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4 Steps to Become a Digital Marketer
Getting into digital marketing can feel overwhelming at first—especially if you’re starting from scratch or pivoting careers. As someone who made the transition and built a career while traveling the world, I want to share a condensed, actionable version of what worked for me. These are the four steps I recommend to anyone looking to break into digital marketing today.
Table of Contents
Toggle1. Niche Down
When you’re just starting out, it’s tempting to say “I do everything”—social media, SEO, ads, email, content, and so on. But here’s the truth: if you’re trying to be everything, you’ll come across as someone who’s good at nothing in particular.
Employers and clients are much more likely to take you seriously if you specialize. For example, I focused on SEO even though I wasn’t particularly passionate about it in the beginning. That focus helped me land my first opportunities and build real skill. Once you’re established in one niche, you can expand into other areas of digital marketing.
Jordan Peterson describes this concept as a funnel: constrict your options early on to gain traction, and later you’ll have more freedom to expand.
2. Get Certified
Once you’ve chosen your niche, pursue 3–5 well-recognized certifications in that area. Whether you’re focused on SEO, paid ads, email marketing, or content strategy, a quick Google search (or check my website for recommendations) will help you find the top certifications that employers respect.
But here’s the catch: don’t just study to pass the test. Actually learn the material. Your knowledge will be tested in real-world projects and interviews, and that depth of understanding will set you apart.
Free Certifications
- Hubspot’s SEO Certifications
- Hubspot’s Inbound Certifications
- SEMRush SEO Certifications
- Google Analytics Certifications
- Google Ads Certifications
Paid Certifications
- Facebook Blueprint Certifications – For Facebook Ads & Advertising Strategy
- ConversionXL – For super in-depth consumer psychology, CRO classes, all kinds of cool stuff – I learned as much strategy & principles in these classes as I did in my Masters degree
3. Do Free Work for a Local Business
You need real experience, and one of the best ways to get it is to do free digital marketing work for a small business—ideally one you already have a relationship with. For me, that was a restaurant where I was bartending. For someone else I know, it was her mom’s beauty salon.
Yes, you’ll be working for free at first. I did it for 8 months before landing my first internship, and it made all the difference. It showed future employers that I was serious, willing to commit, and that I had real-world results under my belt.
Once you complete the project, build a case study. Even if your project didn’t result in a huge sales increase, highlight key performance indicators (KPIs) like website traffic, engagement rates, or lead conversions. These micro-conversions matter.
Free Case Study Templates
4. Network (Seriously, Don’t Skip This)
Networking isn’t just for landing your first job—it’s key for long-term growth in the industry. Whether you’re in a major city or a small town, there are both in-person and virtual communities you can join.
If you’re in Denver like me, check out Ad Club Colorado (now Add Now) or search for local meetups focused on search engine marketing, web design, or digital advertising. If you’re elsewhere, look into national organizations like AAF (American Advertising Federation), or try virtual meetups on platforms like Meetup.com or Eventbrite.
The goal is to surround yourself with others in the field, stay inspired, and hear about job opportunities and trends before they hit the job boards.
Groups I’m Part Of For Networking
- Ad Club Next (Colorado Chapter) However there are multiple Ad Clubs all over the US
- Meetup.com In addition to language meetups there are also some great networking opportunities on Meetup
- Nomadlist.com This is a paid service, but pretty killer one more around digital nomads than marketing per se.
- The Digital Nomad Lifestyle FB Group
Final Thoughts
To recap, here are the four steps:
- Niche Down – Pick a focus and stick with it.
- Certify Yourself – Earn 3–5 key certifications in your niche.
- Get Experience – Offer free work to a local business and build a case study.
- Network – Join meetups, organizations, and online groups to build your presence.
These steps won’t guarantee overnight success, but they will help you build a solid foundation and start seeing traction much faster.
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The focus on niching down is something that really stands out—focusing on one area to build deep expertise is key.