Social media platforms went from simple networking sites to advertising mediums for different brands. Ad campaigns through social networks are fundamental in digital marketing. A Statista report shows that social media ad spend will exceed $200 billion in 2024. The figures show the accelerated growth and dependence of the new economies on these systems.
The optimistic projections of this industry also favour job seekers. A Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) study posits a 10 percent growth in the industry by 2030. Job opportunities for advertising and marketing occupations will be huge, with great salaries and benefits. If you like this field, the article will show you how to become a digital marketer and some tips to start your career in social media marketing.
1. Research Employment Opportunities in Your Location
It’s important to analyze different geographical factors before choosing or changing your career. Although the projections of the industry are positive, some cities and states offer better working conditions, salaries, and benefits for their employees.
If you want to have a successful career as a social media marketer, consider companies in commercial areas such as Los Angeles, New York, or Miami. However, if you live outside the US, check companies with remote work opportunities. Earnings in countries differ, which is why you should do your research and find a company that best aligns with your career goals.
2. Start Your Academic Path
Education is an indispensable tool for any industry. In this case, you can consider getting a bachelor’s degree to help you jumpstart your career. However, university tuition can be a big investment for anyone. In this case, you can try alternative educational opportunities to help you.
One famous resource today is digital marketing bootcamps. These schools offer programs on-site or online with much lower upfront costs than traditional education. They’ll teach you everything about digital marketing, from social media management, current trends and strategies, and tech resources. An advantage of bootcamps is that courses take 6 to 12 months to complete.
3. Study the Market
Market changes and trends are volatile. Employers are looking for candidates who are passionate about market analysis and new production methods. To be a strong social media marketer, you should learn about the latest updates, successful marketing strategies, and the tools of Google Ads and Facebook Ads.
Studying the market also means working with data. Social media professionals must combine their talents with data science skills. The use of these techniques provides value to any company. Mastering data science and the tools of social media marketing ensures you a fruitful career in the industry.
4. Get Experience and Create a Portfolio
The best way to advance in the field is through garnering work experience. Try your knack in doing low-cost projects for businesses like making content plans or social media calendars. In this way, you get to build your creative portfolio. List the tools and procedures that you used in each project and describe their results and how they benefitted the business.
5. Try Freelance Work
A successful career in social media marketing requires hard work, proper learning, and extensive experience. Once you’ve built your portfolio, you can go to freelancing platforms and start looking for prospective clients. Sites like Upwork, Workana, and Fiverr have a ton of job openings for social media work. Through consistent high-quality output, you can provide more value through your expertise and can command higher rates.
Conclusion
There’s no standard path to start your career as a social media marketer. However, if you paid attention to the tips above, you’ll get a clear picture of the facts and the competitive nature of the industry. Analyze the market, discover the current tech trends, and get ready for a challenging and satisfying career.
Author Bio
From Zulia, Venezuela, David started working with Career Karma in October 2020. He has a Bachelor’s Degree in Social Communication and Print Journalism from Universidad del Zulia. He works as a journalist at Noticia Al Minuto alongside his content writing duties with Career Karma. He previously worked as a content writer with AKB Fintech. His interests include journalism and marketing.
