There are so many titles to describe the role of a marketing professional in today’s world. Between search engine optimization (SEO), search engine marketing (SEM), content marketing, inbound marketing, digital marketing and beyond, it can be hard to know where to start and what tools to use.

But one thing is for sure: no matter what your label is, you hold the key to a successful marketing strategy.

So let’s explore the differences between the titles for clarity’s sake.

The Differences Between Online Marketing Specialists And Digital Marketers

The job titles for an online marketing specialist, digital marketer and content marketer are pretty similar; in fact, they’re almost interchangeable. But that doesn’t mean they’re all the same. Here are the differences.

Job Responsibilities

First off, let’s explore the responsibilities of each title. An online marketer is responsible for driving traffic to your website or blog. They do this by using various methods to reach the right audience and create engagement.

An SEO specialist is responsible for optimizing a website or blog for search engines such as Google. They do this by making small modifications to the site architecture, content and relevant link building to improve how the website or blog ranks in organic search results.

Content marketers are generally responsible for creating content that’s valuable to prospective customers and then distributing it across different platforms.

A digital marketer is typically seen as the digital strategist or the digital marketing manager of a company. They are responsible for, among other things, analyzing online behavior, identifying target audiences and then designing strategies to drive those people to take action.

Now, these are all very respectable titles for a marketer to have. But just because a person has one of these titles doesn’t mean they are a good fit for your organization. It depends on the company’s needs and the type of results you’re looking for.

Education (Post-Graduation)

Next, let’s explore the educational qualifications of each title. An SEO specialist needs a bachelor’s degree in computer science or engineering. A digital marketer needs a bachelor’s degree in business administration or marketing. A content marketer usually has a background in graphic design or marketing.

An online marketing specialist might have a bachelor’s degree in business administration, marketing or communications. They could also have a master’s degree in business administration, marketing or communications. A certificate in digital marketing from the American Association of Advertising Agencies (4A’s) can be viewed as a post-graduate qualification.

Now, not all of these degrees and certificates qualify you to become an online marketer. For example, the bachelor’s degree in business administration is considered a general purpose degree. So anyone with this qualification could become an online marketer.

Skills

Next, let’s dive into the skills needed for each role. An SEO specialist needs to have at least three years of experience in SEO. A digital marketer needs to have experience in marketing, communications or business administration. A content marketer needs to have a flair for design, copywriting and editing.

An online marketer needs to have a proven track record in marketing and communication (if you want to be an SEO specialist), sales (if you want to be a digital marketer) or business (if you want to be a content marketer).

While any of these titles might give you an advantage in your career, it’s crucial to be aware of what you don’t know. For example, if you don’t have any SEO experience, you should probably seek out an SEO expert to help you navigate the field. Or, if you don’t have any experience in content marketing, you might want to seek out a content marketer for advice.

Career Paths

Finally, let’s explore the career paths for each of these titles. An SEO specialist can take a number of different paths to reach the top. They can start out with an entry-level position working for an SEO company or marketing agency. As they gain experience, they can seek out a position within a brand—whether that’s marketing, sales or even product development.

A digital marketer can also take a number of different paths to reach the top. After graduation, they can start out in a marketing role at a company before seeking out a job at a digital agency or marketing firm. Once they have some experience, they can look into a managerial role where they’ll be responsible for running a department or creating marketing strategy.

A content marketer can take a number of different paths to reach the top. After earning a bachelor’s degree, they can start out in a traditional marketing role. As they gain experience, they can look into a role where they’ll be creating marketing strategy and executing marketing programs across multiple platforms (web, social and mobile).

While any one of these titles might be a great fit for your career, it’s important to be aware of what you don’t know. If you’re looking for a career in marketing, you might want to explore the different paths available to you.