The Skills You’ll Need to Become a Digital Marketer in 2020
It has never been a better time to pursue a career in digital marketing. With COVID-19 having turned the global economy on its head, workers and freelancers alike are looking to upskill and boost their online working opportunities in the process. For the right individuals, a career in digital marketing can tick both of these boxes.
Here are the top digital marketing skills to make a shift in 2020.
1. Social Media Skills
A solid grasp of the ins-and-outs of a range of social media platforms is an excellent place for any budding digital marketer to start. The list of social media channels appears to grow by the day, and between Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, Pinterest, Twitter, YouTube and countless others, most firms struggle to keep up with shifting market and audience trends.
This is where social media expertise as a digital marketer is vital, as is keeping abreast of changing algorithms and user experiences on each platform that could impact existing online strategies and planned campaigns.
2. Copywriting Skills
Having excellent copywriting skills is essential to being a good digital marketer, as copy is needed for every piece of media a brand plans to produce, including blog posts, press releases, social media posts and website content.
Fortunately, the internet offers a wealth of free copywriting courses available to budding digital marketers. Key learning outcomes include knowing how to appeal to customers, the difference between selling and educating, and how to write with a strong voice.
3. SEO Skills
The demand for professionals with SEO expertise is growing by the month. If anything is true, it’s that the internet is not short of content, posing a significant challenge for companies determined to stand-out.
Individuals with knowledge of how search engines work, and how to optimize websites and content to prioritize a brand in search engine results, are hot property. Building a bank of SEO expertise is an excellent way to launch a career in digital marketing.
4. Email Marketing Skills
Email marketing is an excellent way for brands to increase their revenue by reaching out to existing customers, or users with a previously demonstrated interest in a brand’s message, product or service.
A digital marketer capable of guiding a campaign with the right tools, and properly analyzing the effectiveness of that campaign, is an invaluable asset to any business looking to grow in 2020.
5. Graphic Design Skills
While not mandatory, graphic design skills are an excellent value-add for any digital marketer to offer potential employers or clients. While a business will typically hire someone with a specifically design-designated role on any given project, a digital marketer who offers graphic design skills can price their services at a higher level- or even start their own consulting business.
For those who didn’t attend a fine arts school, there is a bevy of graphic design courses available online. From basic graphic design principles and best practices to understanding the best programs and tools for graphic design projects, anyone can pick up core graphic design skills without ever leaving their sofa!
Choosing to build a career in digital marketing means choosing to work in an industry that is fast-paced and ever-evolving. There’s never a dull day on the job!
