Nowadays, brands are opting for digital marketing more than ever before. Thus, this is the best time to dip your foot into digital marketing.
Taking the right step at the right time is one of the most important steps in building a successful career. It is common for beginners to get carried away, especially if it is not a career that requires a degree, just like digital marketing.
This article will serve as the ultimate guide for anyone wondering about how to start a career as a digital marketer.
The Ultimate Guide to Start a Career in Digital Marketing
To kickstart your career in Digital Marketing, here are a few things you need to do:
1. Build your Skills
The 21st century is the best time to learn and master new skills online. In today’s time, learning resources are present literally everywhere. Be it blogs, YouTube channels, podcasts, courses, seminars, or webinars, information is present everywhere.
As a digital marketer, you are expected to be well-versed in a plethora of skills like designing, copywriting, SEO, advertising, and more. Thus, you should first focus on sharpening your existing skills and then work on learning the new ones.
You can learn from various blogs like Neil Patel’s, HubSpot, Ahrefs, etc. for free. You can also take a digital marketing course with placement to get equipped with digital marketing skills and get placed in a good company.
2. Create your portfolio
Now that you have developed your skills, you need to make a portfolio to present it better. The best way to do this is by building a presence online.
One can think of opening a YouTube channel, creating a website, running a blog, or creating an optimized social media profile. Make use of social media platforms to create content online and show your creativity in the best possible manner. The stronger your online presence, the more your chances of getting noticed and being hired by employers.
While creating a strong digital presence, you should also build your personal brand. Put yourself in front of thousands of people, probably your potential clients, and show them how you can add value to their business. Personal branding can do wonders for one’s career in digital marketing.
3. Apply for Internships
If you want to become a chef, you will cook some dishes yourself to practice rather than just relying on YouTube tutorials to learn the skill, right?
Digital marketing is nothing different. While learning digital marketing, practical exposure is way more important than theoretical knowledge. Trial and error is the key to learning and understanding what works and what doesn’t.
A digital marketing internship will give you hands-on experience on various topics like SEO, website development, or content creation. Additionally, it will also help you.
u expand your professional network. So, keep building your portfolio while applying for internships and it will open many new gates for you in the industry.
4. Get certifications and Testimonials
Nobody trusts a person who has no evidence to back up his/her claims. Professional certifications, testimonials, and case studies can help you gain credibility for your work. People trust your work if some testimonials or certifications tell your employers about your skill set. This will help you to stand out from the crowd in front of an employer.
You can easily earn professional certifications from sites like Board Infinity. But, how should you build case studies and get testimonials? Well, for this, you can apply for internships and build case studies out of them. At the end of the internship, you can ask your manager for a testimonial. After this, you can use these testimonials and case studies to apply for more jobs or get more clients if you are a freelancer.
5. Start Networking
Now that you’ve already dipped your foot into the industry and gained some experience, you should start networking. Put yourself out there and connect with people working in similar fields.
Try to build genuine connections, both offline and online via LinkedIn, Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook. These connections will prove to be incredibly helpful to you in case you need suggestions, feedback, or even referrals.
6. Keep Upskilling
Digital marketing is an ever-changing industry and you should make sure to keep up with it. Learn to adapt and adjust your skills as per the requirements of the industry. You will also have to keep up with the changing algorithms of Google, YouTube, and social media platforms.
Make sure to follow industry leaders, influencers, blogs, newsletters, and YouTube channels as this will always keep you updated with the changes in the industry. They also share important insights into the industry which is a cherry on top for you.
So, one of the important things is to make sure to always upskill and keep yourself updated accordingly.
Wrapping up
Digital Marketing is one of the fastest-growing industries in the world today. With the advent of the digital revolution, the need for digital marketers is only going to increase. The field has a huge potential, even if you’re starting out your career. Things will surely get tough at times but perseverance is the key to attaining success.
