Digital marketing is one of the most in-demand skillsets today. But if you don’t have any experience, you may be wondering how to break into the field. Not to worry—you can become a digital marketer without any experience. You just have to follow our guide.
Can You Become a Digital Marketer With No Experience?
Yes! But as with any career, the journey will be easier if you have some prior digital marketing knowledge and experience to draw from. Luckily, there is a plethora of resources and pathways available to you, even if you’re just starting out.
How To Land a Digital Marketing Job With No Experience
A digital marketing expert is an individual with a comprehensive understanding of the online marketing landscape and all the digital marketing techniques, advertising platforms, and processes involved. To land an entry-level digital marketing job, you’ll need to understand these essential digital marketing concepts, terms, and processes. Here’s how to make that happen:
Pick a Specialty That Interests You
There is a wide variety of digital marketing specialties available to you, including:
- Search engine optimization (SEO)
- Pay-per-click (PPC) advertising
- Social media marketing
- Email marketing
- Content marketing
- Influencer marketing
These digital marketing specialties are essential to a company’s overall marketing strategy, so choose a specialty that you find interesting and engaging.
Build Your Foundational Knowledge
To become a digital marketer, you’ll need to build a solid understanding of digital advertising concepts and best practices. Educational blog posts, YouTube tutorials, Reddit threads, and other free resources—such as this SEO best practices guide—are great ways to build your foundational knowledge.
For example, as a new content marketer, you may want to refresh your data analytics skills using Google Analytics or another analytics tool. Or, if you specialize in social media marketing, become more familiar with social media metrics platforms like Hootsuite or Sprout Social.
Related Read: How To Become a Social Media Manager With No Experience
Take a Course or Get a Certificate
For a more comprehensive understanding of digital marketing, you may want to consider taking an online digital marketing course or even getting a professional certificate. This is an excellent way to learn digital marketing concepts and gain some hands-on experience using the latest digital marketing tools.
If you’re unsure what type of training to pursue, check out this post on the difference between digital marketing degrees, bootcamps, and certificates.
Build a Digital Marketing Portfolio
Once you understand the basics of digital marketing, it’s time to put your skills to the test. The best way to do this is to build a portfolio of real marketing projects that you can showcase to potential employers.
Exploring a PPC advertising platform such as Google Ads or Facebook Ads is a great way to get started, as they provide quick results that can be easily measured. This will give you valuable insights into your digital marketing skills and show employers that you understand digital marketing concepts.
Network Online and In-Person
To land your first digital marketing job, make sure you’re networking—online and in-person—with other digital marketing specialists. There are many social media platforms—such as LinkedIn, Twitter, and Facebook—where you can connect with digital marketing experts.
It’s also helpful to attend digital marketing conferences and meet-up events. These are excellent opportunities to meet more experienced professionals, make connections, and get your foot in the door of the tech industry.
Look for Agency and In-House Jobs
A good way to break into the digital marketing industry is to apply for jobs at both digital marketing agencies and in-house opportunities. Working for a digital marketing agency is a great way to gain valuable professional experience, and will help you build your portfolio with a wide range of clients.
Consider Related Jobs To Get Your Foot in the Door
Another way to gain professional experience as a digital marketer is to consider related jobs that can help you build your technical skills and grow your portfolio. Some examples of associated jobs include:
- Content Marketing Specialist
- Tech Sales Representative
- Social Media Manager
- Digital Marketing Consultant
- UI/UX Designer
- Content Writer
- Data Analyst
- Brand and Logo Designers
Each of these roles will provide you with valuable insights and soft skills that can transfer to a career in digital marketing.
Build Professional Experience With Cheap Freelancing
Job boards and cheap freelancing platforms—such as Upwork and Fiverr—make it easy to search for digital marketing projects that you can do from home. Although not recommended as a long-term solution, this can be a great way to connect with potential clients and build your portfolio.
Customize Your Resume and Cover Letter for Each Job
When trying to land an entry-level digital marketing position, it’s important to customize your resume and cover letter for each job that you’re applying for.
What To Expect From Entry-Level Marketing Jobs
If you are looking to break into the digital marketing world, you should know what to expect from an entry-level position. Here is a list of some everyday tasks and responsibilities you can expect to encounter as a new digital marketer.
Endless Learning
Digital marketing professionals are lifelong learners. Because the industry is constantly evolving, it is essential to stay up-to-date on the latest trends and technologies. The best way to do this is by reading articles, attending webinars and conferences, accessing online learning platforms such as Linkedin Learning, attending free online courses, and networking with other digital marketing experts.
Employers often expect new hires to hit the ground running. So you may have to learn new skills on your own.
Processes and SOPs
As a digital marketer, you will be expected to adhere to standard operating procedures (SOPs). SOPs are detailed instructions that outline the standard processes for different digital marketing activities, such as creating and optimizing landing pages, measuring conversion rate optimization parameters, or running PPC campaigns.
Some entry-level marketing jobs may require you to complete certain tasks without much supervision. So, you need to be comfortable working with SOPs and have the ability to follow instructions.
Lots of Research and Data Entry
One of the main tasks you will encounter in entry-level marketing roles is data entry and research. You may need to collect data from various sources and input it into marketing software or Excel spreadsheets. This data can then be used to create reports or inform marketing decisions.
Data science skills, including data analysis and data visualization, are a valuable asset for new digital marketers.
Regular Teamwork and Observation
As a new digital marketer, you will work closely with other team members and have tasks that require teamwork. This may include collaborating with designers on creative projects, working with copywriters to create compelling ad copy, or brainstorming with digital marketing consultants and other marketing experts.
Autonomy Over Time
As you gain more experience and become more familiar with the digital marketing industry, you can expect to have greater autonomy over the tasks you complete and the projects you work on.
Gaining autonomy over time is an essential aspect of professional growth, as it allows you to take ownership of your career path and develop your skills in a way that fits your interests.
Since you’re here…
Ready for a career in digital marketing? Test our curriculum with this free digital marketing learning path, and check out our salary guide to see what you could be making.
