Digital marketing is a relatively new field that seeks to improve the digital presence of a business and support the brand across digital outlets. But what does that mean for those who want to work in this field? It is not uncommon for students, or young professionals to identify a field of study but have no real idea of what that will mean for the trajectory of their career. While this might feel adventurous and exciting to some, to others it can create anxiety about if their coursework, and chosen major, will result in a successful and profitable career in the future
One thing you can be sure of, is that digital marketing is quickly becoming the most modern approaches towards business strategies aimed at getting noticed. With technology being ever present and nowadays a top consideration for growing companies, it is never a bad idea to seek out a career path that features technology in some way, shape, or form. Below is some information on how to work towards this field as a student, as well as four prospective career paths that you can take post-graduation.
As a Student
If you are a hopeful, or current college student considering this career path, there are some tips to think about to enhance your experience and set you up in the best spot possible for the job of your dreams after you graduate. First, you need to research your school of choice and determine if you will even be able to take the courses necessary to graduate with a degree in this sector. Once you have narrowed down those options you will need to be sure that you can handle the financial aspect of college.
Student loans are one of, if not the most common way to cover tuition payments. There are many variables involved and you can secure funding in many ways, one of which is going through a private lender. You can research what it means to take out student loans from a private lender in advance of applying so that you know what to expect. With this option you can expect a little more flexibility that with government loans and repayment terms that differ as well.
By researching career paths for digital marketing majors, you can learn about what size salaries you can expect from certain roles, and how that will factor into your debt repayment plans down the road. While these figures can never be planned to the penny, they will serve as a guide for informed decision making. Different course in college will cost you different amounts as well, and it is in your best interest to be sure that the courses you take, and pay for, coincide with your career goals, so that you are not wasting your time, and your money.
Social Media Marketing
Social media is no longer just for personal use, as businesses all over the globe have taken to this platform as a main part of their marketing and advertising strategy, and for good reason. The outreach that you can gain from even just one social media account is huge, multiply that by several different platforms, and you can unlock thousands, if not millions, of opportunities for exposure. Smart business owners know this and have wasted no time building departments within their corporations dedicated solely to social media management.
Social media marketing is different than being a general user though and goes beyond creating posts and responding to comments. If you want to deliver high quality content for your social media marketing campaign you will have to research your target market and get to know your audience in detail to be successful. This is where a social media marketing professional is of high value. As someone who holds this position you should be savvy at post performance analysis and use data-driven strategies to maintain cohesion across all branding efforts.
Search Engine Optimization (SEO)
Another popular area of marketing gaining traction quickly is search engine optimization. This refers to the strategies involved with getting your business to rank higher on search engines like Google. As an SEO professional you should expect to research words and phrases consumers are using to search for information online and use those terms within your content and branding strategies.
Some typical ways that you can improve a sites SEO include content indexing, good link structure, keywords, and keyword targeting. By studying digital marketing specifically, you should assume that at some point in your studies, SEO will be a focus. Since basically every type of company advertises online in some capacity, the need and desire to have high performing sites is essential and as an SEO specialist this is what you will bring to the table.
Copywriting
As you gain experience in the digital marketing world, you will quickly realize just how much writing is involved. As a copywriter your job will be to produce a wide range of content that includes taglines, product descriptions, emails, advertisements, and more. Some copywriting roles are also responsible for the creation of non-digital content such as video scripts and direct mail. You will need a strong writing background to compete in this field, so if this is an interest, consider pairing your digital marketing major with a minor that is centered around writing so that you can build up a portfolio to present to future employers when needed.
Web Designer
As a web designer you will plan, create, and code internet sites and web pages. While this is not a direct route as a digital marketer, it is closely related. If you are especially tech savvy, and have a creative flair, this could be a great choice for you. Projects withing this sector can include working on a brand-new website from start to finish or updating an already existing site so that it performs at a higher level. There is a certain level of autonomy that comes with this type of role and here you may be able to find work as a member of a larger team, or as an independent contractor or consultant.