In the past year, businesses worldwide have turned to Digital as the core method to reach and connect with their customers. This shift has produced a demand for support in all areas of online marketing.
In other words, it’s the perfect time to consider a career in Freelance Digital Marketing.
What is a Freelance Digital Marketer?
As a Digital Marketer, your role is to help businesses promote their products and services online. Your job is to reach out to your client’s target audience, drive them to your client’s online platforms, and convert them as customers.
The world of Digital Marketing is broad and can include Content, Social Media, Email, SEO & so much more! Depending on the area you decide to work in, your role can vary considerably.
What does a Freelance Digital Marketer do?
To give you an idea of what an actual Digital Marketing job looks like, we asked Freelance Digital Marketer Kate from CopyKate, to walk us through some common tasks that find their way onto her to-do list.
I specialise in Content Marketing, so a lot of my day is based on creating written content for my clients. One of the most exciting aspects of my job is that it is so varied. My To-Do list typically includes a selection of the following (and a lot of caffeine, ha!)
- Meetings & calls with existing clients
- Creating & Scheduling Social Media Content
- Designing Digital Marketing Strategies and Content Plans for clients
- Conducting Content Audits on a client’s website, social media, blog & email
- Monitoring website, email & social media analytics
- Hosting Discovery calls for potential clients
- Preparing contracts and proposals for new clients
- Creating blog, website & email content
- Brand Tone of Voice development for clients
- Preparing invoices and managing monthly accounts
- Networking and connecting with fellow small business owners & freelancers
- Preparing monthly marketing reports for clients
- Working on CopyKate’s Marketing: website, social media, blog & email
Is Freelance Digital Marketing right for me?
Pros
- Be your own boss: You canset your own rates, hours & process.
- Flexibility: It’s a remote-friendly job that allows you to work from anywhere.
- Varied Role: Digital Marketers wear a lot of hats and no two days are the same.
- In-Demand: There’s never been a higher demand for online marketing support.
- Modest set-up costs: The rolerequires little tools or materials to get started.
- Rewarding: You get to play a part in the success of other businesses.
Cons
- Continous Upskilling: You need to stay on top of trends and be ready to pivot.
- Unpredictable Income: Your earnings can fluctuate depending on your rate and hours.
- Crowded market: You need to find your USP and market this well to stay competitive.
Freelance Digital Marketer Kate from CopyKate shares her Top 3 Tips:
- Build your Brand & Portfolio: As a Digital Marketer, a CV or snazzy qualification typically isn’t going to be enough to win a client. Results drive marketing, so it’s vital to start building a portfolio from the beginning that can showcase real-life case studies and tangible results. Don’t forget to work on developing your personal brand online. Get your name out there via social media, your website or blog. Start building relationships with potential clients and build up a network of fellow freelancers and small business owners.
- Invest in your Skillset: Digital Marketing is ever-changing. You need to live in a constant “learning mode” to keep up with current trends and platforms. The good news is that there are so many free tools & resources out there that can help you. Hubspot Academy & Google Digital Garage are among my favourite free certifications.
- Choose your Speciality: Digital Marketing is a broad area. Whether it’s Content, Social Media, SEO or perhaps Email, I would recommend narrowing down your expertise to a particular area that highlights your strengths. Once you’ve defined your niche, get specific with your offering. Define the service you are providing from the beginning. Craft a pitch that communicates the value you will provide to your customer. Set your rates and resist the temptation to undersell yourself to beat the competition.
How do I become a Digital Marketer?
One thing is for sure; there is no shortage of Digital Marketing courses. From part-time, full time to online vs offline, you can choose an option that works for you and your lifestyle. We’ve rounded up a few course options to get you started:
Ballsbridge College of Further Education
Marketing Advertising and Management (Level 5) This well-established course is ideally suited to the student who wishes to pursue a career in the marketing or advertising industries. The key modules of Marketing, Advertising and Behavioural Studies, combined with core business and IT skills, prepare the student for immediate entry into the workplace or for progression to further study.
Digital Marketing 12-Week Evening Programme This extensive programme covers all aspects of digital marketing, including best practice across all digital platforms. Modules start with the basics of each platform or discipline. While it is not essential, some prior familiarity with platforms and social media can help participants on this course to build on what they already know.
Higher Diploma in Science in Digital Marketing | Part-Time This is an industry led conversion course for non-marketing graduates who wish to acquire sought after skills that have become paramount for businesses to survive and thrive in a digital landscape.
Digital Marketing Course (QQI Level 5) This newly updated online Digital Marketing course will introduce students to the core competencies required to develop and execute digital marketing strategies and activities. It will provide a detailed understanding of what Digital Marketing is, major trends and important concepts such as Search Engine Optimisation (SEO), Science of Adwords Traffic, types of Online marketing, eMail Marketing, Viral Marketing, Online PR, and Social Networking.
