Ah, marketing. It’s arguably the most dynamic department in any business.
I mean, come on, your job description is literally to make noise about the company and its product or services. Unlike in HR or finance, there aren’t any hard and fast rules about how to do your job. You sort of figure things out as you go along, and this is especially true when you’re doing things online. Those algorithms are constantly changing, after all, and you can never tell where the next big trend will be coming from.
However, if the previous paragraph excites you, then you might just be a good fit for one of most rewarding online jobs out there now. We’re talking about the position of digital marketing marketing manager.
But wait, don’t you need a degree for that? Don’t I need to pay for a fancy online course to get certified first? Also, shouldn’t you be a traditional marketing manager first before you can go digital?
Fair point, but as you’ll see, there are other things besides that can help you get your foot in the door.
Digital Marketing Manager: Roles and Responsibilities
What’s the first thing that comes to mind when you see the words “marketing manager?” You’re probably thinking of TV commercials, billboard displays, and print ads, right?
Well, I’ve got news for you. A digital marketing manager will almost certainly never have to bother with those. While traditional and digital managers might have the same goal (i.e., to improve brand recognition and trust and to eventually drive customers to purchase), the tools they use to achieve that are completely different.
Instead of producing content for and coordinating traditional marketing materials, digital marketing managers are in charge of the following tasks:
- Measuring and analyzing site traffic using web analytics tools;
- Creating content for and optimizing social media, email, and other such online marketing campaigns;
- Developing media strategies for positioning a brand, product, or service in front of the target customer;
- Using web analytics to unearth valuable insights about target customers;
- Fine-tuning the tone and diction of the content and responses on the brand’s digital channels.
Skills Required
Unlike traditional marketing jobs that typically require a bachelor’s degree in the subject, the digital counterpart is more forgiving. (Though, don’t get me wrong. A strong marketing background always helps in this field.)
A combination of hard and soft skills would come in handy when exploring this industry. For instance, good leadership skills are critical since digital marketing managers rarely work alone. Also, the ability to communicate should be a given in any online job, but it’s especially critical for digital managers. Effectively communicating your brand’s message in all campaigns and interactions with customers are a non-negotiable here.
So, while a marketing degree isn’t necessary to get your foot in the door, the following certainly are:
- Strong writing skills (i.e., good choice of words, correct spelling and grammar usage, etc.).
- Data analysis skills;
- Proficiency in using web analytics tools;
- At least a basic understanding of SEO (search engine optimization) principles;
- Adaptability to an ever-changing digital landscape;
- The ability to think like your target consumer;
- Willingness to try new things and take calculated risks.
Even if you lack some of the skills above, you don’t really need to sign up for an expensive course. Fortunately, there are plenty of free seminars and material covering several of the aforementioned topics. You can even get certifications for taking some of them, and that will make your application stand out.
And speaking of applications…
How Do You Make Your Resume Stand Out Amidst Other Digital Marketing Manager Candidates?
Let’s say you don’t have any experience. In this case, a functional resume format is your best. It goes like this:
- Contact information. Be sure to put an active email address. If you’re just going to make one, use your name as the username to make it more professional.
- Resume objective. To apply your skills in driving customer traffic and lead generation, etc.
- Skills summary. This is where you should put relevant core competencies such as copywriting, basic SEO, or Google Analytics skills.
- Work Experience. If you haven’t got any relevant ones, you can try to obtain some certifications first and put those here instead. Obviously, you should change the heading to “Certifications.”
- Additional skills. Got mad graphic design skills? Great at editing videos and optimizing them on Youtube? So long as they’re still related to your tasks as a potential digital marketer, feel free to include them.
Think you’ve got what it takes to cut it as a digital marketing manager, but don’t know where to start? Well, Remote Staff is dedicated to matching its subcontractors with good clients that have need of their skills and services. Sign up and complete your profile with us today to start your journey towards a fulfilling career in digital marketing.
