The 4th Industrial revolution has seen some people losing their jobs as self-service, online, automated systems take over. The more we progress deeper and deeper into the 4th industrial revolution, the more things change.
We can’t run away from the fact that the bulk of the customer nowadays is either online or tech-savvy. This means traditional marketing methods may not work if we really want to reach the masses.
The Time To Learn Digital Marketing is Now.
What Is Digital Marketing?
Digital marketing is marketing products using digital platforms on the internet. This includes the use of mobile phones, displays( apps, websites, social media ) and any other digital medium.
Digital marketing channels are systems based on the internet that can create, accelerate, and transmit product value from producer to the terminal consumer by digital networks.
Tools used In Digital Marketing
When people are marketing their products they use display advertising at most. Display Advertising is the use of the following to create awareness around your brand, to convince potential customers to buy your products:
A banner is an advert that appears on a website. It Can take any of the following formats
- Text – Words only
- Image – static or dynamic/interactive ads that change eg a GIF
- In-stream video – videos ads
- Shopping ads – show the name of the shop, price, and picture of the product.
Digital Posters/Fliers are also used in mass communication and digital advertising. These are those images we get on our social media that are selling a certain product or service.
In order to avail products that can be bought online, one needs a website or an app. To have a website online, one needs to buy web hosting for it. There’s a great comparison of web and app hosting packages on Mangomatter where you can pick a quality Windows hosting service.
Jobs in Digital Marketing In Africa
As I was looking at Digital marketing jobs in Nairobi I discovered some jobs had no applications so far. I was heartbroken. How can a basic job go for a full day without a single application?
I have decided to categorise digital marketing as a critical skill.(In my own capacity). Why because in some countries like Tanzania and Mozambique the market is still new with less than 10 hits on the internet. Nigeria has over 176 hits of Digital Marketing Jobs on the internet. South Africa as of today has over 620 hits Namibia not even a single hit. In Zimbabwe a few hits same a Kenya and a reasonable number from Egypt.
Where some see the glass as half empty, I see as a half-full glass. A whole new budding field that you can get into today and be the industry guru in 5 to 10 years’ time when the wave hits Africa aggressively. Last time we checked Executives are paid heavily.
What Are The Most Popular Fields in Digital Marketing So Far?
According to QuickSprout, these 9 fields will be in high demand soon.
- Search Engine Optimization Specialist
- Pay Per Click Specialist/Executives
- Social Media Expert
- Email Marketing
- Mobile Marketing
- Web Analytics
- Content Marketing
- Marketing Autonomation
- Digital Strategy & Planning
- Advertising support
- E-Commerce
- Export marketing
- Digital Marketing Training
- Brand Management
FAQ In Digital Marketing
1. Where can I get certification on Digital Marketing?
There are many sites like Udemy and Google Skills that will certify you for digital marketing. Part 2 of this article will cover that in great detail.
2. Am I guaranteed a job if I get certified in Digital Marketing
No. But the market is still open.
3. What is the biggest mistake digital markers make?
Lacking consistency. Starting then stopping. When you start digital marketing don’t stop. Online audience like new things every time.
4. Would my business benefit from digital marketing?
Definitely. Though companies in many business categories continue to approach digital marketing with scepticism, avoiding digital marketing denies your business access to the media the majority of consumers turn to first and at all hours of the day.
5. What does a digital marketer do?
Digital marketers consult with brands to develop effective strategies or implement programs to drive sales for businesses.