Editor's note: We earn commissions from Forbes Advisor partner links. Commissions do not influence editors' opinions or ratings.
Digital marketing management is a timely career choice for innovative thinkers who want to work at the cutting edge of their field.
With print advertising on the decline, digital marketing channels have emerged as a key means of reaching and retaining customers. Digital marketing specialists help businesses use these powerful channels effectively.
Our guide details how to become a digital marketing manager. Learn more about these manager jobs, discover job prospects in the field, and explore steps into this career.
What is a Digital Marketing Manager?
roles and responsibilities
A digital marketing manager oversees an employer's or client's electronic media marketing strategy, including channels such as email, social media, blogs, websites, and SMS.
Digital Marketing Managers leverage creativity, data analysis, and leadership skills to promote products and services, focus on customer needs and industry trends, increase brand awareness, and help companies grow .
These experts are a team of experts who specialize in areas such as search engine optimization (SEO), search engine marketing (SEM), content writing, email marketing, pay-per-click advertising (PPC), and influencer marketing. often lead.
Work environment
Some digital marketing managers work for individual companies, gaining in-depth knowledge of the needs of customers in a particular industry. Some work for marketing or advertising agencies and have multiple clients in different industries. Leading marketing firms like Accenture and Deloitte Digital hire digital marketing managers, as do digital marketing pioneers like Razorfish.
Careers in marketing offer a wide range of remote work opportunities, especially in the technology industry and companies that sell primarily online. About 40% of his 2023 CMO survey respondents reported that their team worked exclusively from home, and 57% said they sometimes worked from home. Remote work means that many digital marketing specialists can accept work from anywhere without having to relocate.
How to become a digital marketing manager
Consider a course or degree in digital marketing
If you're planning a career in digital marketing, start by studying the field and building your skills and knowledge. How you choose to study depends on your background and personal strengths.
For example, if you just graduated from high school, you might pursue a traditional bachelor's degree in marketing or a bachelor's degree in business. Meanwhile, career changers who already have a bachelor's degree in another field may supplement their existing degree with a digital marketing bootcamp or opt for a short-term certificate program at an academic institution like UCLA or Oregon State University. You might like that.
Many employers prefer digital marketing manager candidates with a bachelor's degree or higher in marketing or business. Marketing and business majors often offer programs that specialize in digital marketing. However, digital marketing specialists come from a variety of educational backgrounds.
Even if you don't have a relevant degree, you can still learn job-related skills through bootcamps, certification programs, and low-cost or free online courses. If you want a more flexible schedule, you can also earn an online digital marketing degree.
Explore certifications
People often confuse certificates and certificates. Both certifications can help advance your career, but academic institutions issue certificates whereas industry leaders, such as companies or professional organizations, issue certificates. Certification requirements may include coursework, exams, previous degrees, and professional experience.
Earning certifications will help you showcase the skills and knowledge that employers are looking for. Digital marketing certifications often focus on key industry software, tools, and practices like SEO and PPC marketing. Popular digital marketing certification providers include American Marketing Association, HubSpot, Google, and Meta.
Develop your digital marketing portfolio
A strong portfolio will help you stand out among candidates with similar backgrounds. Think of your portfolio as an opportunity to market yourself as one of your most important customers.
A digital marketing portfolio typically includes several components.
- An “About” section that reflects your personality and describes your experience and qualifications
- Sample work to highlight your favorite campaigns and showcase your strengths
- Contact information such as email, phone number, and associated social media accounts
- your resume
Some professionals may also include blogs, customer testimonials, and a list of their rates and services.
build a network
Networking is one of the most effective job searches. According to his 2022 report from Aptitude Research, 54% of new employees found a job through an employee referral. If you're a student, your classmates may be one of the first places you make networking connections, as well as professors and internships.
As you progress towards your goals, attend marketing-focused events and conferences to connect with potential collaborators and mentors. Also, follow industry leaders, companies, and experts you admire on social media. Stay connected even when you're not looking for a job.
Digital Marketing Manager Salary and Job Outlook
Digital marketing managers are part of a fast-growing and forward-thinking field. According to Expert Market Research, the value of the global digital marketing industry was $363.05 billion in 2023 and is projected to grow to $1.1 trillion by 2032.
The COVID-19 pandemic has accelerated the marketing industry's shift to digital channels and increased overall marketing budgets. As the pandemic recedes, marketing budgets have declined to their pre-2020 levels, but the increasing digitization of daily life continues to drive more and more commerce activity online. According to his 2023 CMO Survey, digital marketing efforts account for an average of about 54% of a company's marketing budget, so now is a great time to consider becoming a digital marketer.
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reports that the 2023 median salary for all marketing managers, including digital marketing managers and managers in other marketing specialties, is $157,620. The BLS also projects that employment of these professionals will increase by 7% (twice the national average) from 2022 to 2032.
According to April 2024 salary data, individuals with the Digital Marketing Manager role earn an average annual salary of approximately $74,300. However, as marketing professionals gain experience and advance through the ranks, their positions may change as their earning potential increases. Directors of Digital Marketing earn approximately $112,000 per year, while Vice Presidents of Marketing earn an average annual salary of approximately $154,000.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ) about becoming a digital marketing manager
What skills does a digital marketing manager need?
Digital marketing managers need a combination of soft and hard skills. They must be creative and flexible thinkers with strong communication, project management and leadership skills. In terms of hard skills, proficiency in SEO, SEM, PPC, and data analysis is required.
How long does it take to become a digital marketing manager?
There is no set schedule for becoming a digital marketing manager. Earning a bachelor's degree in a related field typically takes about four years, and some professionals earn an MBA or master's degree in marketing, which usually takes an additional two years. The timeline varies for individuals studying in non-degree formats. After completing their education, they may spend several years in lower-level positions before moving into management positions.
Do I need a degree to become a digital marketer?
Although you don't need a degree to become a digital marketer, many people in this career have a bachelor's degree in marketing and business. Aspiring digital marketing specialists without a relevant degree can enter the profession through bootcamps, online courses, and self-study.
