How to Start a Career in Digital Marketing
With the virtual world continuing to gain importance and surpass more traditional marketing techniques on a company’s road to success, digital marketing is a booming field for anyone looking to begin a new career. From fully virtual companies to brick-and-mortar stores alike, the business world is changing, and without a strong digital marketing campaign, companies tend to fall short.
So, what does it mean to be a digital marketer? There is a range of positions in the field, including but not limited to:
- Search Engine Optimization (SEO) Manager
- Pay-Per-Click (PPC) Marketing Manager
- Content Writer/Blogger
- Marketing and Automation Specialist
- UX Designer
- Social Media Executive
- Graphics Designer
As you can see, digital marketing encompasses many facets and chances are, you can find a position that suits your skillset. Whether you excel in software development, data analysis, writing, public relations, or visual design, you may be able to find a career in digital marketing that’s right for you.
1. Formal Experience Not Required
With the rise of technology in traditional business practices, the demand for digital marketing experts is growing at an impressive rate. So impressive that positions are abundant! Did you know that there is a skill gap, with over 2 million skilled workers needed in 2020 to fulfill digital potential, just in the UK alone? The demand in Canada and the United States is just as urgent.
The digital marketing industry is defined by its accelerating pace of change, with startups and digital entrepreneurs changing the way we do business and disrupting traditional career paths across the globe. With that comes a drive away from advanced degrees - colleges aren’t covering topics like search engine optimization or effective paid advertisement campaigns, after all. In the following steps, we’ll outline how to set yourself on the course for success in the digital marketing field regardless of your academic background.
Are you looking to get your career started in digital marketing in Toronto, Milton, Burlington and surrounding areas? Visit our careers page today; we are always looking for new talent!
2. Develop Your Soft Skills
While college or university, internships, and work experience seem like important pillars to succeeding in digital marketing, they may not be the most important factors to your job search. Presumably, if you’re in the running for a digital marketing position, you have the hard skills to back it up, just like every other candidate. Your soft skills are where you can set yourself apart from the competition – did you know that Google ranked their top characteristics to success, and the top seven are all soft skills?
With a powerhouse like Google weighing in, it’s not hard to tell that developing soft skills are a crucial stop on the road to success. Build your leadership, communication, empathy, and critical thinking skills to separate yourself from the competition and drive your digital marketing career forward.
3. Target Your Hard Skills to Your Desired Career Path
As we mentioned, digital marketing is a vast field, encompassing a range of skill sets. To succeed, you should decide on your chosen path early on and begin developing the skills necessary to thrive in that particular position.
While a years-long degree isn’t required to succeed, you still have various free and paid online workshops and courses designed to develop the hard skills you need to jump-start your career. Some free resources to consider are:
- Google Ads Certification
- Google Marketing Platform Certification
- Google Analytics Academy
- Hootsuite Academy
- HubSpot Inbound Marketing Certification
Utilize these resources and more to develop your professional skillset and prepare you for the digital marketing job that’s right for you.
4. Market Yourself
If you’re interested in a career in marketing, it starts with you. To land a job with a company or as a freelancer, you need to market yourself through your networking, resume, and interviewing skills to prove to prospective employers that you’re the right pick for the job. Familiarize yourself with current digital marketing trends to stay current and competitive, allowing you to accelerate past those other applicants!
Start the ignition to your new career by networking in a way that allows you to build professional connections and leave a lasting impression on key players. Rev your engine by writing a stellar, industry-specific resume that sets you apart and lands you an interview. Finally, pull ahead from the competition by showcasing those soft skills we talked about and prove why you’re the right fit for the job!
Following these simple steps is sure to set you on course for the digital marketing career of your dreams. WEB ROI specializes in digital marketing trends and strategies, and we have the experience and know-how to help you navigate this ever-evolving field. Start your engines and contact us today to discuss your digital marketing goals, and together we can embark on the path to success!
Sources:
https://www.onlinemarketinginstitute.org/blog/2017/11/10-tips-start-career-digital-marketing/
https://staenz.com/upcoming-career-opportunities-digital-marketing/
https://www.adamenfroy.com/digital-marketing-jobs
https://www.itpro.co.uk/strategy/25418/over-2-million-new-digital-jobs-expected-by-2020
https://digitalmarketinginstitute.com/blog/4-big-benefits-digital-marketing-career
