10 reasons why you should learn Digital Marketing today

You can listen to the podcast of this same blog post, here

I started my career, working in advertising and my sole focus back then was mainline advertising.

For those of you who aren’t aware of the term, mainline refers to any advertising communication on television, print, radio, outdoor, etc.

Basically, anything that is not digital!

So my exposure to digital marketing was very limited more so because my past experience helped me in getting jobs around the same area.

However, things changed completely when I got hired as a digital marketing intern for my summer internship during my MBA.

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I still remember that day when I received my project details and the first thought that came to my mind was, I don’t even know the D of Digital marketing!

How am I to survive this 2-month stint?

What more? This was a work-from-home internship, so clearly the guidance was also restrictive in nature.

Did I give up or did I take it up as a challenge?

As is evident, I decided to do the latter, and I not only learned digital marketing on my own, I also aced my summer internship to bag a PPI offer!

This last-minute learning worked out well for me, but may not work for you, so clearly there is a need to stay ahead and prepare yourself in advance.

Let’s first start with understanding what exactly is digital marketing?

Digital Marketing is simply an umbrella under which all of your marketing efforts that take the digital route, are considered.

So be it email marketing, social media marketing, websites or any online medium used to communicate your marketing effort will fall under digital marketing.

Now that you know what is Digital Marketing, let’s get to the point!

Here are my top 10 reasons why you should learn digital marketing

1. It’s the need of the hour

In the post-covid-19 world, if you aren’t in the digital zone/space, you are clearly missing out on a lot of things.

Marketing has changed completely in the post covid era and the need for being available, exactly where your consumers are more essential now than ever.

So knowing how digital marketing functions, acts as a pre-requisite now.

MUST-READ: This how marketing will change post-covid-19

2. Companies demand it

If you take the example of LinkedIn as a platform for job search, and I am not referring to the official job postings, but rather people just putting up hiring messages for their companies.

One constant add-on that is clearly visible these days, is that of ‘Digital expertise is a great add-on’.

This line is added for every job that may not even be directly for a digital marketing professional.

So companies are no longer looking to segregate people into mainline and digital, they would rather hire someone who has the expertise of both.

And you clearly don’t wish to be left out in that case.

3. You can start your side business or get into freelancing

Oh, the opportunities to do your own side thing post-learning digital marketing are abundant!

The Marketing Empress for me is something similar too.

There are various ways in which you can take freelancing digital or social media marketing gigs that pay you quite well.

In fact, I have always believed that you shouldn’t have a single source of income, and this is really good money if you opt for freelancing projects.

4. You can demand a better pay

Clearly, your digital expertise will make you eligible for the raise in your next appraisal cycle.

Because it’s a clear indication that not only are you aware of more things, you are more aware of relevant things.

And the best part is you may not directly be related to the digital field at your workplace, but whenever you can flaunt your expertise, it’s bound to be an add-on.

5. You have multiple sources to learn from

There are multiple sources for you to learn digital marketing from, be it books, online courses, or classroom lectures.

There are a lot of colleges also offering full-time courses specializing in digital marketing because clearly, that’s the future!

So if your excuse so far has been, ‘I don’t know where to start from’ then think again!

In fact, we have something coming up for you soon on The Marketing Empress as well, so stay tuned!

MUST-READ: 10 things every marketing student must do to stand out

6. It’s a constantly evolving field

Now, this may be true in the case of marketing in general, but more so in the case of digital marketing.

This is because, especially in India, even consumers are slowly adapting to everything digital.

So as marketers there’s lots to still figure around how consumers behave in a digital setting.

And that makes it more interesting because it then becomes a process to constantly keep yourself updated with stuff!

7. Move from print to digital is soon approaching

I honestly never thought this would happen soon, but I feel Covid-19 has accelerated the move.

In fact, think about it, after covid-19 majority don’t wish to switch back to reading a newspaper physically.

So the move from print advertising to digital advertising is soon approaching and we must be prepared for tomorrow!

8. Gives you an edge over your peers

If you are reading this article right now and getting inspired, trust me you are already better than most others.

Why wait for an opportunity when you can create one?

It’s a tough world out there, and competition in India is tremendous.

Your digital expertise will directly make you 10 times better than your peers.

9. Growth opportunities as a teacher

Now, this may not work well for some, because teaching requires a lot more than just knowledge in a specific area.

But if you have the confidence, it’s a great thing to give back your learnings to someone who requires it.

Since the demand for digital marketing is growing, clearly the need to learn and teach is going up as well.

Why not jump in and make a difference in someone else’s life?

10. Because if you don’t, someone else will

This should ideally be your life mantra, it's mine too!

You may not be the only one to read this blogpost, and of course I am hoping that there are many people out there, reading this!

But what matters is what you take out of this post, some would just read it for information, while others may get inspired and act on it!

Ensure you fall into the latter category!

Conclusion:

I hope this blog post has helped you in understanding the need to learn and implement digital marketing techniques.

If this has inspired you, make sure you share the same with your friends!