In India “Eight in 10 employees are dissatisfied with their jobs” according to an article published by economictimes.indiatimes.com which surveyed over 1,100 working professionals.
For the lucky two in 10 that are satisfied, all the power to you! However, for the rest of you, worry not for there is a solution! If you haven’t heard of it, let me be the first to introduce you to the exciting and rapidly emerging industry known as Digital Marketing and the many career opportunities available to anyone, anywhere!
What exactly is Digital Marketing?
In layman terms, Digital Marketing is the term used when a company is looking to promote their business via the world wide web (i.e. Facebook, Google, YouTube, etc.). The goal being; increase public awareness to ultimately increase sales. The career of a Digital Marketer is fast-paced and constantly changing. Due to the continuous improvement and evolution of technology Digital Marketers must stay up to date with the latest industry techniques, tools and strategies.
The Digital Marketing landscape is filled with numerous niche jobs, here are a few of the more commonly known and currently in demand positions;
- Content Creator
- Social Media Manager
- Brand Management
- Email Marketing Specialist
- Copywriter
- Professional Blogger
- S.E.O/S.E.M Specialist
- Data Analyst
- Web Designer
- Marketing Manager/Director
- And many more….
One can spend an eternity reading relevant information on the broad subject; therefore, it is advised to explore the positions in order to narrow down the scope of information you will be researching. For example, someone who decides to pursue Social Media Manager wouldn’t be advised to first start reading about the intricacies of S.E.O.
Check out the list of the positions provided, I recommend reading a few blogs, watching a few “day in the life of” type videos and reading a several job postings for the particular position. This will give you a better understanding of the duties and responsibilities that go along with the job.
Where do I start?
Fortunately, the internet is overflowing with both free and paid courses, along with a plethora of information on skills needed to excel as a Digital Marketer. Learning new skills, or sharpening old ones like Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Illustrator, Microsoft Office, Google Office, will only strengthen your resume as a digital marketer.
Here is a list of great educational websites where you can take short courses that will improve your skills and increase your chances when it comes time to sending out that resume!
- Udemy.com
- Coursera.org
- Skillcrush.com
- Udacity.com
- Codeacademy.com
- Masterclass.com
- Pluralsight.com
- Among many others…
Although great information can be acquired through these means, not all information is equally useful or up to date. To truly get an in-depth understanding of the field and all it encompasses it is highly recommended to enrol and become certified through an accredited Digital Marketing Course.
Do I need to be certified?
The official answer is no, however taking the right Digital Marketing course comes with a handful of benefits. For starters you will build a foundation in the essential disciplines necessary for succeeding in the industry while deciding the area in which you would like to specialize and you will gain hands on experience with software and tools used by industry leaders.
Although not an official requirement “it acts as instant social proof and credibility” to employers, says Neil Patel, who is one of today’s most prolific Digital Marketers.
Paid online courses can range anywhere from $199-$1999+ and typically run from 8-12 weeks in length. Along with PAID online courses there are also many FREE online courses that provide certification upon completion and that are actually very sought out and at times even required by employers.
Below is a list of some of the most valuable and commonly requested FREE courses available online;
- Google Analytic Academy Certifications
- Google Skill Shop Certifications
- Facebook Blueprint Certification
- Hootsuite Social Marketing Certification
- HubSpot Content Marketing Certification
This is a great way to start as all it requires is your time and dedication!
Ready to become part of the ‘two in 10’?
As the stats show us, an overwhelming number of people are not satisfied with their current position, yet, understandably, very few assemble the courage necessary to make the leap and accept all the challenges and obstacles that come with change.
Luckily for you, you’re able to start with baby steps. I implore you to do the research and take a few FREE online courses. This will get your feet wet, introduce you to this new world filled with opportunity and hopefully have you on the path to a new and exciting career!
“Take a chance. You never know how perfect something might turn out to be”
BY: JOHN GIL
About the Author
Previously coming from a background in sales and traditional marketing, I entered the world of Digital Marketing to explore my creative nature and passion for design. Ive never looked back!
For more blogs: https://blog.aleph-technologies.com/
ALEPH GLOBAL SCRUM TEAM ™
As a company comprised of individuals who have seen the vast number of improvements the Agile mindset can bring, It has become our resolute mission to bring Agile practices to every workplace the world over.
