We compiled this beginners’ guide to starting a digital marketing career in 2023 as digital marketing is a rapidly growing field. With the rise of technology, businesses are increasingly relying on digital marketing strategies to reach their target audience and stay competitive in today’s market. As a result, the demand for qualified and skilled digital marketers is on the rise, making it an attractive career option for individuals who are passionate about marketing and technology.

Major conclusions from industry reports highlights the growing demand for skilled digital marketers.

The Digital Marketing Institute’s 2020 Digital Marketing Skills Report found that 69% of marketers believe there is a skills gap in the industry, and 82% think that their organizations need to invest more in digital marketing training.

The Hootsuite Social Trends Report 2023 revealed that social media usage is on the rise, with over half of the world’s population now using social media platforms. This creates a significant opportunity for businesses to reach their target audience through social media marketing.

According to LinkedIn’s Emerging Jobs Report 2022, digital marketing roles such as digital marketing specialists, social media managers, and content strategists are among the fastest-growing job categories in the United Kingdom and the United States.

These reports demonstrate that digital marketing is a rapidly evolving field with increasing demand for skilled professionals who can help businesses navigate the complex world of online marketing.

From the consumer’s point of view, in today’s digital age, more people are spending their time online than ever before. This shift in consumer behaviour has led businesses to focus on digital marketing to reach their target audience effectively.

Therefore, digital marketing is an essential aspect of modern business operations that offers significant career growth potential. As technology continues to evolve and businesses rely more heavily on online channels to connect with customers, the demand for skilled digital marketers will continue to rise.

Why Choose a Career in Digital Marketing?

Digital marketing is a rapidly growing field with numerous benefits for those considering a career in this industry. 

Here are some reasons why you should consider pursuing a career in digital marketing:

High Demand: The demand for skilled digital marketers is on the rise, and this trend is expected to continue in the coming years. According to a report by LinkedIn, digital marketing roles such as social media managers, content strategists, and SEO specialists are among the fastest-growing job categories in the United Kingdom & the United States. This high demand for digital marketing professionals creates numerous job opportunities across various industries.

Diverse Job Opportunities: Digital marketing encompasses a wide range of disciplines, including social media marketing, content marketing, email marketing, search engine optimization (SEO), pay-per-click (PPC) advertising, and more. This diversity provides individuals with the opportunity to explore different areas of interest within digital marketing and find a role that best suits their skills and interests.

Potential for Growth: Digital marketing is an ever-evolving industry that requires individuals to stay up-to-date with the latest trends and technologies. As such, there is ample opportunity for growth and development within this field.

 

Industry experts also recognize the benefits of pursuing a career in digital marketing. For instance, Neil Patel – one of the world’s leading online marketers – notes that “digital marketing offers endless opportunities for creativity and innovation.” He emphasizes that “there’s always something new to learn” in this industry.

In conclusion, pursuing a career in digital marketing can be highly rewarding due to its high demand, diverse job opportunities, and potential for growth. With proper training and an eagerness to learn new skills, individuals can succeed in this exciting field and make valuable contributions to businesses looking to expand their online presence.

Types of Jobs & Salaries in Digital Marketing

Digital marketing is a broad field that offers a variety of job opportunities for individuals with different skills and interests. 

Here are some of the most common types of jobs in digital marketing, along with their responsibilities, required skills, average salaries, and potential for career advancement:

1. Content Strategist: A content strategist is responsible for developing and executing a content strategy that aligns with the overall marketing goals of an organization. This includes creating engaging blog posts, social media updates, email newsletters, and other forms of content. Required skills include excellent writing and editing abilities, analytical thinking, and familiarity with SEO best practices. According to Glassdoor, the average salary for a content strategist is around $72k per year.
2. SEO Specialist: An SEO specialist helps businesses improve their search engine rankings by optimizing website content and implementing technical SEO strategies. Responsibilities may include conducting keyword research, analyzing website traffic data, and creating link-building campaigns. Required skills include knowledge of Google Analytics and other SEO tools, as well as strong analytical thinking abilities. The average salary for an SEO specialist is approximately $53k per year according to Glassdoor.
3. Social Media Manager: A social media manager oversees an organization’s social media presence across various platforms such as Facebook, Twitter, Instagram etc., including creating content calendars and developing engagement strategies. Required skills include excellent communication abilities, creative thinking capabilities and experience using social media management tools such as Hootsuite or Sprout Social. According to PayScale.com, the average salary for a social media manager is around $50k per year.
4. PPC Specialist: A PPC (pay-per-click) specialist creates online advertising campaigns on platforms like Google Ads or Facebook Ads to drive traffic to websites or landing pages while keeping costs low by targeting specific audiences based on demographics or behaviours. Required skills include proficiency in Google Ads/Adsense platforms, analytical thinking abilities, and experience with paid advertising tools such as AdEspresso or Wordstream. The average salary for a PPC specialist is about $51k per year according to Glassdoor.

As evident from the above, digital marketing offers numerous job opportunities with competitive salaries along with prospects for growth where individuals can develop new skill sets within the field while contributing towards business goals.

How to Get Started in Digital Marketing

As a rapidly growing field, digital marketing offers numerous job opportunities for individuals with various skill sets. 

Here are some tips for beginners to get started in their journey towards a successful digital marketing career:

Gain Practical Skills: To succeed in digital marketing, it’s essential to have practical skills and hands-on experience. One way to gain practical skills is through internships or apprenticeships with marketing agencies or businesses. These opportunities provide real-world experience while allowing beginners to learn from experienced professionals.

Take Online Courses: Taking online courses can help beginners acquire the foundational knowledge necessary for a career in digital marketing. Several platforms offer courses on topics such as SEO, social media marketing, content marketing, and more. Some popular options include Google’s Digital Garage, Udemy, Coursera, and globally recognised courses in digital marketing by the Digital Marketing Institute and its network of partners.

Build a Professional Network: Building a professional network is crucial for success in any industry, including digital marketing. Attending industry events and conferences or joining relevant online communities can help beginners connect with like-minded professionals and stay up-to-date on the latest trends and technologies.

Practice Continuous Learning: The digital marketing industry is constantly evolving, so it’s essential to stay up-to-date with the latest trends and technologies by practising continuous learning through reading blogs, attending webinars, and listening to podcasts about the industry.

Use Digital Marketing Tools: There are several tools available that can help beginners learn about digital marketing and improve their skills, such as Google Analytics for tracking website traffic data or Hootsuite for managing social media accounts. Other popular tools include SEMrush for keyword research, Canva for creating graphics, and Mailchimp for email campaigns.

 

Building Your Digital Marketing Career

Starting a career in digital marketing requires acquiring practical skills through internships or online courses, building a professional network, practising continuous learning through resources such as blogs & webinars & using popular tools available within the industry. By following these tips, beginners can start their journey towards becoming successful digital marketers.

Here are some tips for building a successful career in digital marketing:

Network with Industry Professionals: Building relationships with industry professionals is crucial for success in digital marketing. Attend industry events and conferences, join online communities, and connect with other professionals on social media platforms like LinkedIn or Twitter.

Stay Up-to-Date with Industry Trends: The digital marketing landscape is constantly evolving, so it’s essential to stay up-to-date with the latest trends and technologies by following industry blogs, attending webinars, and listening to podcasts about the industry. This helps keep your skills relevant and valuable to potential employers.

Continuously Improve Your Skills: Digital marketing requires a combination of technical and creative skills, so it’s essential to continuously improve these skills through courses, certifications or by taking up new projects that challenge you.

Specialize in an Area of Expertise: To stand out in the competitive field of digital marketing it’s beneficial to specialize in an area of expertise such as SEO or Social Media Marketing. This can help you become known as an expert within your niche, leading to more job opportunities.

Build a Strong Portfolio: A strong portfolio showcasing your work can help you stand out when applying for jobs or pitching clients as it demonstrates proof of your experience & capabilities. Be sure to include examples of campaigns you’ve worked on, analytics data showing results achieved & any feedback received from clients or superiors.

Seek Mentorship: Finding a mentor who has experienced success in digital marketing can provide invaluable guidance and advice throughout your career journey.

Success Stories

Several individuals have started from scratch and built successful careers in digital marketing through hard work and dedication. For example, Neil Patel started his career creating websites for businesses before transitioning into SEO consulting where he became known as one of the top experts in the field. 

Another example is Ann Handley who began her career as a journalist before becoming a content marketer where she has since authored multiple books on writing engaging content.

We, Zimbabwe DMI Alumni, also have our own Tofara Chokera who is the CEO and Founder of TofaraOnline a Digital Marketing and Innovation Consulting Trust. Her trust aims at empowering women and MSMEs to embrace digital marking and innovative tech-driven solutions for business and career development.

Building a successful career in digital marketing takes time but by networking with industry professionals, staying up-to-date with industry trends, continuously improving your skills & specializing in an area of expertise building a strong portfolio & seeking mentorship individuals can achieve great success within this exciting field.

Conclusion

In conclusion, digital marketing is a fast-paced and rewarding field that offers numerous opportunities for growth and success. Here are the key takeaways from this blog post:

1. • Gain practical skills through internships or online courses.

• • Stay up-to-date with industry trends by following industry blogs, attending webinars, and listening to podcasts about the industry.

• • Continuously improve your skills by taking courses or certifications or taking up new projects that challenge you.

• • Specialize in an area of expertise such as SEO or Social Media Marketing.

• • Build a strong portfolio showcasing your work.

By following these tips, you can start your journey towards building a successful career in digital marketing. It’s important to remember that building a career takes time and dedication but the rewards are well worth it.

So if you have a passion for digital marketing, don’t hesitate to take action towards building your career today! Whether it’s networking with industry professionals, taking courses or certifications, or seeking mentorship – every step you take will bring you closer to achieving your goals within this exciting field.