Warren O’Hare On How to Become an Online Marketing Rock Star

Are you looking to become an online marketing rock star? WOHA, an authority in digital marketing, shares his top tips for aspiring marketers to follow.

Being an online marketer is a fantastic job opportunity. Thanks to the development of technologies such as WordPress, people can now launch a professional web presence, complete with online store, in less than 20 minutes.

The advantage of having a digital edge is that consumers can engage with your brand, product or service at any time, anywhere, and on any device.

With customers constantly connected to their phones, businesses must adapt and improve their customer experience (CX) to ensure they stand out from the crowd. But, creating a CX strategy doesn’t mean you need to focus only on your physical locations – you can improve your customer experience from virtually anywhere.

If you’re looking to take your marketing career to the next level, consider pursuing a masters in marketing or business administration. These degrees will arm you with the skills needed to succeed in the role.

Choose A Specialized Area Of Consultancy

In the same way that doctors are being encouraged to specialize in areas of medicine that they’re especially knowledgeable about, marketing specialists should pursue areas of the industry that they’re an expert in. For instance, if you have an eye for online marketing, then you should consider pursuing a Master of Science in Digital Marketing and if you have an interest in pharmaceutical marketing, you could pursue a specialization in pharmaceutical marketing. Doing so will give you a leg up on the competition, as well as open up more opportunities for you.

After you’ve completed your studies, don’t be afraid to put your education to the test. Look for jobs in marketing and gain experience by freelancing or taking on small projects for other businesses.

Create An Outstanding Website

The first step towards becoming an online marketer is to create an outstanding website. There are plenty of free website builders out there that can be used to launch a professional presence quickly and cheaply. But, that doesn’t mean that all websites will be created equal. You need to put in the time and effort to ensure that your site is optimized for conversions.

The most important thing to consider is the user experience (UX) – the way your site looks, the content you provide, and how it all interacts, is vital to ensuring that your site visitors stay on your page, engage with your content, and eventually, convert into paying customers.

In order to create an outstanding UX, you need to think about all of the different platforms your audience uses. If you have a website that you think is performing well but could be improved, take the time to analyze why. There may be flaws in the way that you’re presenting content, lacking crucial features, or simply because there’s too much information for the viewer.

Master The Art Of SEO

Search engine optimization (SEO) is an important aspect of digital marketing. When potential customers search for products and services related to your niche, your website will appear at the top of the results, hopefully, leading them to click on your site.

To effectively implement SEO, you must understand what makes Google search engines work and how they decide which results to show the user. If you’re looking to take your SEO knowledge to the next level, consider pursuing certifications, taking online courses, or finding a mentor to help you along the way.

Understand The Different Types Of Content That Work

Depending on your expertise, you may be able to land a job simply by creating great content. But, in order to succeed as an online marketer, you must have the ability to understand the different types of content that work in attracting and engaging customers. There are three types of content that, when used effectively, will help you stand out above the competition:

  • Video content: While photos and text can both work to promote a business, video content, particularly YouTube videos, can have a much greater impact.
  • Affiliate marketing: This type of marketing, which literally means ‘earning money while sleeping’, allows entrepreneurs, marketers, and webmasters to connect with potential customers, promote a business, and make money, all while enjoying their freedom to roam the web as they see fit.
  • Content strategy: This entails coming up with a plan for creating and distributing content that will engage and inspire your audience.

Knowing how to create and distribute the right content, in the right way, is an essential part of progressing in your career. To help you along the way, consider taking a look at our curated list of the best affiliate marketing courses and finding a mentor who can help you develop your personal brand.

Distribute Videos Of Yourself

YouTube, Instagram, and other video platforms allow users to share short videos, often showing off what they’re promoting, along with their brand or business. This is a great way to connect with customers and potential customers, promote a business, and earn money, all while staying consistent with your brand.

In the same way that you would put a video of yourself on your LinkedIn profile to make yourself more relatable to potential employers, you should distribute videos, particularly on YouTube, to show your expertise and gain credibility.

You can use platforms, like Hootsuite, to find and connect with an audience, position yourself as an expert in your field, and earn money, all while enjoying the flexibility of independent marketing.

Make Money With Affiliate Marketing

One of the best things about the internet is that you can now, virtually, become an expert in any field you want, with just a few clicks of a button. Thanks to platforms like Shopify, launching an online store has become incredibly easy and, with affiliate marketing, you can earn a decent monthly income, all from a remote location, working hours that suit you.

This form of marketing allows you to earn money while sleeping – literally. Through affiliate marketing, you’ll drive traffic to a merchant’s site, where they’ll convert that traffic into paying customers, earning you a commission.

In order to succeed, you must understand how to choose the right affiliate products to promote. To help you along the way, consider using platforms like Jungle Scout to discover trending and profitable niches, as well as find products that are already making a massive impact in their field.

Learn From The Best

Finally, don’t be afraid to learn from the best. The internet is filled with amazing resources, both free and paid for, that can help you climb the ladder to become an online marketing rock star. If you want to learn SEO from experts, then consider pursuing an SEO certification or taking a paid course, like the famous Google SEO Certification. If you’re looking to take your career to the next level, there are plenty of courses available online, as well as offline, that can help you become a better marketer, strategist, and/or entrepreneur.

In marketing, you’ll frequently be presented with new opportunities, varying schedules, and a constantly changing landscape. Being responsive, adaptable, and willing to learn are vital if you want to succeed as an online marketer.