One of the most talked-about industries that has changed the way business is done in recent years is the digital marketing industry. The introduction of Artificial Intelligence (AI), Augmented Reality (AR) and Virtual Reality (VR), and conversational marketing has completely changed the way we interact with the world and more importantly, the way we interact with our users. Even though we have left traditional forms of marketing behind and thought that digital marketing has peaked now, it is still expected to grow at a staggering CAGR of 30.2% to reach a value of USD 24.1 billion by 2028.
Today, digital marketing is one of the most relevant ways to reach customers. This dynamic sector is growing at a high rate and has the power to amaze us with groundbreaking campaigns. It's no exaggeration to say that this industry has become an essential component for any business looking to build an online presence and achieve its marketing goals.
This growing demand creates ample opportunities for those who want to build a career in this field. It's the perfect time for those who want to build a career in this transformative industry. So, let's talk about how you can break into the digital marketing industry.
1. How do I get started?
Before you begin your digital marketing journey, start by understanding the latest digital marketing practices, finding your niche, and specializing in your area of interest. This strategic approach will also help you align your skills and expertise with employers' needs and stand out in a competitive job market. Here are some of the most popular areas of digital marketing:
Paid Search Ads: It's a cost-effective way to reach potential customers and generate leads.
Influencer Marketing: We work with individuals to increase brand exposure on social media platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube.
Social Media Marketing: One of the most common forms of online marketing is social media marketing. You use social media platforms to connect with your audience to build your brand, increase sales, and drive website traffic.
Email Marketing: This particular niche of digital marketing helps in strengthening customer relationships through targeted email content and promotions.
Organic Marketing: If you want to drive traffic to your website but have a limited budget, organic marketing is the way to go. Some brands believe it is important to spend at least some cash to acquire customers, but that is not always the case as around 70-80% of online users prefer organic search results over paid ads. This is also the reason why the first five organic results in the SERPs get the most clicks.
AI in Digital Marketing: The use of AI in marketing has grown by 55% in just four years. AI helps in data collection, data analysis, brainstorming ideas, content creation, and more. AI in digital marketing is just starting to take shape, but as the technology evolves, the possibilities for how AI can help marketers are endless.
2. Master the basics
Once you’ve found your niche, to succeed in the digital marketing industry you’ll need to develop a unique combination of creative, technical and analytical abilities. This includes skills such as research and data analysis, basic knowledge of search engine optimization (SEO) and search engine marketing (SEM), basic design abilities, knowledge of digital marketing tools, and critical thinking abilities.
In addition to these foundational skills, you will also need to develop technical expertise based on the field you choose. For example, if you want to pursue a career in email marketing, you will need to develop skills like email list building and segmentation, campaign management, etc. On the other hand, if you want to start a career in organic marketing, you will need to hone technical skills like search engine optimization (SEO), content marketing, and content distribution methods.
3. Improve your skills with dynamic courses
With the abundance of resources available on the internet in the form of articles, blog posts, videos, etc., it is natural to feel overwhelmed and not know where to start. In such cases, online courses can put you on the path to certified success. These courses will help you get the essential training on the core concepts and tools of digital marketing. So, it can be a short-term course, a diploma course, or even a job-guaranteed course like the ones offered by Internshala.
Internshala's courses consist of an extensive course curriculum that teaches the fundamentals of digital marketing, popular AI tools used in digital marketing like Gemini, Copilot, Optimo, and other necessary skills that are in line with industry trends. Moreover, Internshala guarantees a job for learners upon completion of the course. This includes helping them land a good job opportunity by holding resume writing classes, helping them prepare for interviews, and more.
4. Create a portfolio that stands out
When applying for jobs, it's paramount to create a strong portfolio that highlights your skills, achievements, and successful endeavors. For example, if you're applying for an internship or job in paid search advertising, your portfolio can include campaign performance reports, ad copy, and ad test results. On the other hand, if you're looking to become a social media marketer, your portfolio should include a combination of user-generated content campaigns and social media analytics reports.
5. Finally, kickstart your dream career with an internship
Internships are a great opportunity to explore your field of interest. Whether you want to go into content creation, social media marketing, organic marketing or whatever, internships will not only equip you with valuable skills in different fields through hands-on experience but also help you validate your existing skill set. You can make use of platforms such as Internshala, India's largest internship portal, to find the right internship. Moreover, internships provide you with an opportunity to network with industry professionals and help you get the right career guidance and well-deserved job introductions.
About the author: Ferhan Hazarika is the VP of Marketing and Growth at Internshala, a career tech platform.
Disclaimer: This is a syndicated feed. This article has not been edited by the FPJ editorial team.
