Are you passionate about digital marketing and find yourself planning and executing campaigns for brands across the globe? Do you have the skill-set to back up your rhetoric? If so, consider applying for a job as a digital marketing expert!
With all the recent coverage in the news of brands being hacked and the resulting data breaches that follow, it’s never been more important to look at security in the context of a marketing campaign. The job title might not reflect it, but a job as a digital marketer is most definitely a secure job – as long as you approach it appropriately. You’ll be working in a corporate environment, but you’ll also be expected to think strategically and independently.
Many large businesses and brands already use marketing automation tools to great effect. Using tools such as HubSpot or Marketo, you can automate some of the marketing tasks that often come with a more traditional job role. This way, you can focus on what’s important to you – building relationships with customers and converting them into leads and then into valuable, long-lasting partnerships. Sounds good to you? Keep reading.
The Basics
Let’s be honest – applying for a job as a digital marketer doesn’t mean that you’re going to get instant or even semi-instant results. It takes time to establish yourself in the field and to prove your worth. So, you might have to settle for an initial interview or two before you’re given the thumbs up to start.
However, once you’re given the go-ahead, you can focus on the skills that you have and what you can bring to the table. There are dozens of specialties within digital marketing, all with their own area of focus and specialty tool. If you’re looking to break into the field, consider focusing on one area in particular – SEO, which stands for search engine optimization.
SEO is all about getting your website or blog in the search engines’ (typically Google’s) top three organic search results for your chosen keywords. Sounds easy enough, right?
Well, to be more precise, it’s a lot more difficult than it seems. Your chosen keyword or phrases should be relevant to your target audience’s needs and the content on your site should be of high quality. If you’re new to SEO, take some time to study SEO basics – including how to write a winning SEO blog post – before you dive in and attempt to rank for your chosen keywords.
The Training
Because SEO is such a broad area, you’re going to need to decide what specializations you might want to pursue. Perhaps, you have a background in digital marketing and SEO and you’re looking to break into market research or analysis. Or, perhaps, you have a background in sales and marketing and you’re looking to transition into a job in social media or marketing?
Before you start applying for jobs, it’s important to note that SEO is a constantly changing field. One of the things that make your job prospects better is that you constantly need to be learning and keeping up-to-date with the latest SEO techniques and strategies. Make sure that you revisit the basics often so that you never become outdated. With everything from web design to social media and marketing automation changing and evolving all the time, it’s essential to be able to keep up with the trends or you’ll find yourself out of a job.
The Application Process
As we’ve established, taking the time to learn the basics of SEO is a good idea. Once you’re ready to apply for a position, submit your resume to relevant job boards and target industry specific websites. Many large business employers have their own dedicated job websites, so make sure that you’re submitting your application to the right place. Otherwise, you might end up in a sea of applications and never get the opportunity to show what you can do.
If you’re unable to find a job that fits your criteria, try looking for contract work – especially if you’re a senior looking for an entry-level position. Many times, smaller businesses and startups hire freelancers or consultants for a specific project or piece of work. If you’re able to secure a few smaller contracts, you might be able to parlay that into a full-time job somewhere down the line.
The Job
So, you’ve been accepted into the program and now you have a job title and an office chair. Unfortunately, that’s all there is. The rest is up to you to make happen. To ensure that you stay motivated and engaged, you need to approach your job with a positive attitude and prove to yourself and your employer that you’re capable of the job. Above all, you want to make sure that you’re setting yourself up for success. In other words, find the good in every situation and take advantage of every opportunity. By regularly taking on new challenges and pushing your limits, you’ll be that much closer to securing your dream job. Keep up the good work!