So, you’re interested in becoming a digital marketing strategist? Awesome choice! Digital marketing is a fast-paced, exciting field, and strategists are in high demand. But what exactly does a digital marketing strategist do, and how can you get started on this career path? Let’s break it down together, step by step.
A digital marketing strategist is someone who helps businesses grow online by creating and running campaigns that boost brand awareness, customer engagement, and revenue. Unlike specialists who focus on just one marketing channel, digital marketing strategists have a holistic approach, pulling together SEO, social media, paid ads, email marketing, and content strategy into a unified plan that helps a business reach its goals.
They’re the ones who analyze data from tools like Google Analytics and SEMrush, optimize campaigns based on performance, and adjust strategies to make sure things keep improving. With their skills, businesses can reach their target audience more effectively and make smarter decisions about how to spend their marketing dollars.
What Does a Digital Marketing Strategist Do?
At its core, being a digital marketing strategist is about planning, executing, and optimizing online campaigns to help businesses achieve their goals. So, what does that actually look like on a day-to-day basis? Let’s take a closer look at some of the key responsibilities.
Audience Analysis
First things first, you’ll need to know who you’re talking to. A big part of your job as a strategist is understanding your target audience—what they want, what they need, and where they hang out online. Tools like Google Analytics can help you gather the data you need to pinpoint exactly who your customers are and how to reach them.
Campaign Planning
Once you know your audience, it’s time to get to work designing campaigns that will hit the mark. A good digital marketing strategist knows how to use multiple channels (like SEO, email marketing, social media, and paid ads) and create a strategy that brings everything together. You’ll want to make sure your goals are clear and measurable, which is where SMART goals (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound) come into play.
Data Optimization
After launching a campaign, it doesn’t just run on its own. As a strategist, it’s your job to keep an eye on how things are performing. Are people clicking on your ads? Are they engaging with your content? Based on data like click-through rates and conversion rates, you’ll make tweaks to improve performance and ensure the campaign is achieving the desired outcomes.
Budget Management
Not everything in digital marketing is free (though we wish it was!). A huge part of the role is managing the marketing budget. You’ll need to figure out how to spend money wisely, balancing between paid ads and organic strategies (like SEO) to maximize ROI.
The role of a digital marketing strategist is essential in many industries—from e-commerce to healthcare—and salaries can vary widely. Entry-level positions might start around $55,000 a year, but as you gain more experience and skills, you could easily earn over $100,000 annually.
Step 1: Build Your Educational Foundation
Choosing the Right Degree
To get started in digital marketing, a bachelor’s degree in marketing, communications, or even data analytics is typically preferred. Coursework in areas like consumer psychology, SEO, and statistics will set a solid foundation for your career. But don’t worry—there are alternative paths if a traditional degree isn’t your thing.
Bootcamps: Programs like General Assembly offer short, hands-on training that can teach you practical digital marketing skills in as little as 12 to 16 weeks.
Online Courses: Platforms like Coursera or LinkedIn Learning make it easy to learn at your own pace, and you can often take courses for a fraction of the cost of a degree.
Top Certification Programs to Boost Your Credibility
Getting certified in the field can help you stand out and show that you’re serious about your career. Here are some certifications you should consider:
Google Analytics Certification: This helps you understand how to measure and interpret data to optimize marketing strategies.
Meta Blueprint: This certification focuses on social media advertising and audience targeting on platforms like Facebook and Instagram.
HubSpot Content Marketing: HubSpot’s certification focuses on inbound marketing techniques and strategies for nurturing leads.
Certified Digital Marketing Strategist (CDMS-UK): A great way to boost your credibility and show you’ve mastered the essentials of digital marketing strategy.
Here is the Top Skills for 2025 and a Case Study
Advanced Degrees for Career Growth
If you’re aiming for leadership roles down the road, consider pursuing a Master’s degree in Strategic Marketing or a related field. This can deepen your understanding of global marketing, AI-powered analytics, and high-level campaign management.
Step 2: Gain Hands-On Experience
Internships and Entry-Level Roles
No one expects you to be an expert right away—everyone has to start somewhere. The best way to learn is by doing. Look for internships or entry-level roles like Marketing Coordinator, SEO Specialist, or Content Strategist. These positions will allow you to get hands-on experience with things like:
Conducting digital marketing audits to identify opportunities and gaps in current strategies.
Assisting with scaling digital marketing efforts through automation tools like Zapier.
You’ll learn the ropes and gain valuable insights that will set you up for bigger roles in the future.
Freelancing and Side Projects
Want to start gaining experience even sooner? Consider freelancing! Platforms like Upwork or Fiverr are perfect for getting your feet wet. Plus, freelancing allows you to build a strong portfolio showcasing your success stories, like helping a client increase their organic traffic by 200% through SEO.
Step 3: Master Tools and Tactics
Essential Tools for 2025
Digital marketing is all about using the right tools to get the job done. Here’s a breakdown of the tools you’ll want to master:
| Category | Tools | Use Case |
|---|---|---|
| SEO | SEMrush, Ahrefs | Keyword tracking, backlink analysis |
| Analytics | Google Data Studio, Tableau | Custom dashboards, cohort analysis |
| Automation | HubSpot, Mailchimp | Email sequencing, lead scoring |
| AI Integration | ChatGPT, Jasper | Content ideation, SEO optimization |
Advanced Skills to Develop
As you gain experience, you’ll want to dive deeper into advanced skills like:
CRO (Conversion Rate Optimization): Tools like Hotjar and Optimizely can help you test and refine landing pages to improve user experience and boost conversions.
Programmatic Advertising: Platforms like The Trade Desk allow you to run automated, real-time ads to target the right audience at the right time.
Step 4: Land Your First Strategist Role
Crafting a Standout Resume
When it’s time to apply for jobs, your digital marketing strategist resume needs to shine. Highlight your certifications, key skills, and any quantifiable wins you’ve had. For example, you could say something like:
“Increased email open rates by 35% through targeted campaigns using Klaviyo.”
Make sure your resume includes key terms like “driven digital marketing” so that it passes through ATS filters and gets noticed by employers.
Job Search Strategies
Don’t just rely on job boards—network! Join LinkedIn groups like Digital Marketing Today, attend events like Digital Summit, or get involved in online communities to connect with other professionals in the field. The more people you know, the more opportunities you’ll uncover.
Career Growth and Leadership Pathways
Typical Career Progression
Here’s how your career might evolve as you gain experience:
| Role | Experience | Key Responsibilities |
|---|---|---|
| Junior Strategist | 0–2 years | Campaign support, data reporting |
| Associate Strategist | 2–4 years | Client presentations, cross-team coordination |
| Senior Strategist | 5+ years | Budget oversight, AI strategy implementation |
Moving into Leadership
As you become more experienced, you’ll likely move into leadership roles. Here, you’ll mentor junior strategists, manage larger campaigns, and guide teams in using new tools like Albert.ai for real-time bid adjustments.
Overcoming Common Challenges
Staying Updated
Digital marketing never stands still. Algorithm changes, like Google’s March 2025 Core Update, require you to stay on top of trends and news. Follow blogs like Search Engine Journal and Moz to keep learning and adapting.
Work-Life Balance
Digital marketing can be intense, and burnout is real. But don’t worry! You can fight burnout by practicing time-blocking (designating specific hours for analysis versus creative work) and using tools like Zapier to automate repetitive tasks and free up your time.
Additional Pro Tip: Start Writing and here is Why You Must Start Writing Online
Future-Proof Your Career
Emerging Trends to Watch
AI-Powered Personalization: Tools like Albert.ai are automating the process of adjusting ad bids in real-time, making marketing smarter and more efficient.
Voice Search Optimization: Start optimizing your content for voice assistants like Alexa and Google Home, as voice search continues to grow in popularity.
Privacy-Focused Marketing: With privacy laws tightening, tools like Google’s Privacy Sandbox will help you track data while respecting user privacy.
Value in the End!
Watch Me Build a Marketing Strategy in 20 Minutes For a Completely Random Business
Industry-Specific Strategies
Whether you’re in e-commerce or B2B marketing, you’ll need to adjust your strategies to suit the needs of your industry:
For e-commerce, leverage platforms like TikTok Shop and Instagram Checkout to drive social commerce.
In B2B, LinkedIn Analytics can help you track engagement with whitepapers, webinars, and case studies.
Ready to Get Started?
If you’re excited to launch your career as a digital marketing strategist, start by downloading our resume template and exploring certification options like the Certified Digital Marketing Strategist (CDMS-UK). With the right mix of education, hands-on experience, and ongoing learning, you can thrive in this dynamic and rewarding field. Here is a detailed overview of the key differences between Digital Strategist vs. Marketing Strategist.
John Carter, MBA, is a Certified Google Ads Strategist with over 12 years of experience scaling brands like Nike and Shopify. Connect with him on LinkedIn for weekly strategy tips.
Conclusion
Becoming a successful digital marketing strategist is all about combining education, experience, and the right set of skills. Start with the basics—whether through a degree or certifications—and then dive into hands-on work to build your portfolio. Keep learning, stay on top of industry trends, and use the right tools to craft effective strategies that drive results. The world of digital marketing is constantly evolving, but with the right mindset and dedication, you’ll be ready to thrive in this exciting field.
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