Looking for some opportunities? Here they come!

Digital marketing is set to be one of the most important and dynamic of professional careers in the upcoming decade. Professionals in the industry are unlikely to wait for work, as millions of brands and companies across the world race to snap up the best talent.

And the best part? Digital marketing is one of the few industries today where degrees do not matter a lot. Of course, education is likely to give you an edge. But with so many options of self-learning, even those with no formal background in the digital realm can take hold and climb up the ladder with ease.

So, let us explore the 4 most in-demand digital marketing careers today, and how you can take up a career path in them.

Digital Marketing Manager 

The Profile – 

As the name suggests, a digital marketing manager is the top boss in charge of a team that works in the digital realm. Their goal is to ensure that all the digital campaigns and processes go smoothly, ranging from social media presence to new adverts and their impact.

They are thus responsible for making sure that the brand name and its products are well-known on the internet, and that new customers keep flowing in.

Skills and Education –

A formal degree in management can be a great asset and give you a competitive edge. However, you can land a good position solely on the basis of work experience as well. Skill wise, the position is one that requires good knowledge of most digital marketing realms, including content, SEO, social media and website management.

Alongside, soft skills such as communication and leadership are essential. Given the dynamic nature of the internet and freelance nature of most workers, project and time management skills are also essential, along with comfort in rapid and extensive digital communication.

Standing Out –

The way to stand out as a digital manager is to put in the work. Start from the bottom, dabble in the various areas of digital marketing, and also work on your soft skills. Innovation and creativity are also incredible assets – trying a new marketing strategy can be a big risk, but the rewards will come flooding in if you pull it off.

SEO and SEM

The Profile –

SEO is one of the most frequently mentioned buzzwords in digital marketing, and for good reason. Search Engine Optimization puts a brand front and center when people search for relevant products or services, making it much more likely that people will go for them.

While SEO is free, Search Engine Marketing involves linking advertisements to keywords, and then paying the search engine when the customer clicks through or buys a product.

Skills and Education – 

There is no degree on SEO and SEM as of now, but there are plenty of courses that can help you develop a solid foundation in the concepts. The key to great SEO skills is constant upgradation and practice. Integrating SEO can at times make your content clunky, which clients may not prefer.

It thus takes a good amount of practice to make content both appealing and SEO friendly, and if you nail the balance then you will be a top choice with the recruiters.

Standing Out –

SEO goes hand-in-glove with two major facets – content writing and website management. You should have the basics of platforms such as WordPress and Wix down, and having a good and fluid writing style is an added bonus. Thus, you should aim to provide a package of skills, and not just SEO to be ahead of others.

Content

The Profile – 

Written words continue to be the backbone of digital marketing, especially on social media platforms and on a company’s own website. Anybody whose writing is skilled enough to capture fast-moving attention spans can thus do very well in the realm of digital marketing.

Skills and Education – 

Degrees in languages and literature may be an advantage in some places, but not much – writing for the internet is after all a different ballgame. You would certainly need to have excellent command over whatever language you use, including grammar, syntax, and yes, research and communication.

Being abreast of general knowledge and world events is also extremely important to write relevant and engaging content.

Standing Out –

SEO is always an added benefit when you are pursuing a career in content writing. Alongside, it is a good idea to develop your skills in all facets of online writing – blogging, captions, copywriting, and even fiction writing. Comfort in multiple formats will make you an asset, and will allow you to pursue freelance work with ease.

Graphics and Video 

The Profile – 

Words surely have their way, but pictures and videos are sure-shot ways of garnering attention, especially on social media platforms. People who work with graphics and videos are tasked with creating visuals for marketing, product display, and for consumer engagement.

Skills and Education – 

A formal course in graphic designing or video making tends to be an asset, as these are fine techniques to be mastered. Speed is also of the essence here, since content often has to go up on a moment’s notice or at a regular schedule.

Thus, individuals who wish to work in digital marketing should be comfortable in creating quick alluring pieces. Preference is usually given to those who have the skills in digital art, and not physical, as transferring the latter onto an online medium takes additional time.

Standing Out –

To be the top choice for a job, you should not only have the right blend of finesse in standard designs, but also have a unique flair of your own that would make the company’s photos and videos stand out. Build a digital presence by showcasing your work on a blog or social media, which can act as a portfolio for your work.

General Points to Remember

Intrigued by a career in digital marketing and some points above have caught your eye? Here are some general tips to help you get started –

• As you can see from above, work experience matters more than degrees. So, if you are not from a marketing background but are still interested in digital marketing, try your hand first at some internships and freelance work. Not only will you get a better idea of the work and its suitability for you, but you will also gain valuable experience.
• Unfortunately, the internet has significant issues of plagiarism and ”inspiration”. Make sure that you read up on how to protect your work. Get written contracts signed and make sure you are credited for your work. A good way to do so is to regularly share the work on your social media (with permission from your employer), so that you have a digital record of your works.
• Don’t ever think that you do not deserve to be compensated simply because your artwork or content is ‘digital’ in nature. If it was so unvalued, employers would not go around seeking it. You can always make a choice to work unpaid for experience. But if you do intend on getting paid, talk to your peers and seniors in digital marketing so that you have a good idea of prevailing rates.
• Digital marketing means that your work will be seen by thousands, perhaps even millions. It is inevitable that not all may like it. Trolls and bad comments are a sad reality of the internet. Do not let these get you down. Instead, focus on the constructive criticism and use it to improve your work.

Are you interested in pursuing a career in digital marketing? What niche do you want to get into? Are there any other digital career opportunities you’d like to know about? Let us know in the comments below!