Digital Marketing as a career pathway

In this era, we all know that our fast changing world is ultimately getting transformed into a Digital World. Everything now has become digital. There was a time when we went to the shop directly and purchased our needs. But now everything has changed. Once we started using the internet services or mobile apps, we slowly stopped going to the shops for the purchase of groceries, consumer durable, mobiles, laptop, camera, other electronic gadgets, etc., etc. Anyone who got a desktop, laptop or mobile along with an internet connection can shop online by sitting at home itself. Even many written exams or competitive exams have been changed to computer based online exams.

Understand what is Digital Marketing?In simple words, Digital Marketing is the process of marketing of goods, products, content, brands or services through the internet. This involves the use of various digital services or technologies available online through a computer system, mobile phones, Tablet computer, Laptops,etc.

Digital Marketing Services includes:

• Search Engine Optimization (SEO)

• Search Engine Marketing (SEM) or Pay-Per-Click (PPC)

• Social Media Marketing (SMM)

• Social Media Optimization (SMO)

• Website Development and Management

• Blogging / Content Marketing

• Google Ads

• Affiliate Marketing

Associated Benefits of Digital Marketing in comparison to Traditional Marketing

• Helps in bringing more audience or customers as it has got a wide reach.

• If you are running a business, regardless of its size, digital marketing helps to grow in no time by boosting sales and profits.

• Online Marketing is less expensive and less time consuming as compared to traditional mode like TV ads, Radio ads, Ad hoarding.

• Under Digital Marketing, our results are more transparent and can be assessed with a minimum period of time

• Compared to Traditional methods, there are no associated installation or maintenance costs.

Who can all study digital marketing?

Many would be wondering whether they are eligible to become a digital marketer or choose their career as digital marketing instead of other streams like Commerce, Arts, Law, CA, etc. There are no entrance exams for becoming a digital marketer like Medicine or Engineering. Just like for studying Aeronautics you need to have studied Physics and Mathematics, there is not such an eligibility required for studying digital marketing, despite the fact that you should have sufficient knowledge on computers and possess adequate internet skills. Anyone who is willing to dedicate their time can study digital marketing or become a digital marketer. Only thing you need is a computer system with an internet connection. A person with basic education, a business entrepreneur who wishes to diversify his/her business, a housewife who wishes to earn income from home to support her family, an MBA professional or even an Engineer can study digital marketing course.

From where to Study?

Till now you have understood the basics of digital marketing, its benefits and who all study the digital marketing course. Next thing is from where to study a digital marketing course. There are a number of options left for you for example enrolling online courses, joining as an assistant to a well known digital marketer or to study at a well known digital marketing institution. If you are an expert and have got self confidence thinking that you will pick up with time then you can choose online courses to study this. If you have got sufficient and adequate knowledge in this field and choose to work as an assistant to a well known digital marketer, there won’t be any career benefit. It takes a lot of time to establish your own identity.

If you are a beginner, who wishes to study right from the basics of digital marketing then the only option left for you is to search for the best institution that provides you Digital Marketing Course Certificate. Following points are to be noted before choosing an institution:

1. Check for the reviews and testimonials of past students. If possible find a way to communicate with the one who has completed the course from that institution.

2. Consider the reputation and brand value of that institution like how long they had been in this service or compare their rank with the competitors.

3. Whether sufficient infrastructural facilities are provided with high-end systems and good network connection.

4. Many institutions show that they are top rated with huge infrastructures and other facilities but lack well qualified trainers or faculties. Faculties or guides play an important role in uplifting your career. Only if you are trained by an expert faculty who is also a professional, you can move in the right career path.

5. An institution that provides you with sufficient hours of practical training. Theoretical knowledge does not alone assure you a flourishing career as a digital marketer. You will gain only if you practice under live projects.

6. Different institutions charge you different fees. Some can charge you high with less topics. So,it is very important to select an institution after considering the fact whether they provide you sufficient knowledge according to the fees paid, i.e whether all important topics related to this are covered or not within the promised time.

7. Whether appropriate certificates and placements are given or not. By Ensuring the fact that they provide you with a valid certification and also guide you to acquire various certification provided by Google that can add an additional feather to your booming career in this field.

Career Path

In the coming years, the job opportunities in the field of digital marketing can go upto 20 lakhs. As of now there is less competition in this field. So make use of this opportunity as soon as possible. Taking about the career path in the field of digital marketing, there are a number of opportunities left for you. Some of the important roles that you can choose under this field are given below:

• Web designer or Web developer

For any business it is a must to have websites to create brand awareness and drive more buyers attention towards your content. Web designers are responsible for coding, designing and maintaining your websites. If you don’t have prior knowledge on coding, decoding, Javascript, CSS, Wordpress, it is better to hire a web designer.

• An SEO Expert or an SEO Specialist

An SEO helps in bringing more traffic to a website or brand by improving your ranks in Google or Search Engine Result Pages (SERPs)

• Search Engine Marketing Expert

If the business company does not have experts to promote their content, a well-designed website will be of no use and thus it is better for any company to hire SEO executives as they are the one responsible for driving more web traffic and improving the Google rankings on SERPs. They have to make sure that the contents are user friendly and compatible on both computer systems as well as mobiles. They have to conduct frequent research on keywords, SEO tools, check for domain scores by using online tools, building sitemaps and submit them etc.

• Social Media Executive or Manager

Nowadays we can find most of the people on social media sites like Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Whatsapp, etc. Even many celebrities, politicians, bureaucrats, businessmen, etc use social media websites or apps. This is one of the best possible ways to promote your product or brand for free. Social Media Marketers possess a high level of creativity that helps in selling your ideas, contents, products, or services for a nominal amount. If you are not knowledgeable in this field, then it is better for you to hire a social media manager. For eg: Facebook ads manager is a platform where you can sell your products online and earn income by driving more buyers.

• Content Marketer

Many business establishments lack proper content to promote them. Content helps in creating and improving brand awareness. If you can write better than what is already available then you can choose this as your career path. Blog writing and submission, forum participation, Blog commenting, etc are few job roles of a content marketer.

• Freelancer

If you are interested you can also choose to work as a freelance digital marketer.

There are also other roles which you can choose under this field. Such as:

• Email Marketer or Manager

• Analytics Manager

• Affiliate Marketer

• CRM manager

• E-commerce manager

Salary Packages

The average salary for a Digital Marketing Manager in India is? 5 Lacs annum. This can vary with change in your expertise and knowledge. Like if you are a beginner and at the start of your career, then your salary ranges anywhere between? 2-3 Lacs per annum. If you have got experience say about 3-5 years, then your salary package is anywhere between? 5-10 lacs per annum. But if you are much more experienced, i.e you have been in this field for more than 10-20 years, then the companies are willing to spend more than? 50 lacs per annum as CTC. You can also earn more if you get a job as a digital marketer abroad.

An enthusiast and an explorer, seeking bliss through lend a helping hand for all.