If you’re reading this, I assume you’re either an online marketer yourself or somebody who knows one; this article is for you. If you don’t, then you should probably stop reading right now, because it’s going to be full of really cool stuff you probably don’t know. But if you’re still here, then congratulations, because you’re committed, and that’s one of the things I like about you.
The Evolution Of Online Marketing
Nowadays, there’s more to an online marketer’s job description than just creating and distributing content. Back in the day, SEO (search engine optimization) and PPC (pay-per-click) were all you needed to know; now, you need to have a whole team working for you.
SEO is still important, but the content strategy and distribution are so much more vital; you no longer just need to find the keywords, you need to find the right content for each platform. That takes time, effort, and a whole lot of learning.
Similarly, PPC is still very important, but now it’s all about performance marketing; you not only need to get paid to have your ad appear on a site, but you need to get the most from your ad spend by measuring the results of your campaigns.
Building up a social media following is also important, as it creates a platform for you to engage with your target audience and allows you to build trust with potential customers. Having a presence across all the major social platforms is important, especially as people are using more than one platform to access content (58% of consumers say they use social media to learn about products and brands, while 33% use search engines).
So, if you have SEO, PPC, and social media experience, why not consider a career in online marketing? You’ll be able to combine your knowledge of digital marketing with your passion for social media to evolve the role and make it your own.
The Growth Of Online Marketing
According to HubSpot Blogs research, “The growth of online marketing is expected to more than double from 2010 to 2020, from 16.9 million to nearly 40 million jobs globally.”
With more and more people using the web to research products and compare prices before buying in-demand goods, online marketing is set to grow.
In the coming years, more and more people will have a vested interest in what you do; you’ll be able to harness the power of digital marketing to grow your business, and help people find what they need. It’s an essential skill for anybody who wants to succeed in business.
The Different Job Titles That You Could Advance In
The above quote from HubSpot Blogs highlights that there are a lot of different job titles that you could advance in if you go into online marketing; here’s a short description of a few of them.
Succeeding as an online marketer requires you to have a solid understanding of both SEO and PPC. You’ll need to be familiar with the major SEO tools, and know how to use them for your advantage. Your primary focus will be on creating content that is both easily accessible and relevant to your target audience.
Performance marketing takes a bit of a different approach; instead of focusing on attracting as many people to your site as possible, you’ll be focused on getting the most from your existing audience. That means analyzing your website’s analytics and figuring out what content is most effective (product reviews, for example, tend to perform well).
You’ll also need to be familiar with the different performance platforms like Google Ads or Bing Ads; if you’re not, then you’ll need to learn quickly.
Where Do I Start?
If you’re thinking about pursuing a career in online marketing, then start by brushing up on your SEO skills. There are multiple SEO certification paths that you could take; the main three are Google’s SEO Analyst Certification, SEO Manager Certification, and SEO Superhero certification.
If you want to be able to evolve your role and be able to take on more responsibility, then you should aim for Google’s top SEO certificate. To get there, you’ll need to first prove yourself competent enough by achieving a Google SEO Analyst Certificate. Once you’ve done that, you can move onto the Google SEO Manager Certificate, which takes you even closer to the top of the ladder.
Performance marketing is a broad term that encompasses all the different tactics used to attract potential customers to a website or app. For this reason, it’s a good idea to specialize in performance marketing; with a focus on this area, you’ll be able to become an expert in attracting customers to your business.
How Long Does It Take To Advance?
Depending on your specialty, you could spend a few months or a few years getting your degree and then applying for your job. However, if you want to be able to hit the ground running, then you should try to get a job as soon as you graduate.
Once you’ve gotten a job in SEO or performance marketing, you can start looking for a marketing manager job or an online marketing role. There are many different specialties you could explore within online marketing, so you’re sure to find something that suits you.