Deciding what is the right career for you may not be something you get right the first time. According to statistics, the average working person will change careers up to seven times, which proves there is room to change your mind and switch careers as and when you want to.
As the world becomes more reliant on technology, particularly for the success of businesses through the influence of social media and advertising, more and more jobs in digital marketing are being created. According to Linkedin, certain roles within the digital marketing industry are among the top 10 most in-demand jobs globally, which demonstrates the increasing credibility of having a career in digital marketing.
There are various roles within the digital marketing industry that you may not know about, that may be of interest to you. Whether you are looking for a career change, or are coming out of education and are looking for a well-paid, secure job which will fit your skill set, there is bound to be a role to suit you. To help you decide whether a career in digital marketing is an industry you could be interested in, read on to find out everything you will need to know.
What is digital marketing?
Before the invention of search engines such as Google and social media giants such as Facebook, marketing was achieved through newspaper ads, broachers, and TV; however, marketing today looks very different than it did twenty years ago. In fact, many of these older methods of marketing are no longer used on such a huge scale because they are not that effective.
Digital marketing is a modern way of reaching consumers by using the internet. The primary function of digital marketing is to convince consumers to purchase a product or a service from digital marketing techniques that drive public awareness. Click here to find out more about the influence of modern marketers.
Digital marketing is everywhere and can be found in your everyday life; from reading a news article on your phone to watching a YouTube video, it is hard to use the internet without coming across some form of advertising.
What are the pros and cons of a digital marketing role?
As with any job, there are pros and cons to digital marketing roles, which you should be aware of before you consider joining the industry.
Pros:
- There are opportunities to work from home.
- You have the chance to be creative every day.
- Due to the demand for digital marketing roles, high salaries are available.
- Flexible working schedule, particularly if you work remotely.
- You will gain future-proof technology skills.
- You will actively learn new things.
- Increased employability.
- Build relationships using the internet.
Cons:
- It can be a demanding and time-consuming career.
- Sitting down and working from a screen all day.
- Technology dependent.
- Depending on your role, your social skills could suffer from non-face-to-face interactions if conversations only take place via email, etc.
What roles should I consider?
There are many roles which branch from the digital marketing industry, many of which you may not have heard of before; however, it is important you are aware of all the options which may be of interest to you.
Here are some of the most popular digital marketing roles:
SEO Manager (Search Engine Optimization)
In this role, your focus is to make sure the traffic to a website is as heightened as possible by ensuring high-quality written content and keywords, which enable the site’s visibility on search engines.
Average salary: $82,000
Social Media Specialist
Your role is to understand the ins and outs of social media marketing. You need to know the best social media strategies to increase consumer awareness and sales of products.
An example of this is an Instagram influencer’s role, who actively use their high following as a platform to promote brand deals.
Average salary: $37,000
Copywriter
When you write for the purpose of advertising, you are a copywriter. For this role, you need to produce error-free, clean content and have a creative flair.
Average salary: $61,000
Data Analyst
Such a role requires you to analyze information from social media and ads, which is essential for understanding how consumers interact with a business.
Average salary: $75,000
Content Strategist
If you create and edit content for a specific business, subject to specific objectives and goals of the company, while using a particular strategy, you are a content strategist.
Average salary: $77,000
(Average salary in accordance with the data from Indeed, per year in the United States)
What skills may benefit a digital marketing role?
Before you consider a role in the digital marketing industry, it is fundamental that you are aware of the skills you will need in order to apply.
You will need to be:
- Tech-savvy – as digital marketing is solely based on the internet, you must be familiar with how the internet works and be proficient in the use of technology.
- Familiar with SEO – digital marketing is all about business visibility, so it is fundamental to understand the importance of search engine optimization and how it can be achieved.
- Creative – due to globalization, digital marketing is more competitive than ever, which means it is imperative to come up with new ideas to capture the interest of a consumer.
- An effective communicator – from sending emails to clients to having face-to-face meetings with your colleagues, you will need to be confident in your ideas and get them across effectively.
- Well informed on social media – platforms such as Facebook and Instagram are hotspots for digital marketing strategies, which is why you need to know how to persuade consumers to take notice.
Why should I choose a job in digital marketing?
Not only is a career in digital marketing fun and creative, but it also provides you with the security of knowing you are future proof, with your advanced skill set and understanding of the digital world.
A job in digital marketing is something that there will always be a demand for due to the inevitability of the further expansion of the internet, which means digital marketing will always exist so long as the internet does, as this is the primary way businesses promote themselves.
You can go down many avenues when looking for a job in digital marketing, so why not find out more here.
How do I know if it is the right industry for me?
The world of digital marketing is not for everyone, particularly for those who do not like the idea of relying on technology to do their job. However, there are questions you can ask yourself before you decide whether you do want a career in the digital marketing industry:
- Do I believe I can benefit the industry?
- Do I, or can I provide the required skills needed?
- Am I knowledgeable enough in the digital marketing world?
- Do I understand the significance of SEO and advertising?
- Do I have a relevant background?
- Am I tech-savvy?
- Do I enjoy creative projects?
- Am I happy to spend most of my work hours looking at a screen?
If you answered yes to all or most of these questions, it is within your best interest to look further into a digital marketing career, as you have valuable qualities employers look for.
If you answered no to some of these questions, it is advisable you consider another industry you may be better suited to.
I am interested – where do I go from here?
If you are coming to the end of this article, after taking in all that information, and you are liking the sound of a career in digital marketing, then why not kickstart your new career right now?
Develop your skills
If you are looking for a career change and are changing industries completely, start developing your digital skills. You can develop your digital skills in many ways; whether you read and write blogs, start a YouTube channel, or take a course in digital marketing, it is important you show prospective employers that you understand the industry.
Relevant work experience
Many different digital marketing agencies provide work experience to those who are interested in a career within the industry. However, there are also several other routes you could take to build your work portfolio. This could include voluntary content writing for media sites or setting up an Instagram page to build connections with brands.
Further education
If you want to understand the industry’s ins and outs from scratch, a good option would be to consider a degree in digital marketing. From doing this, you will come out with the relevant qualifications which will help you secure a job within the industry.
Get your dream job
Once you have gained the relevant skills and work experience to have a digital marketing career, you can start actively looking for your dream job.
Make sure your resume is of a high standard and reflects your best qualities and skills. A portfolio of your relevant work will also boost your credibility for employment.
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