If it seems like everyone around you is working in marketing, there’s a reason why: the field of marketing is incredibly vast and as competition grows in practically every field, so does the need for innovative marketing techniques that set a company’s products and services apart from similar options.
And for those looking to break into digital marketing, we don’t blame you: with roles for practically every single skill set, the field of digital marketing is growing rapidly. The path to success in marketing, however, isn’t exactly a walk in the park and will require a certain level of commitment and dedication on your part as you find the right place for you.
What does that path look like? That’s exactly what we’re going to answer in this post.
The Specialties within Digital Marketing
Before we dive right into the steps to break into the world of digital marketing, let’s cover another important topic: the different specialties within digital marketing. As we mentioned before, digital marketing is an incredibly broad sector with a need for a wide range of skills and experiences. So the first step of diving into digital marketing is figuring out exactly where your skills will set you up for success:
Content marketing: content experts create and distribute valuable material to attract and engage target audiences, supporting brand awareness and lead generation.
SEO (Search Engine Optimization): SEO specialists optimize websites and content to improve search engine rankings, driving organic traffic and increasing visibility.
SEM (Search Engine Marketing): SEM managers run paid advertising campaigns, like Google Ads, to boost traffic and generate leads through search engine platforms.
Social media marketing: social media managers develop and implement strategies to grow communities, build brand awareness, and engage followers across platforms.
Email marketing: email marketers craft and send targeted campaigns to nurture leads, promote products, and retain customers with personalized content.
PPC (Pay-Per-Click) advertising: PPC specialists oversee paid ad campaigns, ensuring effective spending to drive traffic and maximize conversions.
Affiliate marketing: affiliate marketers collaborate with partners and influencers to promote products, earning commissions based on sales generated through referrals.
Influencer marketing: marketing teams partner with influencers to promote products, leveraging their audience to extend brand reach.
Analytics: analysts monitor and interpret campaign data to optimize strategies, making adjustments to improve performance and maximize ROI.
There are lots of options, right? We told you. And while it might seem overwhelming at first, think of it this way: this wide range of desired skills and experiences within the marketing fields means that the likelihood of you finding your spot in the field is much higher. Therefore, the first step in starting your digital marketing journey is to explore the aforementioned areas and choose one–or a few–areas that best align with your skills.
How to Get Into Digital Marketing
Because the field of digital marketing is so vast and ever-changing, there is no one path or degree you need to land a role in the sector; instead, companies will value your skill set and experience with marketing concepts when hiring for marketing roles.
That said, having some knowledge of marketing is best for your career trajectory and preparing yourself for the marketing job market will look a little something like what we’ve outlined below.
Familiarizing yourself with the basics of marketing
Particularly for entry-level roles, you won’t be expected to be a marketing expert with years of experience under your belt, but you should understand the basics of marketing, such as the following:
What SEO/SEM are and how they can affect your marketing strategy.
How different marketing techniques, such as email marketing, advertising, and social media, work together to optimize your strategy.
The role that analytics plays in marketing strategies.
How the different areas of marketing work as individual parts of a bigger idea.
Exploring digital marketing tools
With the basics down, getting your hands dirty with some of the most commonly used digital marketing tools will not only help you further understand marketing techniques, but also add useful skills to your resume when it comes time to apply for a job.
Getting hands-on practice is challenging, but potential employers will want to see that you have experience with tools, so taking the time to create your own website or launch your own campaigns can give you valuable experience that will propel your career forward and make you an interesting candidate for marketing roles.
If you’re unsure of where to start, check out your favorite brands and how they market across various platforms, taking notes of where there are differences.
Creating a portfolio
Many marketing roles, especially those in content and social media marketing, request that applicants submit a portfolio along with their application and starting your portfolio from day one of your marketing journey will help facilitate the application process later on.
Even if you’re new to marketing, there are still valuable things you can include in your portfolio, such as writing samples, projects you’ve worked on, your own social accounts, data you’ve collected about your previous work or brands–as the marketing field is so broad, there is no limit to what you can include. Just make sure you tie everything together, ultimately linking it back to marketing.
Networking in marketing
Making a name for yourself online is a great way to get noticed for digital marketing opportunities; networking is a fantastic way to get started. Demonstrating thought leadership within the marketing field, or the specific area you’ve chosen to focus on, will show your expertise on marketing matters, in addition to simply getting your name out there.
In case you’re looking for more comprehensive and structured ways of getting into marketing, Ironhack’s Digital Marketing Bootcamp offers a comprehensive and hands-on approach to mastering the skills needed in today’s fast-paced marketing landscape. By learning directly from industry experts, working on real-world projects, and gaining experience with the latest tools and techniques, you’ll be well-equipped to break into the field of digital marketing.
Whether you’re starting fresh or looking to level up, a bootcamp provides the structure and support you need to land a job in this ever-evolving industry. Ready to take the first step toward your digital marketing career? Enroll in Ironhack’s Digital Marketing Bootcamp and gain the skills, confidence, and hands-on experience to stand out in the job market. Your future in digital marketing starts now!
About the Author:
Juliette Carreiro is a tech writer, with two years of experience writing in-depth articles for Ironhack. Covering everything from career advice and navigating the job ladder, to the future impact of AI in the global tech space, Juliette is the go-to for Ironhack’s community of aspiring tech professionals.
