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Steps to become a Digital Marketer
You can become a Digital Marketer in a variety of methods. While many Digital Marketers begin their careers in traditional marketing roles before specializing, this isn't a hard-and-fast rule; you don't need any specific experience to become a Digital Marketer—only a set of skills.
In five easy steps, you can become a digital marketer:
- Learn the principles of digital marketing.
- Learn how to use some of the most important digital marketing tools.
- Create a list of digital marketing projects for your portfolio.
- Create your digital marketing resume.
- Make marketing contacts by networking.
1. Learn the principles of digital marketing Developing essential technical competencies in SEO and SEM, analytics, social media marketing and advertising, and email marketing is the first step toward a career in digital marketing. Along with this, look for ways to show that you have the various soft and transferable talents that a Digital Marketer should have, including leadership, a strong writing voice, and an understanding of the internet ecosystem. It might take months or even years to turn a passing knowledge of email marketing, SEO, analytics, and other topics into a cohesive skill set if you try to learn them piecemeal. Digital marketing boot camps, such as BrainStation's, are designed to immerse you in the essential parts of the field for efficient, fast learning.
2. Learn how to use some of the most important digital marketing tools It would be easier for you to become a Digital Marketer if you have experience with various digital marketing technologies. Digital Marketers can use Google Analytics and Google Ads, for example, to measure and track the success of marketing campaigns and efforts. SEO tools like Ahrefs, Moz, and SEMrush are essential since they allow marketers to research relevant keywords, verify backlinks to your sites, find related keywords, and assess competitors' SEO. When it comes to breaking into digital marketing, experience with email campaign tools like MailChimp or SendGrid can be highly beneficial. Knowledge of a customer relationship management (CRM) program like Salesforce or Hubspot might also help. The easiest way to get your feet wet, though, is through social media. Digital marketers increasingly use Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn, TikTok, and other social media platforms to drive traffic, create leads, and promote their businesses. When applying for a position in digital marketing, having a following (or at least a visually consistent style) and using social media management tools like Hootsuite, Later, and Buffer can help you stand out. Experiment with free stock image sites like Unsplash or Pexels, as well as graphic design services like Canva to help you create unique content for your social media channels.
3. Create a list of digital marketing projects for your portfolio For Digital Marketers, putting together a portfolio presents an added challenge. Instead of simply showing a finished product, you’ll need to demonstrate your processes and outcomes in a way that showcases your teamwork, planning, and strategic thinking. If you have samples of published work, such as newsletters, social media posts, or content marketing pieces, specify your role in their creation—did you create the strategic plan? Do you want to write a copy? Are you in charge of the layout? Are you in control of coordinating the ad-buying campaign? Sharing credit is crucial; rather than hogging the spotlight, it's in your best interests to show that you can operate as part of a team, if not lead one. Use as much data as possible when it comes to sharing the results of your work. For example, “I added 1,200 qualified prospects via a targeted social media campaign in Q2 of 2020” or “I grew organic web traffic 18 percent year-over-year” are examples of figures that digital marketers use to back up their claims. When it comes to SEM and SEO, being data-driven is extremely important. At the same time, not all firms track ROI across all of their digital marketing initiatives, SEM and SEO use relatively simple metrics. One caveat: if you're sharing work you've done for real clients, make sure you have their permission before releasing any confidential information. If you don't have any professional experience, you can include the results of the hands-on activities you did as part of your digital marketing training in your portfolio. Once you've gathered all of your documents, upload them to the internet in a slick, well-organized bundle. Use this section to explain your methodology and the inventive solutions you came up with at each stage. Your online presence is a component of your portfolio as well, and it should reflect your originality, voice, and professionalism. If you prefer to keep your social media accounts private, create one for a passion project—for example, an Instagram account dedicated to showcasing your surfing photographs or a blog devoted to cooking and recipes—and include it in your portfolio.
4. Create your digital marketing resume Because your CV is usually your first point of contact with a potential employer, it's important to get it right. It's best to keep things basic here. According to studies, you only have approximately six seconds to make an excellent first impression, so keep your resume clean and well-organised and the material brief. When it's appropriate, use bullet points. The focus should be on your marketing abilities and experience, with actual numbers assisting you (bearing in mind that your portfolio is the place to dive into details). We also suggest that you customise your resume for each job application. Examine the job ad and the company's website; your cover letter and CV should be written in the same tone. Demonstrate your personality and inventiveness in a way that reflects the company's brand personality. The job advertising will also show the company's hiring priorities, which you should highlight in your CV. Marketing skills (including software skills and other technical requirements), transferable skills (such as sales, design-savvy, or writing experience), and adaptive skills (such as leadership or problem-solving) are the three main areas. That first category should be highlighted prominently on your resume—these abilities should be the first to catch your eye. The transferable and adaptable talents can then be highlighted at the bottom of the page or threaded throughout.
5. Make marketing contacts by networking As a Digital Marketer, it's unsurprising that building an extensive network starts online. You might start your industry-related newsletter in addition to the aforementioned social platforms or blog to exhibit your unique material, display thought leadership, and share your work while also building your own platform. In practically every field, but especially in digital marketing, where the proof is in the pudding, having a solid online presence is beneficial. There are also various networking events for Digital Marketers in both the online and offline worlds, providing extra networking chances within the sector. The annual Digital Marketing Conference is held in Toronto, for example. At the same time, the industry website MarketingTerms includes hundreds of virtual networking events targeted to a variety of expertise and market areas.
What Are the Earning Potentials in Digital Marketing?
Digital marketing salaries are determined by your location, seniority, and experience. According to Glassdoor, the average compensation for a Digital Marketing Specialist is $50,000. On the other side, Digital Marketing Managers can earn a compensation of more than $75,000 on average.
A VP of Digital Marketing can earn anywhere from $135,000 to $200,000, while a Director of Digital Marketing may make anywhere from $105,000 to $140,000.
Is Digital Marketing a Field on the Rise?
Yes, digital marketing is one of the most rapidly growing industries in technology, with a high demand for digital marketing capabilities. In fact, according to Bullhorn, 71% of hiring managers had trouble finding marketing experts qualified to fill their positions. According to HubSpot, 70% of businesses are now investing in content and social media marketing, with 64% of marketers reporting that their marketing budgets have increased this year.
