Thinking of venturing into the world of digital marketing?
This Hiredly guide is all you need to launch a successful career in digital marketing with or without a Bachelor’s degree.
Read on for a rundown of what a digital marketer does, the skills you need to pursue a career in digital marketing as well as helpful online resources to get you started.
What does a Digital Marketer do?
To start, digital marketing (sometimes referred to as online marketing) is the act of promoting and selling to potential customers through the use of the internet and other forms of digital media. Digital marketing can take many forms, but the most common ones are email, web-based advertising, and social media.
Therefore, a digital marketer uses these digital channels to create brand awareness, send a message, or promote products and services.
What skills does a Digital Marketer need?
Although a specific degree isn’t a prerequisite for a career in digital marketing, being on top of trends, strategies, and marketing tools is a must.
Fortunately, learning the skills needed for a successful digital marketing career is easier with internet access. It’s no wonder you’ll meet many digital marketers with completely different academic or career backgrounds.
Here is a list of 10 skills you need for a digital marketing career. We also included some helpful online resources to get you started:
1. Content Marketing.
Content Marketing requires you to analyze and create shareable online content that stimulates interest in a brand, cause, product or service.
Get started with the basics here:
2. Copywriting
Copywriting is preparing text for ads, marketing materials or websites. Good copywriting effectively delivers the intended message and inspire action from your audience.
All you need to know on copywriting here:
3. Social Media Marketing
Social Media Marketing is a form of Content Marketing that uses social media to bring awareness to a brand, cause, product, or service. What’s more, social media marketing is one of the easiest ways to try your hand at marketing! Think about creating content on social media platforms like Instagram, Facebook, TikTok or YouTube.
Check out:
4. Search Engine Optimization (SEO)
Search Engine Optimization (SEO) is the process of improving the visibility of your website when people search for specific information related to your brand or business. SEO strategies increase website traffic and ensure your website rank high on search engines like Google!
Get started on the basics here:
5. Paid Advertising
Paid Advertising or Digital Advertising is what many digital marketers focus on. It uses strategies to target potential customers based on their actions, interests, or previous interactions with the brand.
For more information, check out:
6. Email Marketing
Email Marketing uses email channels to update customers or audiences on the latest developments, offers or services. It is a staple marketing funnel to build lasting relationships with customers and generate leads via email. Learn how to use marketing automation to keep your audience in the loop.
Beginners will enjoy this class:
7. Web Analytics
Web Analytics help measure marketing effectiveness. It gives you a look into critical information such as customer behaviour or your online presence. You can then use these reports to improve future marketing efforts.
FutureLearn has an awesome course on web analytics:
8. Customer Journey Design
Customer Journey Design is a critical part of the Customer Experience. Because of this, being well-versed in Customer Journey can help you provide a pleasant experience to your customers by understanding their needs and pain points.
Learn how to implement Customer Journey for a successful marketing campaign here:
9. Affiliate Marketing
Affiliate Marketing refers to a program in which a business agrees to pay an affiliate a commission for driving sales of a product or service. Affiliates are usually other businesses or internet influencers like content creators or bloggers.
Learn more about affiliate marketing here:
10. Conversion Rate Optimization (CRO)
Conversion Rate Optimization (CRO) increases the percentage of users (or website visitors) to take the desired action by implementing effective ways of using elements on your website or app. It can include UX, page functionality and even recommendation algorithms and strategies.
Neil Patel explains it best here:
How do you get qualified as a Digital Marketer?
When it comes to qualifications, getting tertiary certification in marketing or communications is the most straightforward way to get into the digital marketing field. Qualification in IT or web development may help too.
If you don’t have the formal qualification, don’t fret.
The digital marketing landscape is constantly changing. Thus, proving you are up-to-date with current trends and tools can prove more valuable than having a specific Bachelor’s or Master’s degree.
Instead, micro-credentials in the form of quick, online courses are becoming more and more popular amongst digital marketers. It is a surefire way to keep up-to-date with current market needs while keeping you a competitive and employable candidate.
Here are some certifications and courses you can take online, from the comfort of your own home:
- iTrain Asia: The Certified Digital Marketing Specialist (CDMS) course
- AirAsia Academy: Digital Marketing 101, Digital Marketing for eCommerce
- LEAD: Growth Marketing 360
- Akademi GA: Digital Marketing Bootcamp, Digital Marketing On-Demand, Digital Marketing Immersive
- NEXT Academy: Digital Marketing Quantum Degree
Besides taking up courses or bootcamps, here are initiatives you can take to practice and prove your proficiency in digital marketing:
- Start a blog or website and implement web and email marketing strategies.
- Build a following on social media and market yourself and what you offer.
- Volunteer to provide digital marketing services for projects in your community, school or workplace. You can then use these projects to gain experience and build your portfolio.
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Set on starting a career as a digital marketer? Whether it will be your first job or a career change, make sure your resume is up-to-date with the help of our resume checklist.
When you’re ready, kickstart your career in Digital Marketing with jobs on Hiredly today!
