How To Become a Digital Marketing Strategist in 4 Steps

Updated September 30, 2022

Many companies rely on digital marketing to engage with customer segments, promote products and services and generate sales. Digital marketing strategy is essential to developing and monitoring successful campaigns and building brand awareness. If you're interested in a career that combines data analytics, customer engagement and communication management, consider becoming a digital marketing professional.

In this article, we explore how to become a digital marketing strategist, with additional insight into what they do, how much they make and what other positions you can advance to in this career field.

What is a digital marketing strategist?

A digital marketing strategist is a specialist who advises their company on planning and initiating marketing campaigns. Strategists typically use creative and technical approaches to improve campaign effectiveness and increase brand awareness for the businesses with which they work. Many strategists focus on trending strategies, popular mass communication methods and digital insights to help their companies meet goals and attract larger customer audiences. Many digital strategists are also data experts and use information from business and marketing analytics to identify improvements and optimize the performance of future campaigns.

What do digital marketing strategists do?

A digital marketing strategist essentially oversees the planning and design of marketing campaigns, but their specific responsibilities can depend on the size and type of their organization. In a large business, for instance, strategists may manage entire marketing processes that rely on data analytics, customer relationships and sales integrations. In other organizations, a strategist may direct only the budgeting and performance monitoring aspects of campaign execution. In most sectors, though, marketing strategists often share several key responsibilities:

Evaluating and testing suitable digital marketing strategies, including social media, pay-per-click, SEO and email tools
Monitoring marketing analytics and creating segments for distributing digital media
Performing competitive market analysis and applying strategies to improve campaign success
Finding opportunities to improve marketing strategies and approaches with digital technology
Using search engine optimization (SEO) best practices to improve digital marketing strategies
Developing strategies for website content that drive organic traffic from popular search engines
Managing inbound and outbound digital marketing networks and tools
Building and maintaining brand awareness through digital platforms and by engaging customer segments

How to become a digital marketing strategist

Use the following steps as a guide for entering a career in digital marketing strategy:

1. Complete a bachelor's degree

Many digital marketing strategists complete their undergraduate degrees in marketing, communications, public relations or even journalism to develop the background necessary for the role. A bachelor's degree in business analytics, business management or another related field can also support a career in digital marketing. When choosing your educational path, be sure to look for coursework that helps you develop skills and knowledge in global marketing, marketing ethics, advertising, analytics and strategic planning.

2. Gain professional experience

Building your experience in a practical setting is highly advantageous for developing specialized skills and advancing in your field. For instance, completing a marketing internship during your education can help you apply the concepts you learn in the classroom. Entry-level specialist roles can also be beneficial for developing valuable skills for your career.

3. Earn a professional certification

Many certifications are available in a range of specialties for digital marketing professionals. For instance, strategists who work with SEO practices can benefit from earning certifications in specific areas of SEO fundamentals and strategy. Certification in analytics or advertising are also options you can pursue to advance in your career.

4. Pursue a graduate degree

While it's not a requirement to enter a career in digital marketing strategy, a master's degree can help you increase your earning potential along with your career prospects. Fields like marketing, advertising, mass communications, business and public relations are all potential areas of focus for your graduate degree. For instance, a master's degree in marketing analytics can support career advancement in strategy development and campaign management.

Related: A Guide to Marketing Degrees

Average salary for digital marketing strategists

The national average salary for digital marketing strategists is $65,394 per year. This average can vary, though, depending on several factors. For instance, your specific qualifications and experience level in the field are often important indicators of earning potential. Your location and place of employment can also affect how much you earn in the role, as the demand for specialized skills may be higher in certain areas and job sectors than in others. For the most up-to-date salary information from Indeed, click on the link provided.

Career outlook for digital marketing strategists

According to the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the occupational outlook for professionals in advertising, promotions and marketing management can expect a 10% increase in job availability between 2020 and 2030. The BLS projects a higher increase in occupational availability for market research analysts and marketing specialists, with a 22% increase over the same decade. This outlook provides substantial opportunities in the field, with many career options in advertising and marketing professions as companies continue to rely on these processes for growth and development.

Related roles for digital marketing strategists

Digital strategy encompasses a variety of roles that all contribute to the success and effectiveness of marketing campaigns. Strategists can often find positions within related areas where they can advance their careers. Consider the following roles that relate to digital strategy, so you can find the best career path for you. For the most up-to-date salary information from Indeed, visit indeed.com/salaries.