These days, it seems like so many people are working in the digital marketing industry. Whether they’re bloggers who’ve mastered SEO or people who spend their entire lives on social media improving a business’s presence, digital marketing jobs are on the rise. Many of them are remote, too, so if you love to travel or work from home, it’s a great way to use your creative and analytical skills while living a lifestyle that suits you. But it can be challenging to break into the digital marketing industry, especially if you don’t have any related experience or a masters in digital marketing.
Luckily, there are some strategies you can use to get started. By following these tips, you’ll get the experience and education you need, which means you can start your dream job in no time.
1. Inform yourself
Obviously, a digital marketing degree is going to look amazing to any employer. But if it takes too long or you can’t afford it, there are other ways you can pick up the right skills. Check out digital marketing blogs such as Neil Patel’s, and keep yourself informed about digital market trends. (As you can imagine, they’re constantly evolving.) Once you know enough about Google Adwords and ROI, you’ll be able to express this in your applications.
Considering that 89 percent of marketers ranked improving the ability to measure and analyze marketing impact as a top priority, learning more about this topic will make you stand out among other applicants.
2. Get certified
It’s also a good idea to get certified. That way, you’re proving that you’ve put in the work to learn what you can. HubSpot and LinkedIn offer some great certifications, and there are many resources online available for free. If you aren’t sure where to start, join a Digital Marketing group (for example, on Facebook) or simply ask on Twitter. Take a look at this list of the best free certifications and see if there’s one that works for you. Once you’ve completed the certification, you can put it on your resume and LinkedIn profile. And if you’re impatient to start applying to jobs, mention that you’re currently in training.
Don’t forget to study up on content writing and search engine optimization. After all, 95 percent of people only look at the first page of search results!
3. Get some practice
Once you’ve learned the lingo and started taking courses online, nothing’s going to show an employer how serious you are as much as experience. It may seem challenging to get experience when no one will hire, but remember that there are always opportunities. If you have a friend who’s starting a new business, ask if you can manage the digital marketing side of things. You can also volunteer for many organizations (either local or online). Don’t forget the importance of doing it for yourself. If you create your own business (selling CBD, for example), that shows the kind of entrepreneurship that many hiring managers admire.
Remember to get practice optimizing for mobile. Considering that nearly 75 percent of digital ad spending in 2019 was estimated to be mobile, you’ll impress employers with this skill.
4. Have a strong online presence
If you’re an expert on digital marketing but don’t have much of an online presence, then you aren’t going to impress any of your potential employers. After all, what shows off digital marketing as much as being good at selling the product that is you? Create a beautiful website, where employers can get a sense of who you are and why you’re the right fit. Include a resume, and if you’re blogging constantly, that shows off your writing skills, too. Don’t forget to update your social media profiles, including LinkedIn. That way, when an employer looks you up, you’ll shine.
We’re not kidding about the blogging bit, by the way. Content marketing is still the most effective tactic for a 58 percent majority of marketing influencers, so high-quality content really works.
5. Make connections
Now that you’ve gotten the right certifications and education, built up your experience, and created a website and social media presence that expresses who you are, it’s time to make connections in the digital marketing industry. Join Facebook groups, and start making connections on Twitter. Look online for digital marketing networking events hosted by white label seo providers, and attend them in person if you can. Even a creative or media networking event will help you meet people who might be hiring, or who can get you in touch with someone who is.
LinkedIn is a great place to get started, considering that the number of users on LinkedIn is just above half a billion.
These are the top tips for breaking into the digital marketing industry. By following them, you’ll get the experience and education you need, as well as the ability to demonstrate to employers that you’re the right person for the job.
What other strategies do you think would be helpful in getting you a digital marketing job?
