Digital marketing is an umbrella term for the various marketing activities that make up this varied, fast-paced industry. Unlike traditional marketing, digital marketing focuses on marketing efforts that take place primarily online. Strategies and campaigns work to encourage internet users to convert into customers or users of apps/websites.
Interested in digital marketing jobs? Read on to find out why you should work in digital marketing, what skills employers will be looking for, and which degrees will help you get a foot in the digital marketing door.
- Why work in digital marketing?
- What careers are available in digital marketing?
- What skills are needed to work in digital marketing?
- What degrees help with a career in digital marketing?
Why work in digital marketing?
Working in digital marketing offers a unique blend of creativity and technical expertise that can be highly satisfying. From using specialist software and tools to analysing and interpreting data, it’s an ideal field for those who either want to focus on a particular niche or grow a diverse skill set. Digital marketing can significantly impact a business’s success, which can be highly rewarding. It’s also pretty easy to measure and track success!
Digital marketing is a rapidly evolving industry driven by the boom of e-commerce and social media, meaning there are plenty of prospects for those looking to work here. Not only are opportunities abundant, but you can work in digital marketing across a wide range of industries and niches, all based on your preferences.
What careers are available in digital marketing?
Digital marketing as an industry offers many different career opportunities. Here’s a selection of common job titles:
Performance marketing
This involves focused campaigns to achieve certain results, such as the number of people who sign up for a mailing list, click through to a certain part of a website, or make a purchase.
Branding
This involves building an image that connects with a target audience for a company’s online presence.
Organic marketing
This is all about growing a brand through content without paying and covers things like SEO and organic social media marketing.
Paid marketing
This is where you manage paid-for adverts, like Google Ads and ads on social media platforms.
Affiliate marketing
This is where you work with people and other businesses to promote your products or services. These people will earn a commission for referring new customers to you.
PR
This involves managing a company’s public image online. This can include appearing in news articles, being featured by influencers, etc.
What skills are needed to work in digital marketing?
If you want to pursue a career in digital marketing, there are skills you need to focus on, just like any industry. In digital marketing, soft skills are just as necessary as hard skills. There are some digital marketing paths, like videography or graphic design, for which you’ll need to provide evidence of your training and experience with potential employers. You can do this either with a portfolio or by sharing your education credentials.
But for more than a handful of digital marketing avenues, you’ll build up your experience as you go, starting either in an internship or entry-level position. And to get started here, this is where you want to demonstrate your soft skills. Think things like good communication, being a team player, attention to detail, problem-solving, working under pressure and tight deadlines, and juggling different priorities.
You’ll also want to show your competency in or willingness to learn marketing-specific skills. These include analysis, creative thinking, understanding your customers and target audience, technical know-how, project management, and general IT skills.
What degrees help with a career in digital marketing?
If you’re interested in a career in digital marketing, there is more than one specific degree you need to have. Degrees in business, advertising, and marketing are all great options, but communications, IT, English, journalism, or other humanities can be just as helpful. Employers tend to focus more on your experience, potential and skills rather than just your degree, but having one under your belt can give you an edge. This comes down to how competitive the industry is. To stand out even more, taking relevant courses in areas of digital marketing that interest you will only help to boost your CV.
Want to learn more about other careers available? Check out careers in other industries or look for jobs on the Unitemps website.
This article was written by Lois Neville.
Last updated on 18 November 2024
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