What is a Digital Marketer and What They Do?

Simply put, a digital marketer is someone who takes care of all things digital marketing. Digital marketing is a form of marketing that relies on online platforms like social media, search engines, email, and websites to effectively promote products, services, and brands. What makes digital marketing popular is the fact that it allows businesses to reach a wide audience, deliver measurable results – all of which are important to succeed in today’s tech-savvy world. 

In this article, we take a comprehensive look at what digital marketers do, we then focus on a digital marketer’s role in an organization and discuss who they are, the skills they need, the variety of tasks they handle, and finally, how one can pursue a career in this field. This article is for you if you are interested in either pursuing digital marketing as a career, or you want to to hire a digital marketer to help you grow your business online. If you’re a business owner looking to hire a good digital marketer we also have a dedicated digital marketer hiring guide to help you find the right digital marketer to grow your business.

What is Digital Marketing

Let’s start with the basics first. As you would know, digital marketing is the process of using online channels to promote and sell products or services. However, it is not as simple as it may sound. Online marketing is complex as you progressively try to beat the competition. It involves strategies aimed at reaching potential customers through the Internet and digital devices, which is not easy. What sets digital and online marketing techniques apart from traditional marketing methods is that they allow for real-time interaction with audiences and provide immediate data to measure success. 

Who is a Digital Marketer?

A digital marketer is a professional adept in using the internet and digital tools to promote products or services. They specialize in reaching audiences through various digital channels like social media, email, search engines, and websites. Their role is to connect with potential customers in the digital space, craft compelling messages, and analyze the effectiveness of these strategies.

Why are Digital Marketing Professionals in Demand?

As of 2024, the digital marketing industry continues to show remarkable growth. Recent statistics indicate that global digital advertising spending has surpassed $500 billion, a clear indicator of its increasing importance in the marketing world. Additionally, reports suggest internet users now average 7 hours online per day, offering immense opportunities for businesses to capture their attention. This not only leads to an increased demand for digital marketing professionals but also makes the field highly competitive for newcomers. Regardless, the opportunities are always there for those who know their stuff.

How Digital Marketers Create an Impact on Organizations

In any business setting, a digital marketer contributes significantly. They’re the driving force behind online marketing strategies, directly impacting the company’s online presence and sales. They work to enhance brand awareness, generate leads, and track customer engagement, ensuring that the company stays competitive in the digital arena.

Digital Marketers vs. Traditional Marketers

The key difference between digital and traditional marketers lies in their mediums and approaches. While traditional marketers focus on print, TV, and radio, digital marketers use online tools and data analytics. This digital focus allows for more targeted marketing, real-time data analysis, and a more interactive relationship with the audience. Moreover, digital marketing strategies are often more cost-effective and have a broader reach than traditional methods.

By understanding the unique skills and roles of digital marketers, we can appreciate their importance in shaping how businesses connect with their customers in today’s technology-centric world.

Why You Can Consider Becoming A Digital Marketer as a Career

The Digital Marketing industry is rapidly evolving and so is the demand for Digital Marketing professionals. Let’s take a look at five compelling reasons why you can choose to learn digital marketing and become a professional digital marketer.

1. Growing Industry Demand

The digital marketing industry has been on an unmistakably upward trajectory over the past decade. With global digital advertising spending reaching approximately $455 billion in 2021 and projected to exceed $645 billion by 2024, according to Statista, the demand for skilled digital marketers is stronger than ever. This growth isn’t just about larger companies increasing their digital spending; small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are also recognizing the value of digital channels, further amplifying the demand for digital marketing professionals.

2. Diverse Career Opportunities

Digital marketing encompasses a wide array of disciplines, including content marketing, social media marketing, SEO (Search Engine Optimization), PPC (Pay-Per-Click) advertising, and email marketing, among others. This diversity opens up a plethora of career paths for aspiring professionals. Whether you’re creatively inclined, data-driven, or technologically adept, there’s a niche within digital marketing suited to your skills and interests. The field’s dynamic nature ensures that new roles and specialities continue to emerge as the digital landscape evolves.

3. Attractive Salary Prospects

Compensation in the digital marketing sector is competitive, reflecting the high demand for skilled practitioners. The average salary for digital marketing professionals in the United States range from $50,000 for entry-level positions to over $100,000 for more senior roles, according to data from Payscale and Glassdoor. Specialized areas such as SEM (Search Engine Marketing) and digital strategy can command even higher salaries, making digital marketing an attractive career choice from a financial perspective.

4. Flexibility and Remote Work Opportunities

The digital nature of this career path inherently offers flexibility in terms of work arrangements. Even before the global shift towards remote work catalyzed by the COVID-19 pandemic, many digital marketing roles were already amenable to remote or hybrid models. This trend has only accelerated, providing digital marketers with the possibility to work from virtually anywhere, affording a desirable balance between professional and personal life.

5. Continuous Learning and Evolution

The digital marketing field is characterized by its rapid pace of change, driven by technological advancements, evolving consumer behaviours, and shifts in the digital landscape. This constant evolution demands that digital marketers remain lifelong learners, always on their toes to adapt to new tools, strategies, and platforms. While challenging, this aspect of the career is also invigorating, offering endless opportunities for growth and innovation. The commitment to continuous learning ensures that digital marketing professionals can stay ahead in their field, making them invaluable to their employers.

Essential Skills of a Digital Marketer

Now, let’s focus on the essential skills a digital marketer needs to thrive in today’s online marketing environment.

Must-Have Skills for a Digital Marketer

1. SEO and SEM Skills 

Understanding search engine optimization (SEO) and search engine marketing (SEM) is crucial. A digital marketer needs to know how to increase visibility on search engines to drive organic traffic. For instance, a company that optimized its website for specific keywords saw a 200% increase in organic traffic within six months.

2. Content Marketing 

The ability to create compelling content is key. Whether it’s blog posts, videos, or social media updates, engaging content attracts and retains customers. A successful example is a blog series that boosted a brand’s engagement by 50% and increased website traffic. As a digital marketer you must know the ins and outs of content marketing and how it works.

3. Data Analysis 

The capability to analyze data and extract actionable insights is vital. Digital marketers use tools to track website traffic, engagement, and conversion rates, enabling data-driven decisions. A brand that leveraged data analysis witnessed a 30% improvement in their marketing campaign effectiveness.

4. Social Media Savvy 

Proficiency in social media marketing is essential. This involves not just posting content but also engaging with followers and analyzing trends. A campaign that used targeted social media strategies saw a 40% increase in customer interaction. Professional digital marketers understand how to communicate effectively with larger audiences on social media. They know the social media best practices and strategies which helps them reach the target audience and inspire them to engage meaningfully with a business or brand.

5. Technical Skills 

Understanding basic tools and technologies, like content management systems and Google Analytics, is important. This includes knowledge of HTML/CSS for minor website adjustments.

6. Email Marketing 

Effective email marketing involves crafting targeted messages that encourage user engagement. A well-executed email campaign can significantly boost customer retention and conversion rates. Digital marketers are great at creating the best email marketing strategies to help businesses generate more leads. Professional email marketers can help with better returns on marketing expenses. 

7. Adaptability 

The digital landscape changes rapidly. Being adaptable and staying current with trends is a necessary skill. Digital marketers who quickly adapted to new algorithms on social platforms have successfully maintained high engagement levels.

8. Communication Skills

Clear communication is critical for collaborating with team members and conveying strategies to stakeholders. Strong communication leads to more cohesive campaign execution and better alignment with business goals.

These are a few must-have skills if you want to successfully launch and execute digital marketing campaigns.

10 Key Responsibilities of a Digital Marketer

Now, coming to the specific tasks a digital marketer manages, here’s a comprehensive look at their key responsibilities.

1. Developing Digital Marketing Strategies 

Digital marketers craft comprehensive plans that align with the company’s objectives. This involves identifying target audiences, setting goals, and choosing the appropriate digital channels.

2. Managing SEO and SEM 

Online marketing professionals ensure the company’s website ranks high on search engines. This includes keyword research, content optimization, and managing pay-per-click campaigns.

3. Overseeing Social Media Management

They also handle the company’s social media profiles, creating and scheduling content, engaging with the audience, and analyzing social media performance.

4. Content Creation and Management 

Producing and managing content across various platforms to engage the audience and strengthen brand identity also comes under a digital marketer’s responsibility.

5. Email Marketing 

As a digital marketer, you’ll have to design and execute email campaigns to nurture leads, promote products, or services, and retain customers.

6. Website Management

They ensure the company website is user-friendly, up-to-date, and effectively represents the brand.

7. Data Analysis and Reporting 

This is a very important one. Collecting and analyzing data to measure and track the effectiveness of marketing campaigns and making informed decisions is what digital marketers are paid for.

8. Digital Advertising

As a digital marketer, you’ll also have to take care of online advertising and promotion. Creating and managing online advertising campaigns, including display ads, social media ads, and retargeting is what companies expect digital marketers to be good at.

9. Customer Relationship Management 

For a good digital marketer, it is not just sales and marketing but it is also about building and maintaining relationships with customers through digital channels, ensuring customer satisfaction and loyalty.

10. Staying Abreast of Trends

Last but not least, keeping up-to-date with digital marketing trends and technologies to ensure strategies remain relevant and effective is a constant challenge that digital marketers face. Most professional talents make sure they are updated with the latest trends and what’s unfolding in their market.

How to Become a Digital Marketer

Like any other career choice, becoming a digital marketer requires dedicated expertise with discipline. There are dedicated learning courses that you can start with, but experience is highly regarded in the industry.

Educational Foundation for Digital Marketing

A strong foundation in marketing principles is beneficial. This can be acquired through a bachelor’s degree in marketing, business, or a related field. Additionally, numerous online courses and certifications, such as Google Analytics, Google Ads, Facebook Blueprint, and HubSpot Content Marketing, can provide specialized knowledge in various aspects of digital marketing.

Gaining Hands-On Experience

Practical experience is crucial. This can be gained through internships, volunteering for marketing roles in local organizations, or managing social media for small businesses. Creating a personal blog or a social media campaign can also serve as valuable hands-on experience. Experimenting with different digital marketing tools and platforms provides real-world skills that are highly valued in the industry.

Staying Current

The digital marketing landscape is constantly evolving, so staying informed about the latest trends and technologies is essential. Regularly reading industry blogs, attending webinars, and participating in relevant online forums can help in staying updated.

Networking and Building a Portfolio

Building a strong professional network and maintaining an up-to-date portfolio showcasing successful campaigns and projects is important for career growth. LinkedIn and other professional social networks can be effective platforms for connecting with industry peers and potential employers.

With the right mix of educational background, practical experience, and a commitment to staying current with industry trends, aspiring digital marketers can find themselves well-prepared for this dynamic field. But continuous learning and networking is a constant challenge. As the digital world expands, so do the opportunities for those equipped with the skills and passion for digital marketing.

FAQs

1. What degree is best for a career in digital marketing?

A degree in marketing, business, or a related field is beneficial, supplemented with specialized digital marketing certifications.

2. How important is hands-on experience in digital marketing?

Very important; gaining practical experience through internships, volunteer work, or personal projects is crucial.

3. Can I learn digital marketing on my own?

Yes, through online courses, certifications, and self-led projects, one can learn digital marketing independently.

4. How do I stay updated with digital marketing trends?

Regularly read industry blogs, attend webinars, and participate in online forums and professional networks.

5. Is networking important in digital marketing?

Yes, building a professional network is key for career opportunities and staying informed about industry trends.