I was recently contacted by a career consultant who asked me if I was looking for a job change. I was a little thrown by the question, as I haven’t really thought about what I’ll do after I finish my current contract. Truth to be told, I’ve been having a really nice time working for a large tech company, and I don’t see myself leaving anytime soon.

The problem is, while I enjoy my current job, it doesn’t exactly fit within the scope of the career consultant’s inquiry. She wanted to know if I was interested in an online marketing role, which would involve working remotely for a U.S.-based company.

I paused for a moment, thinking about my current situation and the perks it has to offer. I enjoy my flexible schedule, the ability to work remotely, and the fact that I can promote myself and my skills without having to worry about traditional career concerns.

But then it hit me: I would be giving up a substantial portion of my prime working hours for an employer who didn’t have any experience in hiring or retaining employees, or offering any training or support related to my field.

I’m genuinely curious as to whether or not this type of role is a viable alternative for someone like me, or if I’m better off sticking with what I know.

The Perks of Working For a Company With an Inhouse Marketing Department

My first thought upon learning of the opportunity was how exciting it would be to work for a company whose inhouse marketing team handles all of the promotional work related to my field. I would be able to develop and grow my own brand, while also being paid to do what I already do for free.

And that’s exactly what happened. A few days after I began working for this company, I received a promotion, which incorporated my new responsibilities into my title. Now, I oversee the creation and execution of marketing campaigns for a number of different products, including those developed in-house.

The fact that I no longer have to worry about finding work-related tasks to complete, or whether or not my benefits will be covered in the event I need them, is genuinely relieving. In addition, being able to set my own schedule is an incredible relief, especially since I have a teenage boy who needs help getting off to school in the morning.

Being able to promote myself without having to worry about finding the right job, or whether or not I’ll have enough work to complete, is very liberating. I finally feel like I can put my full effort into doing what I love, while also being able to provide for my family.

Why Are Companies Turning To Online Marketing?

As a marketer, it’s your job to figure out ways to get your products and services in front of as many people as possible. Traditional marketing can be costly and risky, especially if it’s not done well. For example, if you’re trying to advertise your new restaurant in a small town, you might end up alienating the people who live there. The best practice is to target the right audience, and in today’s world, that means tapping into online marketing.

Why should companies care about online marketing? They should care because:

• The number of people who are using the internet to research products and services is enormous.
• Social media is becoming more and more important, as platforms like Twitter and Facebook help people find things, share experiences, and connect with business.
• Traditional marketing is expensive, and relying on adverts is risky business (you never know if someone might see your ad and decide not to make a purchase).
• With the right content, online marketing can be incredibly effective (we’ll talk more about this below).
• And last but not least, we need to remember that not everyone has plenty of money to spend on luxuries, so companies need to be mindful of the cost-effective measures they can take to get the word out about their products.

What Will I be Doing?

In a nutshell, you’ll be doing online marketing activities to promote products. This can include things like blogging, posting on social media, and taking part in online forums. You’ll also be creating content for websites, both on and off the record.

You’ll need to be comfortable working remotely, as you’ll mostly be dealing with clients located across the country. You’ll also need to be comfortable taking on a contract role, as you’ll be working on a freelance basis for the first three to six months of the year, and then taking a more regular job (if the position is still available) for the rest of the year. We’ll talk more about the business side of things below.

Contract Negotiation

As mentioned above, you’ll be working on a freelance basis for the first three to six months of the year. This is a great opportunity to negotiate a more favorable contract. Just make sure you’re aware of the risks of freelancing, and remember that you’re not locked in to any particular terms. If anything seems fishy (like the amount of work agreed upon doesn’t seem to match the pay), you can walk away without any guilt. Just be sure you’re comfortable with the terms before you sign anything.

After you’ve established a contract with the client, you’ll be entering a more traditional job role. You’ll be expected to meet certain deadlines, and be reliable. You’ll need to be available to discuss the progress of the project, and be willing to offer suggestions about how to improve the product or service. This is typically a six-month to one-year commitment, with potential for longer.

Depending on your experience, you may be asked to take on a management role, or to train someone new in your field. There are plenty of opportunities to grow, and the flexibility is unparalleled.