How To Get Jobs In Digital Marketing

In the dynamic and ever-evolving world of the internet, digital marketing has emerged as a crucial element for businesses looking to thrive online. This field, blending creativity with technology, offers many opportunities for those eager to dive into the digital realm. This article explores the intricacies of digital marketing, shedding light on why it’s a promising career path, who can pursue it, the fundamental requirements, career prospects, and potential earnings in this industry.

What is digital marketing?

Digital marketing uses channels, tools, and platforms to promote or market products and services to a targeted audience. It encompasses many activities, including search engine optimisation (SEO), content marketing, social media marketing, email marketing, and affiliate marketing. Unlike traditional marketing, digital marketing offers the unique advantage of reaching a broader audience measurably and cost-effectively.

Why get a job in digital marketing?

The digital marketing field is attractive for several reasons:

• Growing industry: With the increasing reliance on the internet, the demand for digital marketing professionals continues to soar.
• Diverse opportunities: Digital marketing offers a variety of roles, from content creation to analytics, catering to different skills and interests.
• Innovation and creativity: It’s a field that constantly evolves, encouraging innovative and creative marketing strategies.
• Measurable results: Digital tools allow for the tracking and analysing of marketing efforts, providing tangible outcomes.

Are you looking for a career with many remote work opportunities? You can find various roles in the digital marketing field that offer the flexibility to work from anywhere, anytime.

Who is qualified?

Digital marketing is an inclusive field. While having a background in marketing, communication, or related fields can be beneficial, it’s optional. Enthusiasts from various backgrounds, including self-taught individuals, can find a place in digital marketing. The key is a willingness to learn, adapt, and stay updated with digital trends.

Getting a foot in the door: How to start a career in digital marketing

If you’re starting from scratch, getting a role in digital marketing involves a combination of education, skill-building, networking, and strategic job searching. Here are some steps to help you break into the industry:

Educate yourself

Start by learning the basics of digital marketing. You can find numerous free and paid digital marketing courses from Coursera, Udemy, Google’s Digital Garage, and LinkedIn Learning. Topics to focus on include SEO, content marketing, social media marketing, email marketing, and Google Analytics.

Obtain certifications

Certifications can add value to your resume. Consider obtaining certifications like Google Ads Certification, Google Analytics Certification, HubSpot Content Marketing Certification, and Facebook Blueprint Certification.

Build your online presence

Start a blog or submit guest blog posts, a YouTube channel, or a social media page where you can apply and showcase your digital marketing skills. Doing so provides practical experience and serves as a portfolio to show potential employers.

Develop a specialty

While a broad understanding of digital marketing is beneficial, specialising in a particular area (like SEO, PPC, social media, etc.) can make you more attractive to employers.

Gain practical experience

You can gain digital marketing experience by working on small projects as a freelancer, through internships, or by offering your services to local businesses or startups. Real-world experience is highly valued in the digital marketing field.

Network

Connect with professionals in the field through LinkedIn, digital marketing forums, and local meetups or conferences. Networking can lead to mentorship opportunities and alert you to job openings.

Stay current with industry trends

Follow industry blog posts, podcasts, and news sources to stay updated with digital marketing trends and technologies. This knowledge can be invaluable in interviews and on the job.

Apply for entry-level positions or internships

Look for entry-level roles such as Digital Marketing Assistant, Social Media Coordinator, or SEO Trainee. Internships can also provide valuable experience and a foot in the door.

As with any other industry, finding a full-time role may be challenging initially. In this case, you can consider freelancing or offering your services to non-profits to build your portfolio.

Remember, persistence is vital. Breaking into digital marketing might take time, but you can successfully enter and progress in this dynamic field with a consistent effort to learn, network, and gain experience.

What are the basic requirements?

There are several basic requirements typically expected from entry-level digital marketing professionals. To secure an entry-level position in a digital marketing company, you may need one or more of the following:

• Educational background: A bachelor’s degree in marketing, communications, business, or a related field is often preferred, though optional. Some companies may accept equivalent experience or self-taught skills instead of formal education.
• Understanding of digital marketing fundamentals: Basic knowledge of key digital marketing concepts such as SEO (Search Engine Optimization), SEM (Search Engine Marketing), content marketing, social media marketing, email marketing, and analytics is crucial.
• Technical skills: Familiarity with digital marketing tools and platforms like Google Analytics, Google Ads, social media platforms (Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram), email marketing tools (MailChimp, Constant Contact), and basic CMS (Content Management System) knowledge.
• Certifications (optional but beneficial): Certifications from recognised programs like Google Analytics Certification, Google Ads Certification, HubSpot Content Marketing Certification, and Facebook Blueprint Certification can give you an edge over other candidates.

  

• Soft skills: Strong communication skills (both written and verbal), creativity, analytical thinking, and the ability to work in a team are highly valued. Being detail-oriented and having good problem-solving skills are also important.
• Internship or practical experience: Any prior internship or hands-on experience in digital marketing, even if it’s a personal project or freelance work, can be advantageous.
• Passion for digital marketing: Showing a genuine interest in digital marketing trends, practices, and continuous learning can set you apart. Being proactive in learning and keeping up to date with the latest digital marketing trends is essential.
• Portfolio or work samples: If applicable, having a portfolio that showcases your digital marketing projects, campaigns, or contributions can be very compelling.

While these are the basic requirements, the specific expectations can vary depending on the company and the role you are applying for. Tailoring your resume and application to align with the job description can increase your chances of success.

Career prospects in the digital marketing industry

The digital marketing industry offers diverse career paths, including:

• SEO specialist: Optimising website content for search engines.
• Content marketer: Creating engaging content to attract and retain a defined audience.
• Social media manager: Managing a brand’s presence on social media platforms.
• Email marketing specialist: Designing and implementing email marketing campaigns.
• Digital marketing analyst: Analysing data to identify trends and insights.

Your career prospects in digital marketing are promising, given businesses’ growing reliance on digital platforms across various industries. Here’s an overview of what you can expect:

Wide range of roles

Digital marketing encompasses a variety of roles, each with its own set of responsibilities. You can pursue digital marketing careers as a Social Media Manager, SEO Specialist, Content Marketer, Email Marketing Specialist, Digital Marketing Analyst, PPC (Pay-Per-Click) Specialist, and more. This diversity allows you to find a niche that best matches your skills and interests.

Opportunities for advancement

As you gain experience, there are ample opportunities for career advancement. You can move up to roles such as Digital Marketing Manager, Head of Digital, Digital Marketing Director, or even Chief Marketing Officer. These digital marketing positions often involve strategic planning, team management, and higher levels of responsibility.

Freelance and consulting opportunities

Digital marketing also offers the flexibility to work as a freelancer or consultant. This path allows you to work with various clients and projects, offering services like SEO consultancy, social media strategy, or content creation.

Specialisation and niche expertise

As you progress, you can specialise in specific areas such as data analytics, mobile marketing, video marketing, or e-commerce. Specialising can make you particularly valuable in areas with high demand but limited expertise.

Continuous learning and growth

The field requires you to stay abreast of the latest trends and technologies. This continuous learning can lead to personal and professional growth, keeping your skills relevant and in demand.

Global opportunities

The digital nature of this field means that you often have the chance to work with international clients or even pursue marketing careers abroad. The skills in digital marketing are primarily universal, providing global career opportunities.

Evolving with emerging technologies

As new technologies like artificial intelligence, machine learning, and augmented reality continue to evolve, they create new sub-fields within digital marketing. Staying knowledgeable in these areas can open up even more career opportunities.

Potential for entrepreneurship

With experience and a solid network, digital marketers often have the foundation to start their agency or business, providing digital marketing services or specialising in digital strategy or online branding.

Overall, a career in digital marketing offers a dynamic and evolving landscape with various paths for advancement, specialisation, and even global work opportunities. Your success will largely depend on your ability to adapt, continuously learn and stay ahead of digital trends.

How much can you earn in digital marketing?

The average salary in digital marketing varies widely based on experience, location, and the specific role. Generally, entry-level digital marketing jobs might start from a modest base, but there is significant potential for growth. For example, in the United States, digital marketing specialists can earn an average salary of $63,794 per year, with experienced professionals or those in managerial positions making upwards of $100,000 annually.

The downsides of a digital marketing career

While a career in digital marketing can be exciting and rewarding, like any profession, it also comes with challenges and downsides. Here are some of the potential drawbacks:

• A constant need to update skills: The digital marketing landscape evolves with new tools, platforms, and algorithms. This continuous change requires professionals to continuously learn and adapt, which can be time-consuming and sometimes overwhelming.
• High competition: With the field’s growing popularity, more individuals are pursuing careers in digital marketing. This surge can increase job competition, especially in top-tier companies or roles with lucrative salaries.
• Dependence on technology: Since a digital marketing job relies heavily on technology, technical issues or disruptions can significantly impact productivity and campaign performance. This reliance also means that professionals must be continuously tech-savvy and alert to digital marketing tools and platform changes.

Digital marketing is sensitive to technological changes, search engine algorithms, and social media platform policies. Changes in these areas can quickly render a successful strategy obsolete, requiring swift adaptation or a complete overhaul.

Understanding these challenges is crucial for anyone considering a digital marketing job. Continually developing resilience, time management skills, and a proactive approach to learning and adaptation is essential to thrive in this dynamic field.

Conclusion

With businesses increasingly moving towards digital platforms, the demand for skilled digital marketers is rising. As such, whether you’re a recent graduate, a professional looking to switch careers, or someone with a passion for the digital world, the opportunities in digital marketing are plentiful and diverse. You can enjoy a lucrative career and thrive in a dynamic and exciting work environment in this industry. By staying updated with the latest trends, continuously honing your skills, and being adaptable, you can forge a successful digital marketing career.