The digital landscape has become increasingly intertwined with our lives, and the future of marketing lies not solely in technology but in the combination of talent and tech, as highlighted by DMI-led research titled ‘Perpetual Evolution.’ This realization opens up opportunities for companies to reap long-term rewards.
Given the significant number of people engaging in online activities such as gaming, work, and shopping, it’s no surprise that digital marketing is a top priority for marketing departments. Organizations are investing substantial time and money into digital marketing to remain relevant in customers’ minds and build profitable brands. In fact, digital advertising spending in the U.S. is projected to exceed $200 billion by 2022.
Whether you aspire to be a digital marketer or want to enhance your skills, there are specific tactics and steps you can take to succeed in any position. Whether you choose to work as a freelancer or secure a high-level digital marketing role, there are numerous job opportunities available with competitive salaries for marketers possessing relevant and up-to-date skills.
So, how can you become the agile and sought-after digital marketer that companies are seeking? Here are seven tips to help you specialize, strategize, and advance your career in digital marketing:
- Attend Networking Events: While digital marketing knowledge is widely accessible through podcasts and online articles, attending conferences provides unique benefits that other sources can’t replicate. These events offer the opportunity to listen to industry experts, learn from top digital marketing professionals, and gain insights into future trends. Workshops and presentations at conferences can help you enhance your digital skill set and deepen your understanding of the field. Additionally, networking events enable you to build valuable relationships with peers and mentors.
- Learn from Digital Marketing Brands and Entrepreneurs: If attending a professional conference is not feasible for you at this stage, there is a wealth of valuable content available online to support your digital marketing career. Digital marketing thought leaders, with their experience and expertise, have created accessible content tailored for beginners. Industry experts like Neil Patel and Neal Schaffer offer articles, webinars, and other resources that can enhance your knowledge. Additionally, DMI’s membership library is a valuable resource containing toolkits, e-books, and podcasts covering various digital marketing subjects and brands, catering to both newcomers and experienced marketers.
By implementing these tips and leveraging available resources, you can position yourself as a skilled and successful digital marketer, paving the way for a thriving career in the field.
Connect with a Community of Like-Minded Individuals and Peers Building online communities is a significant part of being a digital marketer. Whether it’s for your personal brand or a global organization, a strong community can make a tremendous difference in the success of your business. Therefore, actively engaging with like-minded individuals and peers is crucial.
Joining active digital marketing communities, whether online or offline, can help you understand the significance of your work and how it fits into the broader context of your business and life. As a student or member of DMI, you have the opportunity to be part of a global digital marketing community, where you can participate in forums, network, collaborate, and find support from your peers.
By sharing your challenges, seeking advice, or asking questions about unfamiliar areas of digital marketing, you can gain confidence in your abilities and push yourself to learn and experiment with new strategies and processes.
- Seek a Digital Marketing Internship Internships provide a valuable opportunity to work in a professional environment that challenges and stretches your capabilities. While internships can be demanding, being part of the right team allows you to learn from their mistakes and successes.
Internships not only help expand your digital marketing portfolio and experience but also enable you to discover your preferences in a work environment. With the diverse facets of digital marketing, you may realize that you excel in writing creative content independently or thrive in collaborative campaigns for new products or services.
While you can learn independently, an internship offers real-life experience and insights into the daily challenges faced by marketers. If you secure an internship, strive to maximize your experience by conducting additional research to impress your team. Here are some excellent resources to help you:
- Podcast: Kickstart your digital marketing career
- eBook: How to Become a Social Media Manager
- eBook: How to Become a Digital Manager
- Blog: How to Become a Social Selling Specialist
- Toolkit: Channel Performance Tracker
- Join a Professional Digital Marketing Body Did you know that becoming a certified member of a professional body isn’t limited to fields like architecture, law, or medicine?
Digital marketing is a global professional industry, and being a member of a recognized digital marketing body can enhance your credibility and differentiate you from competitors when pursuing your dream job.
Becoming part of a professional body often requires completing a certificate program. For aspiring digital marketers, earning a Professional Diploma in Digital Marketing can qualify you as a certified professional. This comprehensive course covers key elements of digital marketing in-depth, including:
- SEO: Understanding how it really works
- Pay-Per-Click marketing
- Email marketing strategy
- Social media management
- Website optimization
- Content marketing and online writing
By obtaining professional certification, you can demonstrate your expertise and commitment to continuous learning in the dynamic field of digital marketing.
Stay Updated on the Evolving Landscape of Digital Marketing Just as programs, apps, and social media platforms constantly evolve, so does the way marketers engage with their audiences. To keep up in the ever-changing field of digital marketing, it’s essential to stay informed and adaptable.
The good news is that staying up to date with industry trends isn’t difficult. There are informative digital marketing podcasts available, and reputable websites like HubSpot and our own membership library regularly publish well-researched articles covering a wide range of topics. These resources can keep you informed about new developments such as TikTok, the latest social media influencers, as well as more specific subjects like Core Web Vitals and the future of cookies.
Whether you subscribe to your favorite publications or make listening to podcasts part of your daily routine, deepening your understanding of the industry will help you become an expert in digital marketing.
- Embrace Lifelong Learning While formal education can provide a strong foundation for a career in digital marketing, learning should never stop once you step out of the classroom. Investing in continuous training throughout your career will help you become a standout digital marketer with diverse and in-demand skills.
As we mentioned earlier, the digital marketing industry is constantly evolving, and your knowledge should evolve along with it. If you have a passion for a specific area like PPC or SEO, or if you want to understand the best email marketing metrics or the effectiveness of marketing on WhatsApp, there are excellent digital marketing courses available that can provide answers to these questions and more. Don’t hesitate to invest in yourself and your professional growth.
Take your career to the next level with a digital marketing course Whether you aspire to launch a successful online business or advance to a senior marketing position, the digital marketing industry offers abundant opportunities for those who are willing to invest time in honing their skills. Supercharge your career by enrolling in DMI’s Professional Diploma in Digital Marketing, where you can learn the fundamental principles of digital marketing as well as specialized areas like analytics, digital strategy, and website optimization.
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