As the digital marketing landscape continues to shift and evolve, we understand how easy it is to feel overwhelmed. With that in mind, it’s always a good idea to brush up on some basic digital marketing skills that will help you succeed in any future marketing endeavors. If you’re new to digital marketing, or need a quick refresher course, here are 5 fundamental skills everyone should know (read to the end for a bonus!):
Social media
Did you know that more than half a billion new users joined social media platforms in the last year? This takes the global total to 4.33 billion, as of April 2021. All that to say, social media is an impactful part of digital marketing. It’s important for digital marketers to know the basic ins and outs of social media; how to use each unique platform, what the optimal posting times are, engagement, etc. If you find yourself struggling or are unfamiliar with where to begin with social media, here are four questions to ask yourself before starting:
Graphic design
When it comes to elaborate graphic design, sometimes it’s best to leave it to the professionals. However, when you find yourself in a pinch, creating simple and intriguing graphics is an essential skill to master. Take a look at some of our favorite tools for creating social graphics or our top websites for free stock photography and videos. The design world is your oyster!
Email marketing
According to a 2020 study, there was a total of 3.9 billion global email users in 2019, with the number predicted to increase to 4.3 billion by 2023. With these numbers in mind, there’s a good chance that a majority of your customers are using email to communicate. Therefore, you should familiarize yourself with how to send campaigns, newsletters, and other general announcements via email.
SEO
SEO, or search engine optimization, is a huge part of any marketing strategy, and should be a no-brainer for well-seasoned digital marketers. Knowing how to drive traffic to your website is essential. Check out the Digital Marketing Institute’s in-depth look into the importance of SEO for digital marketing and how you can incorporate it into your strategy.
Data analysis
Another important behind-the-scenes aspect of digital marketing is the ability to analyze metrics to see what performs well and what can be tweaked to improve your future results. Although this can be tedious at times, knowing how to properly analyze data can make or break your digital marketing strategy. Tools like Google Analytics, Sprout Social, and Hootsuite are incredibly helpful for any digital marketer to know. That said, Sprout Social gives a breakdown of which metrics you should be paying attention to and how to properly track them.
Bonus Skills
Trendspotting
“Trendspotting represents the process of predicting trends before they enter the mainstream, while also analyzing whether or not that trend is relevant to your business,” according to our friends at Sprout Social. While creating your digital marketing strategy, it’s a good idea to keep an eye out for emerging trends that could place you apart from the competition.
Copywriting
While there are many multi-dimensional aspects of being a skillful digital marketer, it’s no secret that copywriting is the backbone to a successful marketing strategy. Through sharp and powerful copy, you can deliver valuable and entertaining messages to your audience that will nurture a profitable relationship. Need to brush up on your writing skills? Check out Marketing MO’s tips for improving your copywriting!
Networking
Though a broad topic, networking for digital marketers can consist of fostering a close relationship with partners where cross-promotion can benefit both your social media platforms to grow your audience. This can look like tagging each other’s accounts, promoting recent news announcements, and collaborating on events. Curious about how digital marketing and networking go hand in hand? Take a look at the Whin’s breakdown about how one cannot be without the other.
These skills, while simple, are essential for any digital marketer to have under their belt and can certainly contribute to a successful strategy. We’d love to hear from you – let us know which skills you found the most helpful!
