Heading Up To 2023 With Curiosity: Is Digital Marketing A Good Career?

Digital marketing is marketing performed on digital channels to promote services or products.

It is a broad job that can include social media marketing, search engine optimization, email marketing, content creation, website marketing, and more.

Digital marketers often perform several of these functions. 

Self Reflection

Like any career, a great first step is taking time to reflect on your values and desires. Why do you want a career in digital marketing? Is it because of a business mission, flexibility, freedom, or value... There are so many possible answers to this question!

The important thing is to understand your desires and motives. Make sure it aligns with what you want. 

The Possibilities

How does this apply to marketing? How does this answer the question: Is digital marketing a good career for me?

Marketing is necessary for every industry - tech, manufacturing, hospitals, local nonprofits, restaurants, gyms, and many more. Every type of business you can think of needs some form of marketing.

That means that marketers have the opportunity to work for a business that interests them, which can contribute to increased job satisfaction. You can find a company that aligns with your values and interests. 

Digital marketing vs. marketing

So, is digital marketing a good career that offers job security? Job security is a big factor to consider when choosing a career. As stated before, marketing is essential in every industry.

Digital marketing is a growing branch of marketing. More and more businesses are using digital marketing strategies. Big brands that have successfully used digital marketing strategies include Airbnb, Sephora, Lyft, Netflix, Starbucks, and others.

They have strong brand names because they use good marketing strategies. 

Since the birth of the internet, the number of users has grown exponentially. Today in the US, over 90% of the population is online. That means there is an opportunity for digital marketers to help businesses reach many people. If a business isn't using digital channels to market itself, they are hindering its potential. 

Digital marketing is also trackable, unlike marketing. You can see how people interact and respond to content with analytics. This data helps digital marketers measure their strategies' success easily and contributes important and relevant information. 

Job Growth and Value

Now that we have established that marketing is essential for businesses. Is digital marketing a good career that expects job growth? The marketing field has a forecasted 10% job demand increase by 2026. According to ZipRecruiter, most of the demand is in areas that digital marketers specifically focus on, including website marketing, social media marketing, SEO, etc. 

A digital marketer's entry-level salary can range from $39,281 – $55,000. Many factors contribute to your salary: experience, location, company, benefits, etc. If you freelance, it will depend on experience, location, services you offer, and the number of clients.

Scheduling and Flexibility

Scheduling is based on what type of digital marketer you become. If you work for a company’s in-house marketing department or a marketing agency you are likely to work a set schedule. Some companies offer more flexibility than others. Your schedule would be dependent on your employer. 

There is another route. Is digital marketing a good career for a freelancer? Of course! Freelance is a growing workforce. If you like to have greater control of your schedule and increased flexibility then this may be the way to go. A good digital marketing freelancer will provide multiple marketing services for various businesses. 

Freedom

If you love to travel, then a career in digital marketing may be just for you. Because you create your schedule, you can create your ideal workload.

A lot of your work is independent and if you are self-disciplined you can make this lifestyle work. Flexibility is a pro for anyone, not just people who want to travel more.

You create your schedule, which empowers you to have a work-life balance. The workload can be whatever is the best fit for you. 

Challenges Worth Considering

As a digital marketer, you must keep up with the latest trends, consumer behavior, and software. Learning will be ongoing. 

Keep in mind that you will be competing with millions of other companies. Every business is trying to reach consumers. To capture an audience, you should provide valuable information in captivating ways. Relevancy is key. 

Digital marketers have access to a lot of data. You will need to learn what data to use and how. You may initially have difficulty with this skill.

Can I become a digital marketer?

Is digital marketing a good career for someone with no experience in marketing? Do you have transferable skills and a learning mindset? If you answered yes! Then you could pursue a career in digital marketing. 

You may have other work experience that will help you in this new career. Some transferable skills may be goal-oriented, analytical, innovative, great communicator, and more. You will need to do some self-reflecting, but you likely have many transferable skills. 

If you have a learning mindset then that will help you as well. Something that you will come to understand is that user trends and online platforms are constantly changing. After landing your first digital marketing job, you will still need to continue learning about the latest trends and technology to remain competitive. 

How to get started in digital marketing? 

It can seem daunting trying to break into marketing or digital marketing. There is a lot of information online about how to start. Sky Society has many resources to help you make this career change. You can start with these 3 steps! 

• Take online certifications 
• Update your resume, cover letter, and LinkedIn
• Build your portfolio 

Are you asking yourself, how do I get a marketing job with no marketing experience? We have you covered! You can build your dream digital marketing career! 

✍️ Written by Gabriela Garcia