Essential Skills for a Career in Digital Marketing

Looking for career advice on how to grow your digital marketing career? Start by sharpening your skill set. Possessing strong digital  skills opens doors to higher-paying jobs and more lucrative salaries. 

This article explores the role of a digital marketer, delves into the intricacies of digital marketing, including its definition and significance, identifies key digital marketing skills, and provides guidance on developing and applying these skills for a successful career.

 

Top Digital Marketing Skills in 2024 

1. AI Tools for Digital Marketing
2. Content Creation and Content Marketing
3. SEO and SEM
4. Customer Relationship Management (CRM)
5. Social Media Marketing (SMM) and Creative Thinking

 

What is the Impact of Digital Marketing?

The internet and digitisation have significantly influenced daily life, shaping digital marketing efforts. Explore the statistics below for a deeper look.

An IBM study reported that nearly 55% of internet users perform their product research on social media. (Source: Wpforms)

Nearly 78% of internet users now research products online before making purchases, leading companies to shift their advertising and marketing efforts online. The UK alone has over 7,661 registered digital marketing agencies according to FutureLearn’s 2023 blog. (Source: FutureLearn)

In our increasingly digital world, digital marketing has now become an integral part of any successful business strategy. Given the vast online customer base,  prioritising digital platforms for marketing is the only sensible choice. 

 

Why are Digital Marketers Important?

Digital marketers play a crucial role in connecting brands with their target audience through various online channels. Think of them as the backbone of every sale that happens between a business and a consumer.

Digital marketers handle various levels of functions in the marketing process, from advertising to social media campaigns, creating brand awareness, product placement, etc. To thrive in this dynamic field, you need to be competent, skilled, and able to adapt and learn new things.

 

What is a Digital Marketer?

A digital marketer is a professional responsible for utilising digital channels to promote and advertise products, services, or brands.

This involves creating and implementing effective online marketing strategies to reach a target audience, drive engagement, and achieve business goals.

Digital marketers are versatile individuals who help set the scene for successful sales, business relations, business deals, and profit by using a combination of analytical, creative, and technical skills.

 

What is Digital Marketing?

 Digital marketing consists of a wide range of activities carried out online, specifically aimed at connecting businesses with their audience.

It includes strategies and tactics such as search engine optimisation (SEO), social media marketing, email marketing, content marketing, and more.

The primary objective is to build brand awareness, generate leads, drive website traffic, and ultimately boost sales and revenue through digital channels.

 

Examples of Digital Marketing Skills

Digital marketing skills are essential in our increasingly internet-dependent world.

Having adept digital skills can be highly beneficial when it comes to marketing in the new age. Digital skills is an expansive term used to refer to any and every skill that relies upon and works with the internet and technology.

 

Digital marketing skills, on the other hand, specifically deal with the practices used by digital marketers on digital media, such as the internet, email, etc., to capture the market’s attention.

 

If you have a well-established and verified skillset, starting a successful digital marketing career can be a rather straightforward venture.

 

• Skill 1: SEO Expertise

 

Understanding and implementing SEO strategies improve a website's visibility on search engines. Websites ranking on the first page of Google receive over 90% of clicks. It’s important to note that SEO can help you achieve organic listing which receives a greater share of clicks and visits compared to ads. (Source: Protofuse)

 

• Skill 2: Data Analysis

 

Digital marketers analyse data to derive insights and make informed marketing decisions. Did you know that data-driven organisations are 23 times more likely to obtain customers, 6 times more likely to retain their customers, and 19 times more likely to be profitable in the long run? (Source: keboola)

 

• Skill 3: Social Media Marketing

 

Crafting and implementing effective social media strategies to engage and grow an audience is a huge part of digital marketing. Over 3.6 billion people use social media globally, and this number is expected to rise to 4.4 billion by 2025. (Source: IBN)

 

• Skill 4: Content Creation

 

Digital marketers create compelling and shareable content for digital platforms, and studies show content marketing generates three times as many leads as traditional marketing and costs almost 62% less. (Source: Semetrical)

 

• Skill 5: Email Marketing

 

Designing and executing email campaigns to nurture leads and build customer loyalty is a large part of digital marketing. On average, email marketing is one of the more lucrative aspects of digital marketing and brings in a hefty 4,400% return on investment (ROI). (Source: Wpforms)

 

Developing Digital Marketing Skills

 

We have covered the top skills needed for digital marketing. Now here are a few ways you can develop these skills yourself.

1. Education and certifications

Enrol in digital marketing courses and certifications to gain in-depth knowledge and practical skills.

 

2. Hands-on experience

Apply theoretical knowledge through internships, freelance projects, or personal projects.

 

3. Stay updated

Follow industry blogs, attend webinars, and subscribe to newsletters to stay on top of the latest trends and technologies.

 

What Soft Skills Do You Need for a Career in Digital Marketing?

 

1. Adaptability

The ability to adapt to the rapidly changing digital landscape is crucial for success.

 

2. Creativity

Creativity aids in crafting compelling content and innovative marketing campaigns.

 

3. Analytical thinking

Analytical skills are vital for interpreting data and deriving actionable insights.

 

4. Communication skills

Clear communication is essential for conveying messages effectively across digital platforms.

 

Mastering these soft skills and gaining expertise in AI tools and core digital marketing practices can make you an asset to any company in the coming years.

In conclusion, a successful career in digital marketing requires a diverse skill set that combines technical proficiency, creativity, and adaptability. By staying informed, honing essential skills, and gaining practical experience, aspiring digital marketers can navigate the digital landscape with confidence and contribute to the success of businesses online. 

If you would like to be trained in the latest industry practices, tools and techniques while developing a strong foundational base in digital marketing, look no further than the digital marketing courses offered at the London School of Business and Finance (LSBF). Digital marketing for marketers is a core focus of the industry-oriented courses by LSBF.

Whether you are a fresher, student, or an experienced marketing professional, you can find a course in digital marketing that suits your needs at LSBF.