The demand for digital marketers has skyrocketed over the past few years. This was an inevitable outcome since the creation of the internet and the increase of businesses and companies gaining an online presence. Because of this demand, aspiring digital marketers may be wondering if they need a degree to get into the field.
So, do you need a degree to become a digital marketer? While it isn’t a must to hold a marketing degree to become a digital marketer, it increases the chances of gaining employment as a digital marketer. However, you can use other routes to get into the digital marketing field.
Just like most technology-based careers today, digital marketing has no definitive learning route that you must follow. In this article, you will read about the various ways you can venture into this field — with or without a degree. You’ll also get a sneak peek into the digital marketing trends that’ll work in 2020.
The Qualifications You Need to Become A Digital Marketer
Even though you do not need a degree, you need some education to qualify as a digital marketing specialist. This can be achieved by taking digital marketing courses or having a degree in a field related to digital marketing.
Digital Marketing Courses
Although you might not need a degree to be a digital marketer, you at least need some education that gives you fundamental insights into and experiences with the field. This also provides you with the validation of the education you need in the form of a certificate that you can give to an employer.
No matter if you are low on money or you simply dislike the lengthy period you’ll need to get a marketing degree, you can choose to take a digital marketing course that’s recognized globally.
A digital marketing course acts like a degree substitute. Instead of going to formal schooling to learn a wide array of subjects (marketing, history, math, arts), you are narrowing down your focus to the proven and current tactics of digital marketing. And it’s all packed into easily understandable lessons that you can finish up in a shorter period.
Another benefit of taking digital marketing courses is that you can focus on the discipline you want to work on. Instead of being a jack of all trades, you can concentrate on:
- Email marketing
- Marketing automation
- Product marketing
- Content marketing
- Search Engine Optimization (SEO)
The disciplines above are just a few of the many in the vast digital marketing world. The best thing to do to start is to take an introductory course and focus on going in-depth with one discipline. After testing your digital marketing skills, you can be confident and ready to pitch clients.
Statistics show that the demand for digital marketers exceeds the supply, and employers desire specialized skills more than anything. So, get the qualifications you need and start your job search. You may not get a high paying job at first but scaling higher is simply a matter of time.
A Marketing or Other Relevant Degree
You can use a bachelor’s degree in a field related to marketing, graphic design, or communication to acquire a digital marketing job.
See, if you go to college to study in the fields mentioned above, you’ll learn about market research and target customer identification along with effective communication, advertising strategies, and content optimization, to name a few. Not to mention, you’ll get a well-rounded curriculum that prepares you for the versatile digital workplace.
The main benefit of getting a marketing degree is that landing your first job wouldn’t be as hard. Even better, getting higher pay may not be much of a hustle either.
So the question is: are you ready to acquire an expensive and time-consuming degree for you to land a high paying job effortlessly? Don’t be quick to say yes; there’s more.
The technology world is continuously changing, and employers are geared more toward what you can offer to their advantage more than a fancy degree.
Does a traditional marketing degree keep up with SEO strategies? Can you learn how to create effective ad campaigns that leverage influencer marketing? Not really.
However, a degree plus a few current digital marketing skills can easily get you a six-figure job. It all boils down to the time you’re willing to put in.
How To Become A Digital Marketer
Right now, it’s abundantly clear that, with or without a degree, you need skills that help you perform basic digital marketing tasks.
Here are clear steps you can take to become a digital marketing specialist:
- Find the digital marketing type to focus on.
- Choose the learning method you’d like.
- Get the relevant qualifications with globally accepted certifications.
- Do A/B testing to know where you stand.
- Build a personal brand while highlighting your soft skills.
- Pitch for jobs to gain valuable experience.
- Keep learning to advance your digital marketing career.
While there’s no definitive approach to digital marketing, you can use proven routes to track faster. Even better, some of the following online trends will help you figure out how to impress employers.
7 Online Digital Marketing Trends for 2020 that You Must Know
The most popular trends in the digital marketing sector keep changing every year, and 2020 is no different. It incorporates some timeless trends while adding some more. The following are some projected 2020 digital marketing trends that you cannot ignore.
1. Artificial Intelligence (AI)
Since its invention, AI has proved its potential to effectually operate online practices and reduce staffing costs. Many online businesses have adopted it, placing them paces ahead of their competitors.
According to the Harvard Business Review: “One startup that makes AI-powered autonomous construction-site inspection vehicles claims that its system improved productivity by 38 percent and helped a project come in 11 percent under budget.”
It’s time to get ahead of the game and embrace AI. Digital marketers need to use it to improve their marketing strategies.
2. Personalization Engagement
Nothing makes a user feel special like personalization does. A Coca Cola bottle with the consumer’s name on it generated massive sales due to the engagement of the “Share a Coke” campaign.
Digital marketing specialists should use this in their respective fields. It can start with a low-budget personalization for buyers during holidays. No one appreciates generic ads anymore.
3. Conversational Marketing
People want conversations. Think about it: Blog posts need nearly 100% conversational tones to be successful, and chatbots are generating massive leads. To avoid distraction based losses, incorporate real-time conversations with consumers. Communicate!
4. Story Engagement
Social platform stories engage many users. No wonder brand awareness is booming in social media. Don’t be left behind. Engage potential clients if you’re a digital marketer and show them what you can do for them. Find the preferred story platform for your niche and acquire leads.
5. Relatable Influencer Marketing
A timeless marketing strategy, influencer marketing is operating at a whole new level in 2020. Research shows that influencer marketing beats traditional advertising any day.
However, one development with the concept is that the relatability of the particular influencer is more valued than their popularity. So, as a digital marketer, you should do some research before contacting an influencer.
6. Visual Search
Picture searching has drastically changed digital marketing. Pinterest lens, Google lens, and CamFind are examples of visual search tools that have mesmerized users around the globe. The “You see it, you find it” model makes users appreciate a brand even more.
7. Micro-Moments Marketing
People mainly decide to engage during these three micro-moments:
- I wish to know
- I want to go
- I would like to buy
Are you available when they are having these moments? 2020 digital marketing trends will mainly succeed through facilitating micro-moments. Why? With the advancement of technology, people wish to do things at the click of a button. So, it’s paramount to know where your customers go to and automate “being there” for them.
In Conclusion…
2020 will undoubtedly be another amazing year with phenomenal growth in digital marketing. With more opportunities for digital marketers to be successful and the fact that you don’t always need a degree, it is easier than ever to become a digital marketer.
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