Is Digital Marketing a Good Career?

Published on May 15, 2023

In business, the path less trodden often holds the most potential. As traditional marketing avenues become increasingly crowded, there’s an underexplored place that offers vast potential and unbelievable results: the digital realm. 

It’s a space where innovation meets tradition, where creativity intertwines with analysis, and where every click, every view, every share forms part of a complex, engaging narrative. This is the realm of digital marketing, a field that is still only beginning to be fully understood, appreciated, and exploited.

Now, to answer the question: Is digital marketing a good career? Absolutely. In an era where businesses are shifting rapidly towards digital platforms, the demand for proficient digital marketers is skyrocketing. This field offers promising job prospects, opportunities to drive change, and my favorite part, endless possibilities for creativity. It’s a rewarding career path that I’ve walked for years – and I wouldn’t have it any other way.

How Good Is a Career in Digital Marketing?

Digital marketing is an increasingly popular field, attracting a growing number of fresh graduates and working professionals due its high demand in virtually all industries. If anything, I can confidently say that it’s a rewarding career.

As such, it may not be the right fit for everyone, so make sure to carefully consider the following factors before making the plunge:

• High demand for digital marketers: As an aspiring digital marketer, you may find yourself up against many other equally qualified – and sometimes, more experienced – individuals. To stand out, you need to upskill and perhaps even specialise in a particular area (e.g., SEO services, content marketing, social media marketing).
• Attractive remuneration: Digital marketing can be a lucrative career. You get a higher-than-average salary, with opportunities for bonuses and profit sharing. While entry-level positions may not be as well-compensated initially, with experience and skill development, you can expect your earnings to increase.
• Flexibility and work-life balance: Many digital marketing roles offering flexible hours and remote work opportunities. However, the downside of flexi-time hours can sometimes be blurred boundaries between work and personal life.
• Creativity and impact: You can easily see the tangible impact of your work, although it may take some time before you see the results that you want. Some metrics you could rely on are increased site traffic, higher conversion rates, or improved customer engagement. The drawback is that you may feel some pressure to consistently produce results. See this pressure as a challenge rather than a setback.

Advice From Someone Who’s Been in Digital Marketing for Decades

Digital marketing can be as thrilling as it is challenging. You’ll need the mindset of lifelong learning if you want to survive in a seemingly cutthroat field (which I assure you, it isn’t really all that scary). 

1) Be Curious

The digital landscape is constantly shifting. You’re always going to be on your toes – exploring, understanding, and employing the latest trends and technologies.

But keep in mind that curiosity is not about chasing every new tool or trend that appears on the horizon. It’s about inquisitiveness, asking “why” digital campaigns either succeed or fail. It’s about looking at data not just as numbers, but as stories that can reveal insights about consumer behaviors, campaign performance, and market trends.

2) Start a Website

A personal website serves as a live sandbox where you can learn, experiment, and showcase your digital marketing skills.

Starting a website from scratch will give you hands-on experience with numerous aspects of digital marketing. You’ll learn about SEO as you try to improve your site’s visibility; delve into content marketing as you create blog posts and other types of content formats; explore the basics of web design and development. 

Practical experience is invaluable as it provides insights that can’t be gained through theory alone.

A word of caution: While starting a website is an exciting endeavor, it’s important not to get too attached to the metrics. A new website can take a long time to generate significant traffic or rank high in search results, so don’t let initial slow progress discourage you. Focus on the learning and growth that comes from the process.

Related article: Best Ecommerce Platforms For SEO (2023)

3) Don’t Buy Those Expensive Courses That Promote Instant Returns

Be wary of expensive courses promising quick results. If a marketing guru offers shortcuts that guarantee to fast-track your success, you’re setting yourself up for failure. Nothing that’s worth it ever comes easy.

Digital marketing is a complex field that requires time, effort, and hands-on experience to master. It’s not something you can become an expert in overnight or even over a few weeks. Oversimplifying the process means overlooking a lot of little, but crucial details.

Many industry experts share their knowledge through blogs, podcasts, webinars, and even on social media. Online platforms – like Coursera, Udemy, and LinkedIn Learning – also offer comprehensive courses usually at a fraction of the price.

Pro tip: No course, however comprehensive or expensive, can substitute for practical experience. The real learning in digital marketing comes from doing – from running campaigns, analysing their performance, and using those insights to make improvements. Consider courses only as leverage when building a solid foundation.

4) Niche Down to One Area of Digital Marketing

As a newcomer, you might feel compelled to master all the specialties in digital marketing, but that’s just a burnout recipe waiting to happen.

Specialising in one area allows you to develop deep expertise, making you more valuable to potential employers or clients. They’ll be convinced that you’re always at the top of your game.

Choosing a niche should not be a hurried decision. Take your time exploring where your interests and strengths lie. For instance, if you’re creative and enjoy storytelling, content marketing might be a good fit. If you’re analytical and detail-oriented, you might excel in SEO. 

See how the different pieces of the puzzle fit together: website design, email marketing, search engine optimisation, copywriting, content manager, social media marketing, and graphic design, among others.

Related article: Need Great SEO Service in Australia?

5) Read and Listen to Digital Marketing Content Every Day

Given the rapid pace of change in this industry, continuous learning is not just beneficial; it’s essential.

When you expose yourself to content about digital marketing – whether that’s reading articles, listening to podcasts, or watching webinars – you’ll learn more about different perspectives and ideas that you can apply to your work.

I do acknowledge that the vast amount of content out there can be overwhelming. To manage this, choose your favorite sources. Some of mine are the blog pages of SEMrush, Kate Toon, Search Engine Journal, and Yoast.

6) Get Experience (Even if It Means Doing Some Things for Free)

Digital marketing is a hands-on field. You can’t settle with being an armchair expert. 

In the early stages of your career, gaining practical, real-world experience might mean taking up unpaid internships, volunteering for projects, or offering your services for free to nonprofits, small businesses, or even friends and family.

These opportunities allow you to apply what you’ve learned, understand the challenges of real-world digital marketing, and build a portfolio that can enhance your employability.

Pro tip: Working for free should be a temporary strategy. Get experience and a portfolio to get your foot in the door, then start valuing your work and seeking paid opportunities.

Remember that every experience, whether successful or not, brings learning opportunities. Don’t be afraid to make mistakes as they are often the most significant catalysts for growth. Embrace a growth mindset, viewing challenges and setbacks as opportunities to learn and improve. Failure is redirection.

Related article: How to Write Great SEO Content

7) Copy the Greats

Last but not the least, learn from those who are successful in the field. This doesn’t mean plagiarising their work or blindly copying their strategies, but rather analyzing their work, understanding what makes them successful, and drawing lessons that you can apply in your own career journey.

Successful digital marketers have already done a lot of the trial and error for you. They’ve figured out what works and what doesn’t in their particular niche. Pick their brains by studying their outputs. Adapt their strategies to suit your context. At the same time, learn from their failures.

Pro tip: While “copying the greats” can accelerate your learning, it’s crucial to develop your own voice and style over time. Digital marketing is as much an art as it is a science, and creativity and authenticity often make the difference between good and great digital marketers. So take inspiration from others, but let your individuality shine.

Any Questions? Feel Free to Drop a Message

A career in digital marketing is much more than just a job. It’s a journey into a world that’s filled with with innovation, creativity, and endless possibilities. But let’s not sugarcoat it – it also demands a fair share of grit.

I have no doubt that digital marketing is a good career choice, especially in today’s digital-first era. Sure, there will be challenges, but each one is an opportunity to learn, grow, and evolve. Your experiences drive you forward. The world of digital marketing is yours to explore – jump in and make a splash. 

If you have any questions or just want general career advice, let’s have quick chat!