You have completed your graduation or are about to complete it and wondering “What next?” Maybe you’ve heard about digital marketing and how it’s booming. But where do you even start? What skills do you need? What kind of roles exist? And, of course, how much can you earn?
This guide will answer all your questions. We will tell you what it takes to break into this industry and build a solid career.
Let’s get started!
Table of Contents
- Why Consider a Career in Digital Marketing?
- Essential Skills to Learn in Digital Marketing
- Types of Digital Marketing Roles (And What They Do)
- How to Start A Career in Digital Marketing
- Final Thoughts
- Frequently Asked Questions
Why Consider a Career in Digital Marketing?
First, let’s talk about why digital marketing is worth considering.
- It’s a High-Growth Industry: Every business needs digital marketing today—whether it’s an e-commerce brand, a local café or a multinational company. India’s digital ad spend is expected to grow by 8-10% this year. That means more jobs, better salaries and tons of opportunities for skilled professionals.
- You Don’t Need a Specific Degree, A Certification is Enough : Unlike engineering or medicine, there’s no fixed qualification required. Even if you’ve done BBA, B.Com or any non-marketing degree, you can still start. It’s all about learning the right skills and getting hands-on experience.
- Fast Career Growth: You don’t have to wait for years to get a good salary. Many digital marketers earn ₹6-10 LPA within 3-5 years of experience, while top experts make even more.
- Flexibility & Creativity: If you love coming up with ideas, experimenting with content or analysing trends, digital marketing gives you the perfect mix of data and creativity. Plus, you can work in agencies, big brands or even start freelancing!
Essential Skills to Learn in Digital Marketing
To get hired, you need a strong skill set. Here’s what you should focus on:
1) SEO & Google Ads
Most companies need someone who understands search marketing. Learn how Google ranks websites and how to run search ads.
2) Social Media Marketing & Paid Ads
Understand how Instagram, Facebook and LinkedIn marketing work, including both organic and paid promotions.
3) Content Writing & Copywriting
Even if you’re not a writer, knowing the basics can help you know what works and what not when you’re working on a project in a team.
4) Data Analytics & Performance Tracking
Google Analytics, Meta Ads and tracking ad results will help you make smarter decisions.
5) Marketing Tools (Hands-On Practice)
Start using tools like Google Analytics, Facebook Ads Manager, Semrush and Canva. Companies prefer candidates who already know how to use industry tools.
Types of Digital Marketing Roles (And What They Do)
Not all digital marketing jobs are the same. Here’s a breakdown of key roles so you can see what fits you best.
1) Social Media Manager
- Handles brand presence on Instagram, LinkedIn, Twitter, etc.
- Creates posts, runs ad campaigns and engages with followers.
- Skills Needed: Content creation, paid ads, analytics and trend-spotting.
2) SEO (Search Engine Optimisation) Specialist
- Optimises websites to rank higher on Google.
- Works on keywords, backlinks and website improvements.
- Skills Needed: Keyword research, technical SEO, Google Analytics.
3) Content Writer & Strategist
- Writes blogs, website copy, social media posts and ad copies.
- Works closely with SEO and social media teams.
- Skills Needed: Writing, storytelling, SEO and research.
4) Media Buyer (Paid Ads Expert)
- Runs paid ad campaigns on Google, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, etc.
- Focuses on getting the best ROI (return on investment).
- Skills Needed: Google Ads, Meta Ads, data analysis.
5) Performance Marketing Specialist
- Similar to a media buyer but focuses more on results and conversions.
- Works with data, analytics and campaign optimisation.
- Skills Needed: Google Ads, conversion tracking, funnel optimisation.
These are just a few key roles, but digital marketing has many other options like Email Marketing, Influencer Marketing and Analytics!
How to Start A Career in Digital Marketing
The best part about starting a career in Digital marketing is that you don’t necessarily need a degree. If you can develop the right skills by doing an online course —- that’s pretty much enough to get started in this field.
Here’s a detailed guide for you to start a career in digital marketing.
Take Online Courses
The best way to begin is by learning the basics from reliable sources. Digital marketing is a vast field, covering areas like SEO, social media marketing, Google Ads, content marketing and analytics. Free online courses are a great way to get familiar with the industry without spending money.
But if you want to really learn something from a course, please opt for paid courses that are structured and go into depth. You can join an online digital marketing course on Oops Study. It will help you gain knowledge about SEO, paid ads and content marketing with practical, real-world examples. This particular course is great for building job-ready skills while staying up to date with industry trends. Plus you can get guidance from experienced mentors who have already taught so many students about Digital marketing.
Practice What You Learnt By Working on a Dummy Project
Once you complete a course, you will probably have an idea about which role you want to pursue within digital marketing. When you are clear, pick a brand you like and think of the strategies you can implement and how to implement them. For example – If you’re thinking about becoming an SEO specialist – do keyword research for your favourite brand and come up with blog topics with a specific goal in mind. Similarly, if you decide to be a social media manager, think about 5-6 post ideas that you can post for that particular brand to drive the most engagement. You can later mention this as well in your portfolio.
Follow Industry Trends
Digital marketing is constantly evolving, with new trends, platforms and algorithms emerging all the time. If you don’t keep up, you’ll quickly fall behind. That’s why self-learning is as important as formal education.
A great way to stay updated is by following marketing pages like Mad Over Marketing and Marketing Mind on Instagram. They break down the latest campaigns, giving you real-world insights into what’s working in the industry.
Another habit that will make you a better marketer is studying case studies. When a campaign goes viral or a brand nails its digital marketing, ask yourself—what made it successful? Why did people engage with it? Analysing these examples will train you to think strategically, which is a skill that sets top marketers apart from average ones.
Apply for Internships
Once you have some basic knowledge and hands-on experience, it’s time to get real-world exposure. Internships are the best way to transition from learning to working in a professional environment. Even if you start with an unpaid internship, the experience and connections you gain will be invaluable.
Start by looking for opportunities on LinkedIn, Internshala and Naukri.com. Focus on companies that align with your interests—if you love fashion, apply to e-commerce brands; if you enjoy storytelling, go for content marketing agencies. When applying, make sure your resume highlights your online courses, personal projects and any small campaigns you’ve worked on. Even if you don’t have prior job experience, showing initiative and self-learning will impress recruiters.
Once you land an internship, make the most of it. Ask questions, volunteer for projects and learn from seniors. The more effort you put in, the better your chances of getting hired full-time or using the experience to secure your next job.
Build a Portfolio & Resume
In the digital marketing field, showing your work is more important than just listing qualifications. That’s where a portfolio comes in. A strong portfolio will set you apart from other candidates, especially if you don’t have formal job experience yet.
Your portfolio should include:
- Screenshots of your Instagram page growth, ad campaigns or blog traffic.
- Case studies explaining what strategies you used and the results you achieved.
- Sample social media posts, ad creatives or content pieces you’ve created.
If you’re applying for an SEO job, highlight the SEO rankings of your projects in your resume and show those blogs in your portfolio. If you want to work in performance marketing, showcase screenshots of ad performance metrics. The idea is to prove that you don’t just know the theory—you can apply it effectively. If you want to learn more about creating a resume, read this blog.
Having a well-crafted portfolio along with a resume that highlights your skills, internships and personal projects will dramatically increase your chances of landing a job.
Final Thoughts
If you enjoy creativity, experimenting with ideas and working with data, digital marketing is one of the best careers to choose today. The field is constantly evolving and challenges you every day. If you love this kind of thrill — you should go for it. Pursue a digital marketing course from Oops Study and get ready to start your career in digital marketing.
Frequently Asked Questions
1) How do I start my digital marketing career?
Start with an online course like Oops Study to learn SEO, paid ads and content marketing. Work on a dummy project to apply your skills, then apply for internships on LinkedIn and Internshala. Build a portfolio showcasing your work, keep learning and stay updated with industry trends to land your first job.
2) How do I start digital marketing for beginners?
Pursue an online digital marketing course from Oops Study to know the basics of the field. Then find an internship at a company that best aligns with your goals and there you go.
3) Can I start digital marketing with no experience?
Yes! You don’t need prior experience—just learn, practice and showcase your work. It’s best to pursue an online digital marketing course to develop the skills and build your portfolio.
4) How much does a digital marketer make on average?
The average salary of a digital marketer ranges from ₹20,000 – ₹80,000 per month depending upon skills, experience and qualifications.
5) Can I pursue a career in digital marketing without a relevant degree?
Yes, because you don’t need a degree to learn digital marketing. There are many certification courses available online that can teach you digital marketing and get you started.
