Many of us have grown accustomed to having a constant stream of information at our fingertips, whether we’re browsing social media, surfing the web, or scanning our phones. With so much content being generated every day, it’s no wonder why people are searching for ways to make their lives easier and the work flow smoother.
While many of us may not need a helping hand at home, there are some areas of our work life that could use a bit of an upgrade. One of those areas is our marketing strategy. Thanks to the development of online marketing, we now have a variety of tools and platforms that can greatly enhance our ability to market a business. However, if you’re not equipped with the right knowledge, these tools and platforms can actually do more harm than good.
What is an Online Marketing Consultant?
An online marketing consultant is someone who can provide companies with expert advice on marketing strategy, performance, and optimization. The role of the consultant is to research and analyze the client’s target audience, competitors, and marketing objectives, and then help the client develop the right marketing mix (i.e., internet marketing strategies) to achieve their goals.
What Kinds of Clients Do These Consultants Serve?
It’s important to note that not all clients will need the services of an online marketing consultant, but if your expertise lies in this area, chances are you’ll encounter a lot of demand for your services.
Thanks to the digital nomad lifestyle that has become so fashionable over the past several years, there is a constant supply of online marketers looking for new opportunities. However, finding the right job isn’t easy, which is why it’s important to put yourself in the best possible position to make sure that you get hired. One of the best things that you can do for yourself is to build up a portfolio of websites and social media profiles that you can use to showcase your work. Not only will this make you more attractive to potential employers, but it will also make it easier for them to find you if they need someone with your specific skill set.
Top Skills Needed
Since the role of an online marketing consultant is rather unique, it’s important to know what you’ll need to succeed in this career. While it’s not essential that you have a specific degree in marketing or digital marketing, it is necessary that you have a solid background in these areas.
What are the most in-demand skills for this role?
The most in-demand skills for this role are:
- Analysis
- Marketing research
- Web content creation
- Data analysis
- Business knowledge
If you can demonstrate that you have experience in all of these areas, you’re in a good position to secure a lucrative job as an online marketing consultant. With so much competition, it’s imperative that you stand out from the crowd and make your employer see only you.
The Advantages of Working in Digital Marketing
With the evolution of digital marketing, there are now a variety of tools and platforms that can greatly assist businesses in executing their marketing strategy. Thanks to advancements in Artificial Intelligence, Digital Marketing now offers a variety of services that can make the process of marketing much easier and more efficient for companies of all sizes.
One of the advantages of working in digital marketing is that you’ll have the opportunity to focus on a number of different campaigns simultaneously, which can greatly enhance your versatility. You’ll also have the chance to continually learn and grow as a professional, which can only be a good thing for your future.
Disadvantages of Working in Digital Marketing
While the advantages of working in digital marketing are undeniable, there are still some significant disadvantages to this role as well. One of the main disadvantages is that, due to the nature of the role, most people who enter the field are highly specialized and end up working in tandem with other specialists. This is often times seen as a disadvantage to one’s career, as you’re not always going to be able to find a job, even if you want one. Another significant disadvantage is that, since marketing is such a broad area, a lot of people who enter the field with no specific training end up specializing in specific areas. Being highly specialized can also make you less marketable, as there are going to be a lot of people who are better qualified than you.
Become Specialized
Even if you don’t end up specializing in data analysis or website design, it’s still important to become highly specialized in order to secure a job in this field. Just because there’s a demand for someone with your general skills doesn’t mean that you’ll be able to find a job without further training or specialization. Knowing just enough to get by can land you in big trouble, as you’ll be at a serious disadvantage compared to candidates who have further specialized in these areas. If you don’t have the specialized training that most companies are looking for, then there are a number of other areas that you can specialize in that are more easily found jobs in. Examples of areas that you can specialize in are:
- Search marketing
- Email marketing
- Retargeting
- Online marketing management
- Programmatic advertising
- Media buying
Once you’ve secured a job in one of these areas, you can move into another, more specialized area, which will in turn, make you even more employable. This is one of the main reasons that having a specialized degree isn’t necessary to succeed in this field. However, having a general education is still very important, as it provides you with the tools to become specialized in any area that you choose.
What Do You Need To Succeed In This Career?
In order to succeed in this career, you’ll need to have the following:
- A bachelor’s degree in marketing, communications, or a related field
- 3-5 years of experience in a digital marketing agency or in-house marketing department (preferably both)
- Proven track record of creating marketing strategy, analytics, and materials for digital marketing campaigns.
- Familiarity with Google Analytics, Google AdWords, and social media platforms like Twitter and Facebook
- Knowledge of programming, HTML, and HTML5
- A confident and self-assured personality
- Ability to multi-task
- A dedication to learning and personal improvement
In summary, if you’re looking for a stable career in an area that you’re passionate about, then digital marketing could be a good fit. Just make sure that you’re not applying for a position that you don’t qualify for, as there are hundreds of other jobs out there thatyou’re better suited for.