In the last couple of years, the role of a digital marketer has evolved from just performing online marketing activities to also including conversion rate optimisation, content strategy and performance analysis.

This role is often linked to a brand manager’s function, supporting them in building a business case for digital marketing investments, as well as leading the strategy and execution of those campaigns.

But it’s not all work and no play. There are plenty of opportunities for remote work and flexible hours, which mean you can fit the role around your personal life. That’s why more and more people are choosing to do this role, and the demand is expected to increase by 25% in the next two years.

Why Online?

For those considering this role, one of the most appealing aspects is that you can do the whole course online. This gives you the flexibility to fit study into your schedule, and if you already have a job, you can study part-time whilst maintaining your professional responsibilities.

When you’re looking for a role in digital marketing, you’ll come across a number of different specialties. With so much variation, it can be tough to know where to start your job search. When you do an internet search for digital marketing jobs, you’ll come across a litany of specialties, all with their plusses and minuses.

This is why it’s important to be strategic about your choice when choosing a specialty. When you’re applying for jobs, make sure you’re putting your best foot forward by tailoring your resume to the role you’re aiming for. This will also help you stand out from the crowd of applicants, and make your resume much more useful to the recruiter.

Which Course To Take?

If you’re looking to gain hands-on experience, then the Certified Digital Marketing Manager (CDMM) certificate is for you. Being a CDMM ensures that you’ve attained a certain level of competency in digital marketing, and as a result, you’ll have access to a broader range of roles, increasing your opportunities for employment.

This is a certificate course, so you’ll need to do the majority of the work yourself. However, it does give you the opportunity to put your skills to the test, and gain invaluable experience from real-life cases that you can then implement in your own work. You’ll also have access to a LinkedIn learning community with more than 500 members, where you can ask questions about the role and expand your skills.

If you’re looking for a more theoretical course, then the Diploma in Digital Marketing is what you should go for. This is a more affordable option, as the majority of the coursework is done for you, by the Education Department. You’ll be studying marketing communications alongside public relations, social media, digital marketing, and analytics. This is a hugely valuable set of skills to have, especially as so much of today’s marketing work is done digitally, meaning it’s all in the data, and you’ll need to have the computational and analytical skills to crunch the numbers and draw meaningful conclusions.

How Long Does It Take?

If you’re doing the whole course online, then the timing is flexible. However, depending on your existing skill set and knowledge, you may need to adjust your schedule to complete the course in the time allowed. Most employers will be expecting you to have studied the subject for at least a year before applying for jobs, so be sure to account for this in your timetable.

With the right attitude and dedication, you should be able to complete the entire course in six months. But again, this will depend on your existing skill set and how committed you are to studying.