How to start a career in digital marketing

Digital marketing is a dynamic and rewarding career choice. It’s an exciting industry that continuously evolves and requires constant learning to stay up to date. Not only does it offer the opportunity to work for large companies, either client-side or at an agency, but you also have the option of being a contractor or freelancer. On top of this, in today’s world, it’s a fantastic option for anybody looking to work remotely. And why not? All you need to become a digital marketer is a laptop, an internet connection, and the right set of skills.

So whether you’re considering a career switch or just starting your professional journey, this guide will help you understand how to get started in digital marketing.

The appeal of digital marketing

There are numerous benefits to having a career in digital marketing, such as;

High demand – Nowadays, pretty much every business has some form of online presence, making skilled digital marketers highly sought-after

Competitive salaries – Experienced digital marketers can earn well into six figures

Creativity meets technical knowledge – It’s the perfect blend of creative thinking combined with technical ability and decision-making

Remote work opportunities – Many roles can be performed remotely, which offers a high degree of flexibility and an improved work-life balance

What skills do I need to start a digital marketing career?

The term digital marketing covers a broad range of disciplines. The following are the fundamental components of digital marketing:

Email Marketing

Email marketing focuses on reaching people directly via their inboxes. It involves managing subscriber lists, crafting compelling campaigns, and establishing automated processes. Your content and subject lines will need to entice both new and previous customers. 

Social Media Marketing 

Social media marketing is about building genuine connections with your audience through consistent and engaging content. You’ll need to understand platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok to drive engagement. This includes working with influencers and managing paid campaigns.

Analytics

Analytics is one of the most important areas of digital marketing, as it enables you to track and measure your online presence. By using analytics data, you’ll gain insight into how people interact with your campaigns and can utilise it for better decision-making going forward.

Content Marketing

Content marketing focuses on creating valuable content to both attract and retain customers. This goes far beyond simple blog posts like this and includes videos, infographics, and podcasts. In this field, you’ll need to understand how to create compelling stories, provide relevant information, and manage content calendars.

SEO (Search Engine Optimisation)

SEO is both an art and a science. Amongst other things, it involves conducting keyword research and learning how to optimise your content to rank within search engines. Local SEO, mobile optimisation, and link building are all crucial components of a comprehensive strategy.

PPC (Pay Per Click)

PPC advertising is about creating and managing paid campaigns that drive targeted traffic to your website. This includes search advertising, display advertising, and remarketing campaigns. As well as knowing how to write compelling ad copy, you’ll need to understand budget and campaign management.

CRM (Customer Relationship Management)

CRM involves using a dedicated system to manage your relationship with your clients and customers. Using a platform like HubSpot or Salesforce, you’ll track interactions, manage leads, and create automated marketing workflows.

Website Design and Development

While not a core digital marketing discipline, it’s advantageous to have a basic understanding of web design and development. This could include knowledge of UI and UX design or having basic HTML/CSS coding skills.

Which area should I focus on?

Broadly speaking, most digital marketers fit into two categories – generalists and specialists. Perhaps you want to learn a little bit of everything and become a digital ‘jack of all trades’, or maybe you’d like to master one key area. The choice is up to you. Many large corporations hire people to focus on one discipline within a broader marketing team, while smaller companies might expect you to possess a broader knowledge of the entire digital landscape.

Where can I learn digital marketing skills?

One remarkable aspect of starting a digital marketing career is the unprecedented access to educational resources. The rise of online courses has democratised access to knowledge and learning. You no longer need to spend thousands attending university when you can now simply sign up to a well-established course provider online for a fraction of the cost.

Both newcomers and seasoned marketers alike can benefit from online courses. And while many of your skills will be enhanced throughout your career, online learning will keep you up to date as the industry develops. Digital marketing moves forward at a rapid pace, so it’s important not to fall behind.

Online learning platforms such as LinkedIn Learning, Coursera, and Skillshare offer a fantastic range of online digital marketing courses. 

Be sure to check our website regularly for our latest online course reviews.

What to do next

Build your knowledge 

Choose which area interests you and dive into an online course. You might need to take more than one before you feel sufficiently confident, but every course you take only serves to increase your skill set. Many courses encourage you to follow along with an instructor through a dummy campaign or project, and this is a great way of building practical experience. 

Develop your portfolio

While many marketers still rely on a CV, a portfolio can be just as important, particularly if you want to focus on creative areas such as content marketing. This is the place where you’ll not only tell people about your work but show them. This can be a powerful draw for a would-be employer or client.

When building an online portfolio it’s important to keep in mind the whole website. Even if you choose to specialise in one area, you can showcase your knowledge of other disciplines by having a well-maintained site that is both responsive and SEO-optimised.

Get certified

There are many platform-specific certifications you can take. These include Google Analytics, Facebook Blueprint, and HubSpot Academy. Earning such certifications is a great way of showing your skill and dedication to potential employers.

Find your first job

Digital marketing jobs can be found all over the internet. Job websites such as LinkedIn Jobs or Indeed can be good for finding both permanent and contract roles. While many freelancers now use dedicated platforms like Upwork, Flexjobs or People Per Hour.

Conclusion

So there you have it, our guide to starting a career in digital marketing. Wondering what course options are available to assist you on your journey? Use our course finder to help you on your way.