I&D). Buyers choose brands and companies whose values they can align with, hence the rising demand for professionals trained in understanding how audiences think and respond to advertising campaigns. Social media marketing managers can expect to earn $53,541 on an average each year. Location, skills and education, and years of experience can influence pay scales.
Why Training in Google Analytics Should Be on Your List of Essential Skills
Considering that Google powers 90% of the world, that’s where you should direct all your digital marketing efforts. Training in Google Analytics helps you understand how Google algorithms work and the best strategies you can use to make the right impact. The most critical facet of every digital marketing campaign is that you can gather relevant data to evaluate whether your strategies have been successful. Analyzing the numbers and metrics gives you information like the number of people who viewed the campaign, clicked on the ad, and placed an order. Delivering quantifiable results to your clients is another of the responsibilities of a digital marketer, regardless of the specific sphere where they work.
Building a career in the digital marketing field allows candidates to work jobs that suit their talents and abilities, create personalized work schedules, deliver on projects from any remote location, and make fantastic salaries while they’re at it. You’ll have a higher probability of making a success of your life working in this industry than in any other
Further Reading from Skills You Need
The Skills You Need Guide to Personal Development
Learn how to set yourself effective personal goals and find the motivation you need to achieve them. This is the essence of personal development, a set of skills designed to help you reach your full potential, at work, in study and in your personal life.
The second edition of or bestselling eBook is ideal for anyone who wants to improve their skills and learning potential, and it is full of easy-to-follow, practical information.
About the Author
Seth Hymes is the founder of In Demand Careers. Since 2016, Seth has helped thousands of people acquire in-demand skills in digital marketing and get into high paying and fulfilling careers, no matter where they start.