Digital marketing is perhaps the hottest, most challenging, and fast-paced industries one can work in. It keeps on evolving so there’s literally no time to get bored. The digital economy is growing by leaps and bounds and now is the best time to switch to digital marketing. Here are steps you can take to get a feel for this new career:
Devote time to learning
If you’re really interested in switching to digital marketing, you don’t need to quit your job right away; rather spend a few hours each day or in a week learning the basics of digital marketing. You can attend an online or offline workshop or find a mentor who can teach you the ropes at your own time.
Take time to read digital marketing blogs
To know the latest trends in digital marketing, blogs can offer your valuable information. Industry experts like Josh Elman, the guy who helped grow LinkedIn, Facebook and Twitter; Mathew Barby of Hubspot, and Rand Fishkin of Moz Blog, are just some people you should start following online. Their blogs that can really be helpful for you in gaining insights about the industry jargon and methodologies.
Be social media-savvy
Knowing your way around social media is a big plus when you’re going into digital marketing. Social media is one of the most powerful tools for digital marketing and mastering it will work to your advantage. Practice by making it a habit to update the content of your own social media sites and watch how your followers react to your posts. Also, following popular brands on social media will also give you an idea about best practices and different styles of communications.
Understand how analytics work
In addition to learning social media, you should also learn and understand how social media metrics and Google analytics work. You’ll need this skill when evaluating performance and when reporting on key facts and figures. You can start by checking out Google’s Partner program, a free program that will teach you the basics of Google analytics.
Learn basic coding
Knowing basic HTML, WordPress and how to code will be very useful in updating websites and blogs. A little coding skill can save you lots of time when making minor updates and can impress future employers.
Take online courses
If you don’t have the time or money to enroll in a digital marketing course, there are many free or low-cost platforms, like Lynda.com, that offer a slew of digital marketing courses. If you don’t know a thing about digital marketing, an online course can provide a great introduction to this exciting industry. Feel free to include your online courses on your resume. This will show future employers how committed you are to be an expert in digital marketing.
Shifting careers can be daunting and learning a new discipline like digital marketing is even more challenging. But if you’re committed to learning, there’s no stopping you from succeeding in this field.
