How to become a Digital Marketing Manager – Forbes Advisor

Digital marketing management is a contemporary career choice for innovative thinkers who want to work at the cutting edge of their field.

With the decline of print advertising, digital marketing channels have emerged as crucial ways to engage and retain customers. Digital marketing specialists help companies use these powerful channels effectively.

Our guide offers an in-depth look at the digital marketing manager career. Learn more about what these managers do, discover career opportunities in this field, and explore the steps to that career.

What is a Digital Marketing Manager?

role and responsibilities

Digital marketing managers oversee their employers’ or clients’ marketing strategies across electronic media, including channels such as email, social media, blogs, websites, and SMS.

These professionals use creativity, data analysis, and leadership skills to promote products and services, focus on customer needs and industry trends, increase brand awareness, and help businesses grow.

Digital marketing managers often lead teams of professionals who specialize in areas like search engine optimization (SEO). search engine marketing (SEM), content creation, email marketing, Pay Per Click Advertising (PPC) and influencer marketing.

working environment

Some digital marketing managers work for individual companies, gaining in-depth knowledge of customer needs in specific industries. Others work for marketing and advertising agencies with multiple clients in different industries. Big marketing firms like Accenture and Deloitte Digital are hiring digital marketing managers, as are digital marketing pioneers like Razorfish.

marketing careers offer extensive remote working opportunities. Almost half of it CMO Survey 2022 Respondents reported that their teams worked exclusively from home. Remote work means many digital marketers can take jobs anywhere without having to relocate.

How to become a Digital Marketing Manager

Consider taking courses or a degree in digital marketing

If you are planning a career in digital marketing, study the field first to build your skills and knowledge. How you want to learn depends on your background and personal strengths.

For example, a recent high school graduate might choose a traditional model Bachelors in Marketingwhile a career changer with a degree in another field might prefer to supplement their existing bachelor’s degree with a digital marketing boot camp.

Many employers prefer candidates with a bachelor’s degree or higher—often in marketing or business. Marketing and business administration courses often offer specializations in the field of digital marketing. However, digital marketing specialists can come from many different educational backgrounds.

If you lack a relevant degree, you can still learn job-relevant skills through boot camps, certificate programs, and low-cost or low-cost courses free online courses. You can also track one Online Degree in Digital Marketing when you need more flexibility in planning.

Check out certifications

Certifications are often confused with certificates. Both qualifications can help you advance your career, but academic institutions issue certificates, while industry leaders such as corporations and professional organizations issue certifications. Certification requirements may include coursework, exams, prior degrees, and work experience.

Earning a certification can help you showcase the skills and knowledge employers are looking for. Digital marketing certifications often focus on key industry software, tools, and practices like SEO and PPC marketing. Popular digital marketing certification providers include the American Marketing Association, HubSpot, Google, and Meta.

Develop a digital marketing portfolio

A strong portfolio can help you stand out from candidates from similar backgrounds. Think of your portfolio as an opportunity to market to one of your most important customers – yourself.

A digital marketing portfolio typically includes several components:

• An “About” section that reflects your personality and describes your experience and qualifications
• Samples of work highlighting your favorite campaigns and showing your strengths
• Contact information, including your email address, phone number and relevant social media accounts
• your CV

Some professionals may also add blogs, customer testimonials, and a list of their plans and services.

Build your network

Networking is one of the most effective job hunting methods. A LinkedIn survey 2017 showed that 70% of new hires found their job through networking. If you’re a student, your class cohort might be one of your first places establish network connectionstogether with your professors and internships.

As you get closer to your goals, connect with potential leads and mentors by attending marketing-focused events and conferences. Plus, follow industry leaders, companies, and professionals you admire on social media. Maintain your network, even if you are not currently looking for a job.

Salary and job prospects for digital marketing managers

Digital Marketing Managers are part of a rapidly growing, forward-thinking field. According to market research company Global Industry Analysts, Inc.The value of the digital advertising and marketing industry was US$357.3 billion in 2020, with a projected growth of US$946.9 billion by 2027.

The COVID-19 pandemic has accelerated the marketing industry’s shift to digital channels and increased overall marketing budgets, so now is a good time to start thinking about becoming a digital marketer.

The US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reports an average salary of $140,040 for marketing managers in 2022. The BLS also forecasts 10% job growth (twice the national average) for these professionals from 2021 to 2031.

Tariff data from May 2023 shows an average annual salary of about $71,500 for people with the job title Digital Marketing Manager. However, as marketers gain experience and advance in their careers, their job titles may change as their earning power increases. A head of digital marketing earns approx $108,600 per yearwhile marketing vice presidents are average nearly $152,000.

Frequently asked questions (FAQs) about the career as a digital marketing manager