What Are the Career Options in Digital Marketing?

Digital marketing is fast becoming the backbone of revenue generation in every company. Even traditional brick and mortar businesses are seeing the benefits of staying on top of digital marketing. 

So, who are these digital marketers? Where do they come from and what sort of education or experience do they need? 

The answers are as varied as the career options available, ranging from analytics to social media, and the skills required are equally vast and diverse. If you have any interest in digital marketing, it is likely that you already have skills you can hone in. Here some of the top jobs available and how you can put those skills to good use. 

SEO Manager

As an SEO manager, you will oversee the company’s overall SEO strategy from planning to implementation. Your main objective is to improve the company’s ranking in search engines, particularly Google. Your responsibilities will vary as needed but will include:

  • Web marketing

  • Web analytics

  • Content strategy planning

  • Developing a social media strategy

  • Organising campaigns to improve search listings results

  • Developing a keyword strategy

Who is this good for?

Someone with a proven SEO track record and good leadership skills will thrive in this role. It also calls for someone who is adaptable. You will be the driving force behind the company’s online presence, so you have to be able to stay on top of the trends and know how to use them to drive traffic and increase sales.

Qualifications

Minimum of a bachelor’s degree is required, and usually at least two years of relevant SEO experience.

PPC Marketing Manager

As a PPC marketing manager, your role will be to oversee pay-per-click campaigns. You will be responsible for running client campaigns in Google Ads and on Facebook, and Instagram. You will specifically handle:

  • Audience targeting and keyword selection

  • Writing copy

  • Running A/B testing

  • Data analysis

  • Increasing traffic and reducing ad spend through optimisation

Who is this good for?

People who love stats and data are excited about this job. PPC is all about analysing data sets and using the information to your advantage.

Qualifications

A minimum of a bachelor’s in Marketing, Digital Media, or a related field, and a certification in Google Ads (previously Google AdWords) is an asset. 

Blogger

As a blogger, your primary job is to write, edit, and publish content to a website or blog. Your goal is to increase traffic to the site by writing content that is relevant to and educational for the reader. Your specific duties will include:

  • Promoting products from affiliates

  • Writing & researching articles

  • Providing helpful tricks and tips to readers

  • Pitching ideas

  • Keeping up to date on social media trends that are relevant to the business

  • Maintaining the brand’s image and tone in all posts

  • Promoting the brand through social media

  • Working with the SEO team to implement keywords

Who is this good for?

Writers, of course, are suited to this position! If you’re someone who loves to learn and research, then this is for you.

Qualifications

For some in-house blogging positions with bigger companies, you may require a bachelor's in English, Journalism, or Communications. However, digital marketing is a freelancer’s game, and anyone with a knack for putting words together well and synthesising information can become quite successful.  

Influencer

As an influencer, you will promote a brand's message, products, or services on social media as you incorporate it into your daily life. In addition, you will interact with your followers on an ongoing basis. Your responsibilities will include:

  • Engaging your social media following with the brand

  • Promoting the brand and its products or services

  • Using hashtags to ensure that your posts come up in as many relevant places as possible

Who is this good for?

Those with a social media following of 10,000+ engaged followers and a niche are great influencers.

According to Influencer Marketing Hub, this market comprises celebrities, industry experts and thought leaders, bloggers and content creators, and micro-influencers (everyday people who have become known as an expert in a particular area or niche).

Qualifications

A sound working understanding of key social media platforms will get your foot in the door, as will a substantial, active, and engaged following. 

Marketing and Automation Specialist

As a marketing automation specialist, you will focus on the day to day handling of a company’s automated marketing strategy. You will be taking care of all the tech involved with that, such as website design and app development. Specifically, you will:

  • Make landing pages

  • Set up email automation and marketing campaigns

  • Use analytics to optimise targeting

  • Increase conversions

  • Automate customer communication

Who is this good for?

Anyone who likes data, technology and advertising can combine those interests in this role. The key to a good career in this field is creating successful ad campaigns, launching them, checking the data, optimising and adjusting, and then repeating it over again.

Qualifications

Most employers will want a minimum of a bachelor’s in Business or Marketing, although some will require a master’s degree in a related field. Having some experience in the industry is also an asset.

UX Designer

As a UX (user experience) designer, you will be responsible for what users see when interacting with an app or a website. That includes everything from the way it looks and functions to the emotional reaction they feel when using it. You can expect to consult with users for feedback throughout the process too. Some of your duties will include:

  • Designing functional and visually appealing software

  • Developing user interface elements as required

  • Pitching ideas using storyboards

  • Testing for bugs

Who is this good for?

UX/UI is a highly specialised field and requires tech skills. Former code writers, app designers, and video game developers are the sort who will do well in this position. UX Design is projected to be one of the twelve best jobs for the future.

Qualifications

A bachelor’s in Design, Computer Science, or a related field is required. 

Social Media Manager

As a social media manager, you will take care of the company's social media strategy, including creating content and advertising. Some of the duties you can expect to perform are:

  • Posting updates

  • Gaining followers for social media accounts

  • Interacting with followers of social media accounts and answering questions

  • Promoting the company’s brand and image

  • Measuring and analysing follower engagement

Who is this good for?

Anyone who loves social media and can use analytics will enjoy this role. If you know what goes into a great post and are great at interacting with social users, chances are right this is for you.

Qualifications

A strong understanding of social media platforms and how to use them to generate leads that convert to sales will go a long way. SEO experience is an asset.

What Qualifications Do You Need to Become a Digital Marketer?

There is a wide array of options if you are qualified and ready for a career in digital marketing. The possibilities are as endless as your willingness to explore them. Digital marketing is a growing industry where a little experience can go a long way, but it’s never too late to upgrade your qualifications. A small investment in education will launch you into a bright future career in this booming industry. 

We offer courses in Hong Kong with the flexibility to take courses part-time and online. Whether you are new to digital marketing or not, becoming a certified Digital Marketer will give you a competitive advantage and a cross-section of skills that can be applied across multiple forums. 

Source: Digital Marketing Institute