We live in a time where everything is online. Want to buy groceries? Order them online. You don’t want to stand in a long queue to pay your bill? That’s fine because you can pay it online. Want to book a ticket? Book it online. You get the point.

The growing popularity of the virtual world has created various opportunities for businesses to increase their revenues. Several digital marketing tools are incorporated to build a strong online presence.

Therefore, digital marketing is getting immense hype. We get asked a lot if being a digital marketer is a good career? Do you get paid well? Is it a tough job? If you are wondering if it’s a career worth pursuing, then we are here to answer all of your questions in this blog.

What is Digital Marketing?

When you google something you will see highlighted blogs at the top of the page. There must be some reason for that, right? When you use Instagram, sometimes you will see sponsored ads. When you are watching videos on youtube, an ad will play. This is all part of digital marketing.

Digital marketing is simply promoting your products or service through various digital channels.

There are different types of digital marketing tools that include:

What Skill Do You Need to Succeed as a Digital Marketer?

Since the digital marketing industry is vast, you need to have a set of skills that will set you apart from your competition. Some skills require comprehensive knowledge, and others may be easy to pick up.

There are a set of skills you need to succeed in this business. The following list represents the skills top-tier digital marketers should have.

1. SEO and SEM

Imagine writing a well-written and comprehensive blog, but still not getting any reads on it. It is possible that your knowledge of SEO and SEM may be lacking, or it is also possible that you simply didn’t implement it properly. Such is the paramountcy of these two concepts.

Search engine optimization (SEO) and search engine marketing (SEM) are the strategies that drive traffic to your website. The importance of using relevant keywords has grown more than ever because of the ever-evolving algorithm of Google.

Due to global competition, it is crucial to have a solid understanding of their dynamics to fast-track your way up the corporate ladder. This will help you to push your content to the right people at the right time.

2. Data Analysis

Data analytics refers to the use of functional procedures and modern software to collect and process a wide range of data from different online interactions of your target market.

This comprises two main things: monitoring and implementing. Monitoring is detailed information on where your traffic comes from and consists of relevant online footprints. This covers different forms of content consumed, search queries, etc.

So what do we do with the data we have? That’s the best aspect of data analytics. Marketing strategies should be based on the analysis of the data that will boost traffic and conversions.

You can use tools like Google Analytics to get proper insight into the data you have collected. That will help you make important marketing decisions.

One important thing to remember is data cleansing which refers to the process of eliminating incorrect or duplicated data. You need to spot outdated data and take it out of your database so that you don’t end up making ineffective decisions.

3. Email Marketing

It is commonly believed that email marketing is outdated or not as relevant, but in reality, it has proven to be quite beneficial.

Email marketing is one of the most effective ways to develop a competitive relationship with your customers. Moreover, it is an excellent way to reach more people.

The key is to come up with catchy titles and engaging content. Make sure that you are not spamming your audience with too many emails. Not only does this look unprofessional but your email may end up in the spam folder, hence defeating the purpose of emails

You might want to keep the metrics, strategies, and the right tools in mind when it comes to email marketing.

4. Social Media

Can you think of any person who isn’t on social media? More than half of the people on earth use social media. That is how important social media has become. For any business to succeed, it is vital for it to understand all the dynamics of social media marketing.

You can use social media to engage with people through your brand and update them on your product or services. It is an invaluable tool that should be handled effectively. There’s more to social media than just posting.

It would be fruitful to be aware of user engagement on all platforms and understand the concept of analysis engagement.

Since each social media platform is unique, each platform should be utilized to cater to different internal business goals. Therefore, separate strategies can be made to increase engagement.

Social media strategy shouldn’t be just about posting. It’s about the sort of content that is to be posted, the tone of content, the number of hashtags to use, etc. The right and wrong use of social media can make or break your brand.

5. Content Marketing

Can you think of one thing that is common among different types of digital marketing tools?

Videos, advertisements, emails- they all have content. Even the idea of SEO and SEM is based on content. Without it, you will be just looking at a blank canvas.

To dominate this game, you have to master the art of SEO-friendly content creation that maximizes customer engagement and reach. The right approach would involve carrying out proper research before sharing any sort of content.

Let’s take blog writing as an example. Keyword and trending topics research is done before you start writing your blog as it increases the chances of your article appearing on the first page of google. This establishes brand credibility over time.

Beth Comstock, who is the vice president of General Electric said, “You can’t sell anything if you can’t tell anything.” This statement sums up everything that we have to say about the importance of content marketing.

6. Customer Relationship Management

Have you ever ordered something online, and received the wrong order? How did the company in charge respond to your complaint? Did they accept their mistake and exchange the product? Or did they deny responsibility?

What happens when a company owns up to its mistakes? It creates brand loyalty. This is why customer relationship management (CRM) is so essential for any brand or company to survive.

Customer relationship management (CRM) is all about monitoring and maximising customer experience. You can connect with your customers on a personal level through a better understanding of the needs of the customers as this leads to customer loyalty.

Empathy marketing, which means empathising with your target audience, is fundamental for any business. Since every customer is unique, you must understand what the customer is asking for and then respond accordingly. Make them feel they are valued and cared for.

Remember, customers are willing to pay more especially when the customer service is top-notch.

7. Design Skills

Have you ever stumbled upon an aesthetic Instagram page? Does it compel you to explore the entire account just because it is so aesthetically pleasing to look at?

Digital marketing isn’t just about the written content, it also requires a well-designed visual appearance. Therefore, you need to have some elementary knowledge of how to use software like Adobe Photoshop since digital marketing is driven by visuals. Good visuals increase engagement hence giving you more exposure than just written content.

This is why visual content like videos is becoming more popular as it is known to have a high conversion rate and SEO ranking. So, as a digital marketer, it would be wise to work on your design and editing.

How Much Do Digital Marketers Earn?

Now let’s talk about the most important thing: Money.

You might wonder how much you can earn with all of the skills mentioned above. Since digital marketing is currently trending and will continue to trend, you get paid quite a decent amount.

Salary for a digital marketer can depend on various things like experience, location, skill level, job position, etc. We will break down digital marketing salary by popular job roles so let’s dive right in.

1. Digital Marketing/ SEO Specialist

We know the power and significance of SEO, so it makes sense that people who specialize in it will have a high salary. The designation of Digital marketing specialist is listed as one of the most in-demand jobs by LinkedIn. Hence, SEO is one of the most popular and desired skills today.

A Digital marketing or SEO Specialist is someone who has in-depth knowledge of SEO, email marketing, PPC, and other digital marketing tools.

SEOers focus on how to get clients to rank on the first page of google to drive organic traffic to their website. They are also in charge of managing online campaigns and coming up with strategies to beat the algorithm, which is why they have an immense awareness of the latest trends.

Their average salary is around $50K/£32k per year(this varies with geographical location and experience). If you want to be an SEO specialist, then you need to have 7 to 8 years of experience.

2. Social Media Manager

Nowadays, it is crucial to have a strong social media presence to survive in this intense global competition.

This is why all the big and successful businesses have proper social media teams.

Businesses use social media platforms for the purpose of expanding their networks, and informing their customers about their products and services. The job of social media managers is to increase the reach and engagement of their social media accounts. This helps bridge the gap between the company and its customers as it builds brand loyal customers.

Social media managers have to come up with strategies that will grow the business’s online presence. This includes tasks like running ads, scheduling, and creating posts.

Talking about the salary, they can earn around $45k/£30 per year. The more experience you have, the higher the pay will be. People who have more than ten years of experience can earn up to $65k/£54k per year(not bad, right?)

3. Content Strategist

If SEO is the King, then the content is the Queen. This sentence alone might tell you the importance of content in the world of digital marketing.

Content strategists have in-depth knowledge of keyword research, have SEO skills, and analytics skills. Their role is to manage a team of writers who work under them, develop editorial calendars, and create different types of compelling content.

Type of content includes blog posts, scripts for videos, articles, and creating content for social media posts. Therefore, to become a content strategist, you should have a variety of skills and be an expert in coming up with exceptional content.

Their pay is usually around $61/ £40 per year. This pay can vary according to the level of experience or how big the company is for which they are working.

4. E-commerce Specialist

E-commerce and online shopping have taken over the world, and they don’t seem to stop dominating in-store shopping anytime soon. Therefore, e-commerce marketing specialists are sought after since there is high demand for them.

What is the role of e-commerce marketing specialists?

They are in charge of managing the development and maintenance of e-commerce websites that will lead to maximum revenue generations.

They are also responsible for coming up with digital marketing strategies that will help the business to sell more products. Some other tasks include managing marketing campaigns, implementing SEO for the store’s website, and identifying opportunities using web analytics to increase growth.

They have an excellent grasp of analytical skills and communication skills as they have to lead an entire team. Therefore, it is vital for them to convey their vision properly. .

An e-commerce specialist earns around $53k/£44k per year.

What are the Pros and Cons of Being a Digital Marketer?

Before you start anything new for the first time, it would be wise to weigh its pros and cons to see if it is worth pursuing.

We will talk about the pros and cons of digital marketing in detail so that you can judge for yourself if digital marketing is right for you.

The Pros of Becoming a Digital Marketer

1. Money

Money. Need we say anything more?

If you become a digital marketer, then you will earn around $75k/£62k per year. This is just the average amount which means you can earn way more depending on your experience and skills.

But, what if you start your own company? Then you can earn hundreds or even millions of dollars each year since this is the era of digital marketing. If you properly establish yourself, build your online presence, and work to incorporate different marketing tools effectively, then the sky’s the limit for you.

However, don’t just look at the money. You should be zealous enough to beat the competition.

2. Job Prospect

In this era, digital marketers are converted. Such is the demand for digital marketing nowadays. This will continue to rise which means that future job prospects are high.

Unlike traditional marketing, digital marketing can help you reach your audience globally. Big companies have realized the importance of digital marketing and the revenue it can generate.

Already, there are so many jobs related to digital marketing with high salaries like social media manager, e-commerce manager, etc. Imagine what the future job prospects will be when this market expands even more.

Don’t think that it’s only trending now. It will continue to trend.

3. Never Mundane

If you get bored easily, then fret no more! This career is far from dull. Because of constant technological changes, you continuously have to come up with new methods and strategies to tackle problems.

What worked in the past doesn’t mean that it will work in the present or future. Digital marketers have to be at the top of their game.

You will constantly have to evolve your methods and thinking- which means that it will be challenging. You will have to think out of the box and get out of your comfort zone to beat the competition. If you are a creative person and enjoy challenges then chances are you will like this career.

The Cons of Becoming a Digital Marketer

1. Stressful

Because some aspects of digital marketing are constantly evolving, you have to be well-prepared for all the challenges you will have to face. This can be very stressful for some people as they like being in their comfort zone or they like knowing what’s about to happen.

As a digital marketer, there is no certainty or predictability. You have to constantly educate yourself due to constant technological changes, and this can be off-putting for some people.

If you have a digital marketing agency then your level of stress and work will be way higher. So if this is too much for you then might want to think of an ulterior career path instead.

2. Screen time

Almost all of the work you do in digital marketing is done on a desktop/laptop. That means that you will spend a lot of time sitting in front of your laptop, staring at your screen.

This can lead to problems like back and vision issues. If you already have weak eyesight, then there are chances of you getting bad headaches. Your focus and quality of work would be affected if you suffer from these difficulties.

3. Competitive

The life of a digital marketer is not easy. You will face competition from everywhere and surviving in this competition is not a piece of cake.

We are constantly being bombarded with advertisements from all sides. When you open your social media, you will see influencers and companies coming up with excellent and compelling content to win you over. In such fierce competition, it’s very hard for you to stand out. This requires intense hard work.

As a digital marketer, you prepare yourself to deal with multiple demons at the same time. You will not only have to come up with smart content but you will also have to manage and market yourself.

Also, you will not see the fruit of your labor in the short run. This is a very long battle in which you will have to put in a lot of money and effort to beat the competition.

In conclusion, this job can make you quite restless.

How to Get Started with Digital Marketing?

You have learned about the skills you need, digital marketers’ salary, and the pros and cons of being a digital marketer. Now what? If you have decided that this is the career you want to have, then you must be wondering how you can get started?

How and where to start is very crucial. Remember, along your way, you will mess up which is totally fine as it’s a part of the growth. Let’s move on to some of the most important steps that you need to follow in order to get started.

1. Buyer Persona

Before you start, It is crucial to know who your target audience is. Everything comes after this as you have to build your entire strategy and content around it.

What is a buyer persona? It’s when you define who you need to reach out to and communicate through various digital marketing tools. This includes information like their likes and dislikes, behaviors, demographics, etc.

If you have a clear picture in your mind of who to target, then you will move toward creating content.

2. Creating Content

Without content, digital marketing is hollow so focusing on creating compelling content is essential. Your target audience should be kept in mind while making the content.

Content just doesn’t include blogs. It includes various things like email, social media posts, video scripts, podcasts, etc. An awareness of SEO friendly is the key to success.

Only with proper keyword research can you beat the competition.You have to create content in such a way that it will reach the audience and it will gain enough attention on the internet. In order to stand out, focus on creativity and go beyond limits.

3. Online Presence

After you are done creating content, now comes the most important part: marketing yourself.

Coming up with an effective strategy for building a strong online presence is necessary. You need to advertise your content all across social media platforms so that more people will get to know about your work or brand.

Most people think that all you have to do is post on social media about your work and you are good to go. Having this sort of mindset can be dangerous for your business. Using tools like Google Analytics can be helpful to see at what time is your audience most active. Then comes the stage of devising a strategy related to how many times you should post, how many people you should follow, etc. .

If you want to spend money on advertisements, then a budget should be kept in mind. You can ask influencers to promote your product or brand. If you are starting new and you don’t have much budget, then focusing on growing your reach organically would be the right way to go.

4. Analyze the Outcome

Now comes the final step: results analysis. When you are trying to build your online presence, you need to know what’s working for you and what’s not.

Any digital marketing campaign is incomplete without insights and statistics. You must always be aware of your lead generations, social media followers, and content sharing.

If you are not getting the results that you want, it’s a red flag which means you need to alter your strategy. Continue to experiment and see what brings in the best results.

To check insights, use marketing tools like Google Analytics, ConvertKit, Buffer, etc.

Conclusion

No doubt, starting a career in digital marketing can sound daunting and overwhelming, but the digital marketing economy is expanding at a fast pace. This indicates that in the future, demand for digital marketers will exceed the supply so there can be certain job security.

Don’t let fear hold you back. If it’s something that you are truly passionate about, then go ahead. Show the world what you are capable of. Tell a story with your content that people can resonate with.

Seth Godin, an American author, and former dot com business executive said, “Marketing is no longer about the stuff that you make, but about the stories you tell”.

Is Digital Marketing a Good Career in 2022?