With the Covid restrictions slowly lifting, more and more people are looking for ways to re-enter the workforce. One option is to become an online marketing instructor. There has been a huge demand for online marketing courses in recent years, and with the current pandemic hopefully inspiring more people to learn digital marketing, there will be plenty of work for online marketing instructors.
Although it is still relatively early days, we wanted to shed some light on what these jobs are like, so you can better understand if online marketing is the right fit for you.
How To Become An Online Marketing Instructor
To become an online marketing instructor, you will need a bachelor’s degree in marketing, business administration, or a related field. Many employers also require a post-graduate diploma or accredited certificate in Digital Marketing. While employers may not specifically state that they require a digital marketing certificate, the more in-demand the job becomes, the more employers are likely to ask for it.
The following are the steps to take to become an online marketing instructor:
Step 1: Decide Which Type of Teaching Style You Prefer
You may prefer a more hands-on approach and find joy in teaching others. You may also want to consider becoming a mentor to newer, less experienced teachers or being a subject matter expert and leading by example. Ultimately, this decision will come down to what motivates you and makes you happy.
Step 2: Get Experience
To be able to teach others, you must first have experience. Therefore, you should consider pursuing an online marketing certificate as well as getting as much experience as possible. The more you put in, the more you will get back. There are many ways to gain experience, such as:
- Working for a coach or freelancing
- Providing marketing services for small businesses
- Attending conferences and seminars
- Sharing your knowledge in a Q&A session
- Helping someone else succeed in business
- and the list goes on
Step 3: Research The Job Market Before You Submit Your Resume
An important step in the hiring process is research. You will need to do your research into the various job markets and find out what is currently available. It is also a good idea to explore what is happening in the industry, what new opportunities may exist, and what the future may hold.
If you are new to this, it may be a bit tricky to know where to start your research. One place to begin is LinkedIn, as it is one of the biggest databases of job opportunities and allows you to search by keywords and/or locations. By doing a quick search on “Online Marketing Instructor” and looking at the various job offers that come up, you will easily be able to see what is available and whether or not this is the right fit for you.
Step 4: Make A Shortlist Of The Top 5 Companies To Contact
Once you have your shortlist of candidates, you should contact the companies directly, rather than simply applying for the role through a job board. Phone calls and email messages are often more effective than applying for a position online, and in most cases, you will be able to get a better sense of the employment opportunities within an organization. By applying for a role which may not be the right fit for you, you could end up wasting a lot of time.
Step 5: Prepare For The Interview Process
Interview preparation is essential, whether you are going for a coaching session or an in-person interview. In most cases, you will be asked some basic questions about yourself, followed by more in-depth questions about the job. Prepare for these questions and be confident in your answers. This will not only make you appear more professional, but it will also make you stand out among the rest of the applicants. Knowing what to expect can also make or break your interview.
Step 6: Follow Up
After the interview, you will need to follow up with the employers to see if they have any further questions and how you can start work. Many institutions may also ask you to sign a contract or provide additional paperwork as a part of the hiring process. You should be getting letters and emails from the various employers you contacted, providing you with an answer to whether or not they have an open position and detailing the next steps. If not, then it may be a good idea to search for other roles within your area of expertise.
What You Need To Stress-Test
Before you start teaching, you should take the time to stress-test yourself. There are a few things you should be mindful of, and knowing what they are can help you avoid potential problems. First, you should make sure that you have all the required credentials, as well as the training to be a good teacher. Second, you should consider your student’s needs. This includes ensuring that they have the required computer equipment and that the classes are delivered in a way that makes sense to them. Finally, you should regularly update your skills so that you remain relevant.
If you are new to this, it may be a good idea to start small then gradually increase your rates until you find the right amount which covers your costs and provides you with a healthy margin. You should also look for ways to become more efficient, as more and more people are using technology to learn how to market themselves and grow their businesses. If you can automate some of your processes and eliminate some of your steps, you will be able to save both time and energy which you can then use to further educate and develop yourself.