How to Start a Career in Digital Marketing in India - Is it worth it?
Introduction
In today’s era of digitalisation and Globalization, our lives have changed a lot from past and we can observe a drastic change in brands marketing strategies.
Earlier brands advertise through billboards, newspapers, media, radios and now Digital marketing is on every brand’s list.
Brands connect to their potential customer and widen their audience via online platforms such as Social media apps and websites.
From startups to conglomerates, the digital world has become a battlefield for brands where they fight to capture consumers’ attention.
If you have ever wished to dive into the world of digital marketing, you might have come up with a question – is a career in digital marketing worth it?
In the blog – we will guide you to the realm of digital marketing, Is it worth your career, how much value does it have in the market and in the coming future, and how you can start a career in digital marketing in India?
What is Digital Marketing?
Let us first understand what is digital marketing in very simple words.Digital marketing is using digital tools and platforms like search engines, social media, emails, and websites to promote your product, service, or ideas.
Under the digital marketing umbrella, there come many services such as search engine optimization (SEO), paying for ads that come on top of your screen(PPC), managing and making social media strategies(SMM), and creating unique and valuable content for websites and other platforms.
Is It Worth a Career in Digital Marketing?
Thinking of a world without the internet is next to impossible nowadays. More than 60% of people use smartphones on a daily basis globally.
In India, the Jio wave contributes to increasing screen time over electronic gadgets, especially mobile phones, and the covid-19 period increased the audacity in people to buy online products and digital communication.
These all reasons make us believe that the demand for online shopping and online promotion has increased the demand for digital marketing.
Indian digital marketing industry has a value of Rupees 32,000 crores in 2022 and is estimated to grow at a CAGR of 30.2% to 2028 and reach a value of Rupees 1.6 lakh crore (CAGR or Compound annual growth rate means the average annual growth rate of an amount over a specified period of time longer than one year).
#1. High in demand – The above facts truly assure that Digital marketing is High in demand right now and will be in the coming future also as the demand for it is rising at a CAGR of 30.2% till 2028.
According to a survey on LinkedIn, Digital Marketing is among the top 10 Most demanded skills in 2023.
#2 Competitive salary – Digital marketing is an umbrella term, There are so many different job opportunities as per the niche in which you work, or you can become a full-stack digital marketer. The average salary of a digital marketer in India is estimated at 6 lakhs per annum.
Here is a brief of some popular niches in digital marketing and their salaries as per experience.
The below data is sourced from the Ambition box as of 2023.
a) SEO Specialist
If you are a technical and analytical person, then SEO is your type. An SEO professional main work is to improve website ranking on search engine result pages with the aim of bringing organic traffic to the website.
An SEO Specialist must be an expert in Keyword research, SEO copywriting, and search engine algorithms.
Salary
- Entry-level employee – An average of Rupees 200,000 per annum.
- To a specialist having 3-4 years of experience – An average of Rupees 350,000 per annum.
- To a specialist with more than 4 years of experience – An average of Rupees 500,000 Per annum.
b) Social media management:
A career in digital marketing as a social media manager, if you love using social media, now is your time to make money out of it. A social media manager creates and implements social media strategies for a company or brand.
Similar to how individuals use social media to present the best version of themselves, brands are now engaging specialists to help them stay on top of their social media game.
A Social media manager’s main task is to create unique and valuable content which can hook the target audience. Social media is for both promotion purposes as well as a part of the funnel.
Salary
- Entry-level employee – An average of Rupees 250,000 per annum.
- An employee having 3-4 years of experience – An average of Rupees 4.2 lacs per annum.
- Specialists having 4-8 years of experience – can expect an average of Rupees 11.5 lacs per annum.
c) Content writer
One of the most creative jobs in digital marketing. A content writer has to write blogs, and e-mails, and create social media content, and landing pages for websites.
The main objective of a content writer is to engage the targeted audience with written content. He should have the ability to convert the reader into clients or customers. Moreover, he must be updated with the industry news and trending topics to better engage the audience.
Salary
- Content Writer salary in India with less than 1 year of experience to 7 years ranges from ₹ 1.0 Lakhs to ₹ 6.0 Lakhs
- And an average annual salary of ₹ 3.0 Lakhs based on 20.7k latest salaries.
d) PPC Analyst
Pay-per-click Analyst is one of the emerging digital marketing careers in 2023. This particular job role requires a person who has the right knowledge and ability to obtain a profit that is equal to or greater than the investment. Someone who can fulfill this will get hired by the company.
Companies, after getting organic results, focus on pushing their boundaries and attempting paid advertising. You must have a thorough knowledge of campaign creation and an understanding of the psychology behind every relevant click. This will enable you to establish a career in digital marketing as a PPC Analyst in a top company.
PPC Analyst Salary
- Entry-level employee – An average of 4 lakhs per annum.
- A PPC Analyst with more than 2 years of experience can expect to earn – An average of ₹4-5 Lakhs per year in India.
- But it also depends on the skills you have as an analyst.
e) Web Developer
A web developer is one who creates websites for businesses. It is a highly-demanded skill right now but it also has a competitive market. Web developers should have knowledge of computer software, HTML coding, and graphic design to create a full-fledged responsive website.
Every business in the online realm needs a website and a full-stack developer who is updated with the various coding languages used never gets out of trend.
Web developer’s salary
Web developers who can create as well as maintain attractive and user-friendly websites are certainly in high demand, and those who have the ability to meet these demands can expect a decent salary out of this profession.
- An entry-level digital marketing salary of a Web developer with less than one year of experience is ₹ 280,000 per year in India,
- While those with more than 1-4 years of experience can expect ₹340,000 per year in India.
- Based on Payscale’s research, a mid-career Web Developer earns an average total compensation of ₹590,000 per year.
f) Data Analyst
Data analysts convert raw data into information used by management to make decisions. It collects data from various sources and interprets patterns and trends.
This is the most technical job in digital marketing which tells a company whether they are on the right track or not.
Salary
- An average entry-level digital marketing salary for a Data Analyst is ₹3 lakhs in India,
- However, a data analyst with more than 2-3 years of experience can expect ₹4-5 lakhs per year in India.
g) Digital Marketing Manager
A full-stack digital marketer is a person who handles the brand’s complete digital presence. He leverages every digital platform under digital marketing to promote products and services with the main aim of converting leads.
A manager is responsible for the online presence of a brand as he makes and implements strategies for the brand. A career in digital marketing as a manager will be fruitful only when you must be known all the concepts coming under the digital marketing umbrella and must be updated with the new trends and concepts.
Digital Marketing Manager’s Salary
- The average salary of a Digital Marketing Manager (entry-level) is 3-6 LPA in India.
- Whereas, a Senior Digital marketing manager’s salary ranges between ₹7,09,800- ₹10 lakhs, who has over 5-9 years of experience in India.
From the demand and salaries point of view Starting a career in digital marketing in 2023 or adding it up as a skill to your current job is no doubt a great idea.
Let’s explore some more reasons to support a career in digital marketing.
#3 Learning Never Stops
The digital world is in a constant state of flux, with trends, technologies, and platforms evolving at lightning speed. This perpetual evolution keeps digital marketers on their toes and provides an ongoing learning journey.
Staying updated with the latest tools, algorithms, and best practices is not just a requirement but also a thrilling aspect of the field. Embracing continuous learning ensures you remain at the forefront of innovation.
#4 Measurable impact
One of the flaunting benefits of digital marketing is that you can measure your efforts easily. Unlike traditional marketing, where it is hard to measure the success of a campaign, Digital marketing gives you an accurate measure using data and analytics.
It measures the performance from the insights such as Google tag, click-through rates, conversion rates, social media engagement, etc.
Thus this data-driven approach better explains the results and helps in decision-making with more accuracy.
#5 Flexibility
Digital marketing offers a range of work environments that cater to different lifestyles and preferences. Whether you thrive in an office environment or prefer the freedom of remote work, digital marketing accommodates both.
Freelancing is also a viable option, allowing you to work on multiple projects for different clients. The flexibility to choose your work setting empowers you to find a balance that aligns with your personal and professional aspirations.
Thus a career in digital marketing is a wise choice in today’s data-driven world. Digital marketing roles are in high demand as companies rely on online platforms to promote their business. The ability to analyze metrics and Quantifiable results makes it easy to demonstrate your value and impact in a digital marketing role. With the right skills, you can aim for career growth, as digital marketing evolves quickly requiring constant learning and adaptation. Overall, the tangible returns and thriving industry make digital marketing a fulfilling and stable career path.
Soft Skills Required for Digital Marketing
Communication Skills
– Strong written and verbal communication skills allow digital marketers to clearly convey campaign strategies, ideas, and messaging across multiple online platforms and mediums. – From emails to social posts to website copy, clear communication ensures campaign messaging remains consistent and understandable by target audiences.
– Mastering communication in digital marketing enables effectively collaborating with creative, technical, and analytics teams.
Creativity and Adaptability
– Creativity enables digital marketers to develop novel campaign concepts that grab attention amidst online clutter and noise. Unique and imaginative ideas help content stand out.
– Remaining adaptable and flexible allows digital marketers to quickly adjust campaigns based on real-time data and analytics to improve performance. Adaptability is key with constantly evolving platforms.
– Thinking creatively and changing approaches prevents campaigns from becoming stale or outdated.
Teamwork
– Close collaboration fosters integration between various campaign elements like messaging, visuals, calls-to-action, etc. to create cohesion.
– Understanding target audiences on a deeper level via empathy and personas allows campaigns to speak directly to customer needs and emotions.
– A collaborative, empathetic approach boosts campaign resonance and conversion rates.
Analytics
– Strong analytical skills empower digital marketers to derive data-driven insights from campaign metrics to iterate and optimize for better results.
– Analyzing performance data informs strategic decisions about budgets, platforms, creatives, audiences, and more.
– Mastering analysis and decoding metrics are essential digital marketing puzzle-solving skills.
A blend of Creativity and Analysis
– Digital marketing success requires blending art and science – leveraging both creativity and analytics.
– Creativity taps into emotional appeal and engagement, while analytics provide logic and optimization.
– This blended approach allows a holistic understanding of consumer motivations and actions.
How to Start a Career in Digital Marketing
The path to a digital marketing career is lined with curiosity, creativity, and technical prowess. Begin by immersing yourself in the digital landscape – online courses, industry blogs, and forums can offer a foundational understanding.
Develop expertise in SEO, content creation, and social media dynamics. Practical experience through personal projects or internships solidifies your learning. Certifications from platforms like Google, HubSpot, and LinkedIn Learning lend credibility to your skill set. Specializing in one or two areas, such as social media management, can provide a focused entry point.
As you delve deeper into your journey, consider joining online communities and networking events. Engaging with professionals already entrenched in the digital marketing world can provide invaluable insights and potential collaborations.
Remember, digital marketing is a combination of technical knowledge and a pulse on trends; staying engaged in the community helps you remain at the forefront of industry shifts.
Conclusion
As the sun sets over India’s varied landscapes, the world of digital marketing casts an enchanting glow. Embarking on a digital marketing career unveils an array of possibilities, where creative expression merges with technical skill.
Soft skills bring a human touch to the digital realm, fostering connections that transcend screens. As you set foot on this voyage through India’s digital avenues, remember that digital marketing isn’t just about algorithms and metrics – it’s a voyage where the pixels and code are interwoven with the human stories that shape our world.
In an era where connectivity is paramount, your role as a digital marketer is to bridge gaps, ignite conversations, and resonate with individuals across the virtual spectrum.
The journey isn’t solely about mastering the techniques; it’s about becoming a storyteller who can paint narratives across the digital canvas, crafting stories that are remembered long after the screen fades to black.
