5 Tips for a Successful Career in Digital Marketing
Nathan Mendenhall
We’re in a transformative era for the marketing world, where the old paradigms of TV and radio advertising are rapidly giving way to the digital domain. Today, with just an internet connection, anyone can launch a marketing career or start an entrepreneurial journey, armed with the right mentorship and an insatiable appetite for knowledge. The shift has been monumental, with digital advertising expenditures on platforms like Facebook, Google, and Instagram overtaking traditional advertising for the first time in recent years. This change heralds a booming opportunity for careers in digital marketing. Drawing on my decade of experience, I’m excited to share key lessons from the forefront of this digital revolution.
Who the heck am I? I am Nate Mendenhall, Director of Digital Strategy and Business Development at THAT Agency in West Palm Beach, Florida. As a full-service digital marketing firm, THAT Agency specializes in helping brands drive business with social media marketing, search engine marketing, email marketing, inbound marketing, and web design. I have been fortunate enough to work with brands of all sizes, ranging from small startups to Fortune 50 corporations. I have had a lot of wins (and losses) along the way, but here are my five best tips for a successful career in digital marketing.
1. Start NOW
As I mentioned before, anyone with internet access has the potential to start learning how to build a business using digital marketing. Whether you are a freshman in college or working on your master’s degree, you have equal opportunity to start learning the tools used to promote a brand through digital marketing. There are a lot of places you can get started. Here are a few FREE resources:
- Google Analytics 4 – This is a great training series on how to analyze digital marketing performance using Google’s measurement tools.
- HubSpot Inbound Certification – This is a comprehensive class on how different marketing channels interact with one another to work together synergistically.
- HubSpot Social Media Certification – This is a social media-specific certification offered by one of the industry’s leading marketing and sales software providers.
- Meta Blueprint – Straight from the social media giant itself, these training classes will teach you how to market on Facebook and Instagram as well as how to run ads on both platforms.
The more you can learn before applying for professional digital marketing jobs, the better. You will not only have a head start over your competition in the job market, but also be able to ask for a higher starting salary!
2. Never Stop Learning
The most challenging aspect of digital marketing is that it is always evolving. Technology and strategy change rapidly, so the learning never stops. Even after you finish different certification courses, you will notice not all your questions have been answered. In fact, despite a decade of experience, there are still aspects to digital marketing that I continue to research. The more well-rounded you are as a marketer, the more effective you will be. Get your hands on every digital marketing blog, webinar, and podcast you can!
3. Ask A LOT of Questions
When you get your first job in digital marketing, you will feel the need to prove your value immediately. This is normal. However, it is also dangerous because you don’t have the experience to back up your ideas… yet. Asking questions is the best way to learn and gain context about a situation. Listen intently, and don’t be afraid to seek clarification. We almost always need more information than what is presented initially. It is also not a bad idea to take a lot of notes. I recommend platforms like Evernote for organizing your thoughts and questions, and for creating a searchable hub of professional knowledge you have gained.
4. Shift Your Perspective
When developing your career in digital marketing, you will want to look at the world a little differently. Look at everything through the lens of a marketer. I mean, everything! When you are watching TV and see a commercial, or when you are browsing Instagram and see an ad, ask yourself the following questions:
- Who is this advertiser trying to target?
- Is this a memorable message? Why or why not?
- Would I react positively to this message? Why or why not?
Giving yourself this mini pop quiz when you see digital marketing messages will help you develop a more analytical mindset. 99% of people who consume advertising never think twice about it. Be the 1% who deliberately pays attention, so you can learn faster!
5. Test Everything
You never know what will work (or not work) until you test it. Early in your career, allow yourself to test different tactics and be willing to embrace being wrong. You WILL make mistakes, you WILL have campaigns that flop, and you WILL have times you feel like a rock star because your tactic worked. Testing things like colors, images, calls to action, text, and even different font types will help you dial in on what strategies drive the best results. Never be too proud to test!
Charting Your Path to Success in Digital Marketing with UFCJC
The journey towards a successful career in digital marketing is both exciting and challenging, offering endless opportunities for growth and innovation. As the landscape continues to evolve, staying ahead requires continuous learning and adaptability. The University of Florida’s Online Master’s in Digital Strategy program provides a comprehensive platform for those eager to dive deeper into the intricacies of digital marketing and emerge as leaders in this dynamic field. By embracing the principles discussed in this article and engaging with advanced educational resources like UF’s program, you’re setting the stage for a rewarding and impactful career in digital marketing. Explore the program today and take the first step towards mastering the digital strategy that will define the future of marketing.
Posted: February 27, 2019
Category: Careers, Digital Marketing, Resumes, UF CJC Online Blog
