Digital marketing is one of the fastest-growing industries and one of the most exciting career paths for people who love to learn and have a passion for connecting people. Whether you dream of working for a digital marketing agency or for a digital marketing agency of your own, it’s clear that this is the future of marketing.
With the continued adoption of digital technology, the demand for digitally-savvy marketers will only continue to grow. However, the field can be challenging, as it requires a unique set of skills, both in-marketing as well as in-software.
So how can you get ahead of the curve and start your career in digital marketing? Here’s everything you need to know. This article provides a high-level overview of the future of digital marketing jobs and how to prepare for it if you’re interested in a new role.
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The Future of Digital Marketing Jobs
Digital marketing has become an essential component of modern marketing, and it’s set to become even more pervasive in the years ahead.
In fact, eMarketer estimates that digital marketing will account for nearly $246 billion in ad spending in the US in 2021.
Digital marketing offers marketers a lot of benefits. For example, it allows them to target people with specific content and messages, which makes it a much more effective way of reaching your target audience. It also allows you to measure your efforts much more effectively than with traditional marketing methods. But as with any other area of marketing, not every digital marketing job is created equal. Some are much more competitive than others, so it’s important to know what to look for when searching for a new job.
With nearly 40 percent of the workforce projected to be freelancers by 2021, the future of digital marketing jobs looks bright. As people turn to independent work to reduce their workload and increase freedom, the demand for digital marketers is projected to increase 16 percent between now and 2020.
With the continued adoption of digital technology, the demand for digitally-savvy marketers will only continue to grow. So, if you’re ready to jump on board the future of digital marketing, here’s what you can expect.
Digital marketing jobs will continue to grow at a rapid pace due to the increase in demand for digital technology, coupled with the increase in the number of companies using digital marketing. However, the field can be challenging, as it requires a unique set of skills, both in-marketing as well as in-software.
What does the Future of Digital Marketing Look Like?
Right now, you have the unique opportunity to predict the future of digital marketing. As you explore different digital marketing opportunities, you’ll see a variety of trends emerge. This makes you one of the most knowledgeable professionals in the market!
While the future of digital marketing will be dynamic, there are a few major themes that can help you forecast the future of marketing. Here they are.
- Increased Industry Focus on the Cloud: The future of digital marketing is all about leveraging the benefits of the cloud. From increased speed and scale to lower cost of ownership, the cloud will be the key differentiator for most companies.
- Increased Investment in AI: AI is a hot topic in digital marketing. It will impact how we find and engage with content, how we manage our marketing operations, and how we collaborate with partners.
- Increased Focus on Programmatic Media Buying: Media buying has existed for a long time. But, programmatic is a newer concept that leverages technology to buy and sell media based on specific business rules.
- Increased Use of VR/AR: Similar to VR/AR, mixed reality will see a lot of adoption in the future of digital marketing. It blends the real world with computer-generated imagery in an overlay or “glovebox” environment.
- Increased Use of Chat Bots: Chat bots are a growing trend in the future of digital marketing. Companies are using them to increase customer engagement and build better relationships with customers.
- Increased Focus on Personalization: Companies are focusing on personalized content and experiences to better target their audiences. From in-product personalization to helpful reminders, companies are tailoring the customer journey to be more helpful.
What are the Skills You’ll Need to Have in the Future of Digital Marketing?
It’s important to note that digital marketing is a broad field. There will always be room for professionals with different skills and expertise. However, it’s also important to have some common digital marketing skills.
One of the best ways to get ahead of the curve is to get hands-on experience with different software tools as you work towards your digital marketing degree.
As you explore various digital marketing opportunities, you’ll notice there are several trends emerging. This makes you one of the most knowledgeable professionals in the market!
Having the right digital marketing skills can help you achieve your goals in a number of ways. For example, knowing how to create content, run marketing campaigns, and manage customer relations can help you achieve your business and personal goals.
However, it’s not enough to have the right skills. You need to apply them effectively.
Learn to Code
If you love technology, and especially if you love computers, learning how to code is one of the best ways to get ahead in the future of digital marketing jobs.
Coding is a very broad field. It’s not just about learning a specific language or framework. It’s about learning how to write software.
While it sounds intimidating, it doesn’t have to be. There are a lot of resources out there that can help you learn to code. You just need to find the best one.
Begin with a beginner’s coding course. This will give you a broad foundation that you can build on as you continue to learn more advanced topics.
Gain Exposure to Different Software Tools
One of the best ways to get ahead in the future of digital marketing jobs is to try new things.
It’s easy to get stuck in a rut as a marketer. It’s easy to fall into the same old routine and follow the same old path.
Learning to try new things will make you more open-minded and help you think outside the box.
So, how do you do this? Well, it’s important to try new things. That said, you also need to do it in a way that helps you learn from your mistakes. You can do this by following these steps.
First, try something small. Don’t get so excited about the idea that you try too hard or fail. It may seem like a small thing when you first try it, but it may open up new doors for you later.
Next, look for feedback from your colleagues and/or your customers. This can help you learn from your mistakes and adjust your approach accordingly.
Last, look for opportunities to try new things that may seem unrelated to your current company or industry. This will help you grow your digital marketing skill set in a way that’s not correlated to your company’s success.
Networking is Key
As you work towards your digital marketing degree, it’s important to build your network.
As you advance in your career, you’ll need to build your network in order to land new opportunities and find mentors.
This is especially important for digital marketers whose companies are not in-house. You may want to join local marketing associations, attend industry events, and find other ways to connect with other marketers.
The best way to do this is through networking. Connect with other marketers on LinkedIn, Twitter, Instagram, and other platforms that allow for quick, one-to-one conversations.
Keep your conversations informal and casual. Maintain a healthy balance between networking and socializing. Remember that you want to build real relationships with other professionals.
Conclusion
Digital marketing has grown by leaps and bounds over the past decade. It has evolved from being solely push-based marketing, to being a mix of digital and traditional marketing tactics.
The future of digital marketing, however, will be driven by the adoption of technology such as Artificial Intelligence, Augmented Reality, and Virtual Reality.
As the future of digital marketing jobs continues to look bright, it’s important to be prepared for it. The best way to do this is to get your hands dirty and start learning how to code.
