{"id":14492,"date":"2022-08-04T13:28:49","date_gmt":"2022-08-04T11:28:49","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/careerfoundry.inbearbeitung.de\/en\/?p=14492"},"modified":"2023-03-06T19:42:57","modified_gmt":"2023-03-06T18:42:57","slug":"how-to-become-a-digital-marketer","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/careerfoundry.inbearbeitung.de\/en\/blog\/digital-marketing\/how-to-become-a-digital-marketer\/","title":{"rendered":"How To Become a Digital Marketer (Is It a Good Career Fit?)"},"content":{"rendered":"

Careers in digital marketing are hot stuff right now. Not only does the field offer a wide range of creative opportunities, it\u2019s also constantly expanding into new industries and technology areas. These factors have resulted in a need for diverse skill sets, personality types, and professional backgrounds in the sector.<\/span><\/p>\n

Don\u2019t take our word for it, though. According to the reputable market research company Global Industry Analysts Inc., the global market value for digital marketing is <\/span>projected to reach $860.8 billion by 2026<\/span><\/a>. That\u2019s up from a measly (!) $530.9 billion in 2022, translating to many new jobs and plenty of fresh opportunities. While this bodes well for digital marketing as an industry, what about individuals climbing the career ladder? In short: if you haven\u2019t worked in the sector before, are you a good fit for a career in digital marketing? Where can I learn how to become a digital marketer?<\/span><\/p>\n

In this post, we’ll explore this question deeper, diving in to answer the following:<\/span><\/p>\n

    \n
  1. What is digital marketing?<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n
  2. What kinds of digital marketing jobs are there?<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n
  3. What skills and experience do you need to work in digital marketing?<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n
  4. Is digital marketing a good industry to go into?<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n
  5. How to become a digital marketer: practical tips<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n
  6. Summary and next steps<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    Ready to find out if you\u2019re a good fit for a career in digital marketing? Let\u2019s go.<\/span><\/p>\n

    1. What is digital marketing?<\/span><\/h2>\n

    In its simplest form, digital marketing describes any type of marketing that takes place online. Due to the breadth of available digital channels, brands use digital marketing to connect with their audiences in various ways, and for various reasons. They might use it to raise brand awareness, establish their authority as an industry leader, or simply promote their wares. The key to digital marketing is targeting different audiences with tailored messaging.<\/span><\/p>\n

    Common <\/span>digital marketing channels<\/span><\/a> you might come across include: blogs, websites, social media, email campaigns, online advertising, videos (and other multimedia), and <\/span>search engine marketing<\/span><\/a>. In reality, though, most marketing campaigns aren\u2019t limited to a single channel, but instead will intersect several of them (what we call \u2018<\/span>multichannel marketing<\/span><\/a>\u2019).<\/span><\/p>\n

    Unlike traditional (offline) marketing techniques, one huge benefit of digital marketing is the ability to measure the finer details of customer engagement. How many people clicked the link in an email? How long did they linger on your website? How many people shared a social media post (and with whom)? How many clicks led to product purchases?<\/span><\/p>\n

    Armed with this data, brands can tweak their digital marketing strategies to drive even more customers towards a chosen action. As you can probably tell, digital marketing is a potentially powerful tool and a vital part of any modern organization\u2019s broader sales and marketing strategy.<\/span><\/p>\n

    Want to get into the nitty-gritty of the ins and outs of digital marketing? Check our our comprehensive guide!<\/a><\/p>\n

    2. What kinds of digital marketing jobs are there?<\/span><\/h2>\n

    We\u2019ll cut to the chase\u2014there is no shortage of digital marketing job opportunities! Regardless of the sector, product, or service, there\u2019s a massive array of digital marketing jobs, crossing various functions. Which one is right for you will depend on your specific skill set and interests. Rest assured, though\u2014whatever your background, there will be a digital marketing role out there suited to your needs, skills, and career objectives.<\/span><\/p>\n

    While we can\u2019t possibly cover all the different digital marketing positions available, here\u2019s a handful worth considering.<\/span><\/p>\n

    Content strategist<\/span><\/h3>\n

    A common saying in digital marketing is that \u2018content is king\u2019. If that\u2019s true, content strategy is pretty important, too! A content strategist\u2019s role is to devise and deliver plans that simultaneously meet an organization\u2019s business objectives while serving the needs of its customers. Content strategists work on everything from written copy to video, graphics, and podcasts. They\u2019ll often carry out audits of existing content, too, and tend to work well with several disciplines, including copywriters, web designers, and AV professionals.<\/span><\/p>\n

    Learn more in our guide to becoming a content strategist<\/a>.<\/p>\n

    Social media manager<\/span><\/h3>\n

    Creating and maintaining an effective presence on social media is often a key goal of digital marketing. A <\/span>social media manager<\/span><\/a>, therefore, takes charge of a brand\u2019s online presence. They will produce and disseminate targeted content, analyze data, oversee customer service, and work with wider digital marketing teams to deliver high-impact social media campaigns.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

    Digital marketing analyst<\/span><\/h3>\n

    Today\u2019s digital marketers all require some working knowledge of data analysis. However, the ubiquity of data in our interconnected world has led to the emergence of a relatively new position: <\/span>the digital marketing analyst<\/span><\/a>. Sometimes working alone, others as part of a team, a digital marketing analyst\u2019s role is to keep everyone\u2019s feet on the ground with data-driven insights. When creative ideas are flying, they will keep focused on the figures. With a highly analytical mindset, digital marketing analysts cut through the fluff, organizing and analyzing data to tell wider teams what\u2019s working and what\u2019s not.<\/span><\/p>\n

    Copywriter<\/span><\/h3>\n

    Core to any digital marketing strategy is skilled copywriters who can produce highly engaging content for everything from blog posts to scripts, email campaigns, product landing pages, and more. While good digital marketing copywriters need a broad knowledge of the field, their real skill is as a wordsmith. The best copywriters have an intuitive feel for tone of voice, messaging, and what language appeals to different audiences. They\u2019re also highly organized, often working to tight deadlines and working closely with SEO teams to ensure they incorporate appropriate keywords into their copy.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

    Want to learn more about the art of copywriting? <\/span>Read our guide!<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n

    Search engine optimization (SEO) specialist<\/span><\/h3>\n

    One of the most in-demand skills in digital marketing is SEO. This helps organizations boost their search engine rankings. Because there are many different (and often changing) aspects of SEO, entire digital marketing agencies<\/a> are dedicated to this role. From keyword research to link building and optimizing the back-end of websites, SEO specialists are creative and analytical, working with copywriters, web developers, and content strategists to ensure websites are readable for both humans and search engine algorithms.<\/span><\/p>\n

    Email marketing specialist<\/span><\/h3>\n

    With<\/span> over 300 billion emails sent every day<\/span><\/a>, it\u2019s hardly rocket science that many brands want to target this key digital channel. One of the first digital marketing techniques to emerge, email has stood the test of time against newer channels such as social media, video, and podcasts. An email marketing specialist<\/a>\u2019s job is to create compelling campaigns that stand out against the background noise of our inboxes, compelling customers to action. While this may involve writing copy, the majority of an email specialist\u2019s role is strategic, building customer profiles and diving into data to figure out what works. They\u2019ll then devise a stand-out campaign that digital designers and copywriters will bring to life.<\/span><\/p>\n

    We went into detail on some of these jobs in <\/span>this article<\/span><\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n

    \"Ever<\/p>\n

    Related reading:<\/strong> A definitive guide to digital marketing job titles<\/a><\/p>\n

    3. What skills and experience do you need to work in digital marketing?<\/span><\/h2>\n

    Although we have an idea of what digital marketing involves, you may still be figuring out whether or not you\u2019re a good fit for a career in this field. In this section, we\u2019ll explore some characteristics common to all digital marketing roles, regardless of specialism.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

    If you don\u2019t tick off everything on this list, don\u2019t worry! With even a handful of these traits, you could still be a brilliant fit for the field.<\/span><\/p>\n

    Communication skills<\/span><\/h3>\n

    An ability to communicate with various stakeholders and disciplines is vital for any digital marketing role. You\u2019ll need to communicate with external clients, c-suite personnel, digital designers, copywriters, web developers, data analysts, and more. While good communication means adapting your style to others\u2019 needs, it also means being open and transparent. It\u2019s not just about convincing people that your approach is correct but being honest about what you don\u2019t know and seeking help when necessary.<\/span><\/p>\n

    Analytical thinking<\/span><\/h3>\n

    Critical thinking is vital to digital marketing\u2014it helps you cut through unnecessary detail to focus on the best solution to a problem. In a position that involves many stakeholders bringing different perspectives and agendas, this will keep your projects, campaigns, and strategies on track. Whether you\u2019re analyzing customer data, deciding between creative approaches, or responding to negative PR, analytical thinking will always serve you well.<\/span><\/p>\n

    A head for figures<\/span><\/h3>\n

    The best digital marketers are good number-crunchers. This might mean being able to do quick sums in your head, don\u2019t worry if math is not your strong point. Having a good head for figures is more about your ability to manage budgets, analyze data, and review metrics and key performance indicators (such as website traffic or email response rates). And, of course, you\u2019ll always have an eye on the bottom line and return on investment.<\/span><\/p>\n

    Active listening<\/span><\/h3>\n

    Getting the best from your teams, and targeting audiences in ways that meet their needs involves careful, active listening. Active listening means more than listening to someone\u2019s words. Pay close attention to body language and tone of voice, too. Often people say one thing when they mean another. This goes for internal teams but also your customers. For instance, a customer might complain about the quality of a product when it was the customer service that upset them. Careful listening will help you spot these subtle differences, allowing you to solve problems more effectively.<\/span><\/p>\n

    Marketing principles<\/span><\/h3>\n

    It might sound obvious, but if you\u2019re hoping to be a good fit for digital marketing, you\u2019ll need a solid understanding of general marketing theory, as well as specific digital marketing techniques. The former includes understanding the difference between a<\/span> marketing funnel<\/span><\/a> and a<\/span> digital marketing funnel<\/span><\/a>, or<\/span> what the key content types are<\/span><\/a>. The latter includes understanding digital marketing techniques like<\/span> email marketing<\/span><\/a> or the<\/span> basics of SEO<\/span><\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n

    A love of technology<\/span><\/h3>\n

    Digital marketing, unsurprisingly, relies on digital tech. And as we\u2019re all aware, new tech is constantly emerging. If you find fresh technologies fascinating (rather than befuddling) and see their potential over their pitfalls, this will put you in great stead for a digital marketing career. You\u2019ll be passionate about figuring out how to turn the latest tech trends to your advantage, and be great at spotting when the latest fads are just hot air and hype!<\/span><\/p>\n

    Highly organized and detail-focused<\/span><\/h3>\n

    Digital marketing is often a curious combination of fast-paced decision-making and perfectionist planning. You\u2019ll be good at self-management, prioritizing what needs to be done, and honing in on necessary facts and figures when they require your attention at short notice. While you\u2019ll no doubt be happy strategizing with spreadsheets, you\u2019ll be just as content letting everything drop to handle an emergency such as a social media storm or a customer service issue.<\/span><\/p>\n

    Strategic and competitive<\/span><\/h3>\n

    Going hand-in-hand with organizational skills, the best digital marketers are great strategic thinkers. While creativity is essential, the main thing is to keep an eye on your objectives. Is a campaign going as planned? Or is it going over budget? Are you meeting your KPIs? Balancing winning campaigns with flexible strategies will help keep you ahead of competitors.<\/span><\/p>\n

    Learning mindset<\/span><\/h3>\n

    There\u2019s no place for the phrase \u2018but that\u2019s how we\u2019ve always done it\u2019 in digital marketing. If you like busting conventions, mixing things up, and learning new stuff, you\u2019ll do well in the field. Attendance at industry events, staying updated on the latest digital trends, reading magazines and blogs, and keeping an eye on competitor products and services are all prerequisites for digital marketing experts.<\/span><\/p>\n

    Team working and leadership<\/span><\/h3>\n

    With such an array of different skill sets required for digital marketing, nobody can work alone. More often than not, digital marketers have to pull together multidisciplinary teams to deliver high-impact campaigns that offer real value. This not only requires excellent teamwork, motivation, and morale, but persuasive project management, leading teams to get the best out of them.<\/span><\/p>\n

    Do you have any of these traits? If not, what can you do to cultivate them? At this point, the main thing is to be fascinated by the field and willing to hone the employability skills you need to make strides. But before we get to that, what about the industry as a whole?\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

    Related reading:\u00a0<\/strong>9 Essential digital marketing skills to develop in the following year<\/a><\/p>\n

    \"Where<\/p>\n

    4. Is digital marketing a good industry to go into?<\/span><\/h2>\n

    We may be biased, but we think digital marketing is a great industry. It\u2019s a great outlet for creativity, and offers plenty of career progression, competitive salaries, and much more. But don\u2019t take our word for it\u2014here\u2019s some of the latest data on the state of the industry.<\/span><\/p>\n

    Global digital advertising spend is set to increase by 68%<\/span><\/h3>\n

    While digital advertising spend doesn\u2019t reflect the state of the entire digital marketing industry, it\u2019s a positive signifier. In 2021, global digital advertising spend was estimated at $521 billion. By 2026, that\u2019s projected to grow to $876 billion\u2014<\/span>an increase of 68%<\/span><\/a>. This spending doesn\u2019t sit alone, either. It requires new hires, telling us clearly that companies are taking digital marketing ever more seriously as time goes by.<\/span><\/p>\n

    Video and media-rich content is driving digital marketing growth<\/span><\/h3>\n

    If you love multimedia and want to bring your skills to digital marketing, you\u2019re in luck. According to the<\/span> Global Digital Marketing Market Outlook report<\/span><\/a> by EMR, major drivers of market growth in the industry include an increase in online video and mobile advertising and increasing consumption of video advertisements. Other drivers include rising smartphone use and other factors. Regardless of the detail, the facts all point in one direction, and that\u2019s up, up, up!<\/span><\/p>\n

    Digital marketing is expanding in all key global markets<\/span><\/h3>\n

    Wherever in the world you are, digital marketing is a pretty safe career bet. According to<\/span> market researcher ReportLinker<\/span><\/a>, the digital marketing industry is growing in key geographic markets. This includes the U.S., China, Japan, Canada, and Europe (especially Germany). All this suggests that no matter where you\u2019re located, there\u2019ll be opportunities in digital marketing.\u00a0 With many other industries facing crises and unemployment at this time of global geopolitical upheaval, digital marketing is about as safe a bet as you can ask for. And if that\u2019s not enough to convince you, we\u2019re not sure what is!<\/span><\/p>\n

    5. How to become a digital marketer: Practical tips<\/span><\/h2>\n

    Hopefully, we\u2019ve convinced you that you\u2019re a good fit for a career in digital marketing. So, next question: where do I learn how to become a digital marketer?<\/span><\/p>\n

    Check out this video with CareerFoundry CMO Ed Wood for some tips, or keep reading:<\/p>\n