12 Crucial Skills You Need To Succeed As A Digital Marketer

In the modern business world, digital marketing is more critical than ever. No longer are the days when marketing was limited to print ads and television commercials.

With the advent of the internet and social media, businesses now have a whole new set of marketing channels at their disposal.

As a result, internet marketing has become one of the most sought-after skills in today's marketplace - whether you are starting your own business or looking to advance in your current career, mastering digital advertising is essential.

But what exactly does online marketing entail? And what skills do you need to succeed?

In this blog post, we will introduce you to 12 of the skills you need to master digital marketing. From SEO and social media marketing to copywriting and analytics, these skills will help you succeed in today's digital landscape.

1. Search Engine Optimization (SEO)
2. Pay-Per-Click (PPC)
3. Social Media Marketing and Advertising
4. Content Marketing
5. Email Marketing
6. Data Analysis
7. Basic Website Development
8. Basic Graphic Design
9. Conversion Rate Optimization (CRO)
10. Web Analytics
11.  Copywriting
12. Mobile Marketing

The skills of a digital marketer are somewhat comparable to those of a chef- they need to be able to cook a variety of dishes, but they also need to be able to whip up something that tastes delicious when they are in a pinch.

It's not just about pressing the right button and typing something, it's also about thinking critically and creatively when it's time to act.

What is the role of a digital marketer?

A digital marketer is responsible for creating, managing, and executing digital marketing campaigns. They work to promote a company or product online through various digital channels, such as Search Engine Optimization (SEO), Pay-Per-Click (PPC) advertising, social media, and email marketing.

Digital marketers must have a strong understanding of how online users behave, as this helps them to create effective campaigns that reach the right people.

They must also be skilled in using various digital marketing tools and platforms, as well as have a keen eye for detail so that they can spot any errors in their campaigns.

If you're interested in becoming a digital marketer, then you'll need to be prepared to put in the hard work. It's a fast-paced and ever-changing field, so you'll need to be constantly learning and adapting if you want to be successful.

There is no one-size-fits-all answer to this question, as the 12 essential skills for digital marketers will vary depending on the specific industry and company. However, some skills are essential for all digital marketers, regardless of industry or company. These skills include:

1. Search Engine Optimization (SEO)

The ability to optimize website content and campaigns for better visibility on search engine results in pages.

With search engine optimization, you can ensure that your customers find you when they search for something related to your business or industry.

This includes developing strategies to be present on search engines such as Google, Bing, Yahoo, and others. These strategies include but are not limited to, keyword research and strategic link building.

To be proficient at search engine optimization first you have to understand how Google works and what factors affect a website's ranking on the search engine results page.

You also need to know how to research keywords and use them effectively in your content. Additionally, you should be able to track your website's traffic and analyze your results so you can make the necessary changes and improvements.

SEO is a complex and ever-changing field, but if you are willing to invest time and effort, it can be a very effective tool to increase traffic to your website.

2. Pay-Per-Click (PPC)

The ability to create and manage effective Pay-Per-Click campaigns.

Pay-Per-Click (PPC) is a form of online advertising that allows businesses to display ads on search engines and other websites. These ads are then displayed to users who search for relevant terms or visit relevant websites. When a user clicks on one of these ads, the company pays a fee to the search engine or website.

Organic traffic is critical, but it can take a long time to build. PPC, on the other hand, can give you instant traffic and results. But to be successful with PPC, you need to know how to do it right.

Pay Per Click (PPC) knowledge is helpful because it allows you to target your audience and get your message to them. Also, PPC knowledge can help you improve your website's search engine ranking.

While PPC has many different aspects, the most relevant skills you need to master include keyword research, ad copywriting, and conversion tracking. 

3. Social media Marketing and Advertising

Social media marketing is the use of social media platforms to promote and market your business. This can be done in a variety of ways, including creating and sharing content, running ads, and hosting events and giveaways.

With advertising, on the other hand, you pay for space on a platform to promote your business. There are several options for promoting your products, such as LinkedIn Ads, Facebook Ads, and Twitter Ads.

As a digital marketer, you must know about social media marketing and advertising. With over 4.5 billion active social media users worldwide, it is obvious that social media is not going away.

To be successful in digital marketing, you need to be able to connect with your target audience through social media platforms.

Not only do you need to have a presence on social media, but you also have to know how to market and advertise effectively on these platforms. You need to know how to create content that engages your audience and how to target your ads to reach the right people.

If you know about both social media marketing and advertising, you can reach a larger audience and promote your business more effectively.

4. Content Marketing

This is the creation and distribution of valuable, relevant, and consistent content to attract and engage a clearly defined audience - and ultimately trigger profitable customer actions.

It's paramount that when you create content, you do not just create it for content's sake. Instead, you pay attention to what interests and engages your readers so they learn more about your company or product.

You need to be able to write compelling content for all different areas of the web - from blogs and social media posts to landing pages and email campaigns - and adapt it as needed depending on where it's published or viewed. 

Ultimately, the goal of content marketing is to build thought leadership and brand awareness while generating leads and sales. But to be effective at content marketing, you need proficiency in both writing and storytelling. You need to be able to capture your audience's attention and hold it until the end.

It's the strategy behind building relationships with customers and prospects by providing them with information that is valuable to them. 

Content marketing is a fundamental skill for any digital marketer who wants to excel in their field.

5. Email Marketing

The ability to create and send emails that convert subscribers into customers.

Email marketing skills are essential for any digital marketer. Knowing how to create effective email campaigns can help you reach a wide audience and effectively promote your product or service.

Email marketing can be a very effective way to build relationships with customers and prospects, and it can also be used to promote sales. To be successful with email marketing, you need to know how to create compelling content, how to segment your list, and how to track your results.

6. Data Analytics

In today's digital world, data is everything. It drives marketing decisions and allows businesses to track their progress. Therefore, data analytics skills are essential for any marketer working in the digital space.

Data analytics is about understanding and interpreting data to identify trends and patterns. Once you have identified these patterns and trends, you can use them to improve your campaigns.

It's a complex process that requires both technical and analytical skills.

If you want to be a successful digital marketer, you should first brush up on your data analytics skills. With the right skills and knowledge, you'll be able to make better decisions, track your progress, and ultimately drive better results for your business.

7. Basic Website Development

Website development is the process of creating a website.

This can be done either by coding the website from scratch or by using a Content Management System (CMS). A CMS is a software that allows you to create and edit a website without having to code it from scratch. 

To be excellent at online marketing, you need to have a basic knowledge of website development. Understanding how a website is built and how to develop it can help you in many ways as a digital marketer.

First, you will understand how search engine optimization works and how to use it properly on a website. 

Second, you will be able to create effective landing pages. A landing page is a page on a website that is designed to convert. That is, it is designed to get a visitor to take a specific action, such as signing up for a newsletter or filling out a form. 

While you do not need to be a programming expert, knowledge of HyperText Markup Language (HTML) and Cascading Style Sheets (CSS) can be very helpful. 

8. Fundamental Graphic Design

Graphic design is a creative process that involves the use of typography, images, and colors to create visual compositions. As a digital marketer, you will often be asked to design or edit visuals for your campaigns.

Even if you are not the one creating the visuals from scratch, you still need to have a basic understanding of graphic design principles. This will enable you to effectively communicate your ideas to the designer or make small changes yourself. 

Internet marketers use graphic design to create marketing materials such as website banners, social media posts, and email newsletters. Understanding the principles of graphic design can help you create more effective marketing materials that appeal to and convince customers.

Mastering the fundamentals of graphic design will help you stand out as a digital marketer.

9. Conversion Rate Optimization (CRO)

This is about increasing the percentage of visitors to your website who take the desired action.

This can be anything from signing up for a newsletter to making a purchase. A high conversion rate is essential to any successful digital marketing campaign. A marketer can increase their chances of making more sales and achieving their business goals.

There are several techniques to optimize a website for conversion. These include A/B testing, conversion tracking, and developing a strong call to action. If you are knowledgeable in these areas, you can be successful as a digital marketer and move your business forward.

10. Web Analytics

This involves analyzing your website data to better understand your visitors. It includes tracking their behavior, demographics, and where they are coming from.

You can use this information to improve your website and marketing strategies. An effective digital marketer needs competent web analytics skills. This means being able to understand and interpret data to make informed decisions about your marketing campaigns.

Without web analytics skills, it would be difficult to understand how your campaigns are working and make changes to improve your results. You would also miss out on valuable insights about your customers and their online behavior.

11. Copywriting

This is the art of creating captivating and compelling copy for your website. This includes everything from headlines to body copy to calls to action (CTA). A talented copywriter can make a huge difference in the success of your digital marketing campaigns.

A skilled copywriter can create captivating and compelling content that allows a business to reach its target audience and achieve its marketing goals.

Copywriting, however, is more than just writing catchy headlines and phrases. It's also about understanding how to craft an effective message that speaks to the needs of your target audience. It's about understanding how to create content that can be shared and that resonates with your audience.

With the right copywriting skills, you can create content that helps your business achieve its marketing goals.

12. Mobile Marketing

Mobile marketing is the process of promoting and advertising products or services through handheld devices such as phones and tablets.

You can do this through a variety of marketing channels, such as SMS (Short Message Service), MMS (Multimedia Messaging Service), in-game mobile marketing, mobile banner ads, mobile search ads, mobile video ads, and push notifications. 

In the age of smartphones and tablets, more and more people are using their mobile devices to access the internet and consume content. Mobile marketing skills are essential to success as a digital marketer. Therefore, you must know how to reach and engage your target audience on their mobile devices.

Not to mention, you must understand your target audience. This means that you need to understand their needs, wants, and motivations. Only then can you create effective marketing campaigns that resonate with your target audience.

To do this, you need to use your research skills and leverage data to gain insights into your target audience. Once you know them intimately, you can design messages and campaigns that appeal to them and ultimately lead to more sales.

Why are these skills so critical in digital marketing?

Digital marketing skills are relevant for many reasons. First, digital marketing is growing at a rapid pace. It's increasingly imperative that you have the knowledge and skills necessary to ensure your business keeps up with the trends.

Second, your customers expect you to be able to provide them with the services they need online - and if you do not have those skills, they'll move on to someone who does.

Third, many businesses today are struggling financially because they are not taking advantage of cutting-edge technologies like mobile apps and social media. If you are not digitally savvy enough, your business could suffer!

How can you develop these skills?

There's no question that digital marketing is one of the most critical skills you can have in today's business world. Every business, regardless of size, needs to have a strong online presence to be competitive.

And that means having a team of talented digital marketers who know how to develop and execute an effective digital marketing strategy.

But what if you are not a digital marketing expert? How can you develop those skills and become an indispensable part of your company's marketing team?

Here are a few suggestions:

• Read articles and blog posts about digital marketing.

• Take online courses about digital marketing.

• Attend digital marketing conferences and workshops.

• Find a job or internship in digital marketing.

• Follow thought leaders in the field.

• Work with a mentor who is a digital marketing expert.

No matter how you choose to grow your skills, the most important thing is to never stop learning. By constantly learning and developing, you can ensure that you are always at the top of your game.

Final thoughts

These are the 12 most relevant technical skills you need to succeed as a digital marketer. However, it's helpful to know that this list is not exhaustive.

Many other skills not listed here can also be helpful. If you need help with digital marketing, talk to us today. We are the leading digital marketing agency in Nairobi and we can help you achieve your goals.