If you’re thinking about breaking into digital marketing, you’re not alone. Digital marketing isn’t just trending, it’s booming. LinkedIn’s report recently ranked digital marketing specialist among the top 10 most in-demand roles worldwide, with over 860,000 job openings in 2023 alone. As businesses move more of their efforts online, the need for people who can bring in clicks, leads, and sales is only growing.
The best part? You don’t need a degree in marketing or a stacked resume to begin. With the right skills, tools, and a clear plan, you can become a digital marketing specialist from scratch and build a real career doing work that matters.
But how do you go from zero to hireable? This guide walks you through it step by step.
Before we get into the “how,” let’s clear up exactly what a digital marketing specialist does.
Inside the Digital Marketing Specialist Role
A digital marketing specialist is someone who manages and executes marketing campaigns online. That could mean running Google Ads, writing SEO blog posts, planning a social media strategy, launching email newsletters, or all of the above.
They work with teams or clients to promote brands and products using digital platforms. The goal is usually to bring in leads, drive traffic, and boost sales. So if you’ve ever clicked on an ad, opened a marketing email, or landed on a website through a search result, chances are a digital marketing specialist had something to do with it.
If you’re wondering, what does a digital marketing specialist do, here’s a snapshot of the day-to-day:
- Plan and launch paid ads (Google, Facebook, etc.)
- Write or coordinate content for blogs and social media
- Optimize web pages for SEO
- Create email marketing sequences
- Track results and user behavior with tools like Google Analytics
- Tweak campaigns based on what the data says
The digital marketing specialist job description will vary depending on the company, but the core idea stays the same: create smart, data-backed strategies that help businesses grow online.
Some people also refer to this role as an internet marketing specialist. It’s pretty much the same job. “Digital” just sounds a little more modern and usually covers a wider range of platforms.
How To Become a Digital Marketing Secialist
Now let’s talk about how you can become one, even if you’re starting from zero.
Step 1: Learn the Basics of Digital Marketing
Start with the fundamentals. Get familiar with key areas like:
- SEO (Search Engine Optimization)
- PPC (Pay-per-click advertising)
- Content marketing
- Email marketing
- Social media marketing
- Analytics and data interpretation
You don’t need to master everything overnight, but you should know what each channel is, why it matters, and how they all work together.
Plenty of free resources are available to get you started, Google’s Digital Garage, HubSpot Academy, and Meta Blueprint are solid choices.
Step 2: Choose a Niche (or At Least a Focus)
The digital space is wide. Rather than tackling everything at once, start by focusing on one or two key areas. You might lean toward SEO if you enjoy research and writing. If you’re into numbers, PPC or analytics might be a better fit.
Here are a few directions you could take:
- SEO specialist
- Google Ads strategist
- Email marketing coordinator
- Social media manager
- Content strategist
Over time, you’ll likely expand your skills. But starting with a focus helps you stand out when you’re new.
Step 3: Take Online Courses and Get Certified
You don’t need a degree, but certifications can set you apart. They show real, practical skills, and many won’t cost you much, if anything.
Here are a few worth grabbing:
- Google Ads Certification
- Google Analytics Certification
- HubSpot Inbound Marketing
- Meta Blueprint (Facebook/Instagram Ads)
- Semrush SEO Toolkit
These look great on a resume, and more importantly, they teach you how to actually do the work.
Step 4: Start a Side Project (Yes, Really)
The best way to learn digital marketing is by getting hands-on. Create something of your own, start a blog or build an Instagram page around something you enjoy.
Pick something simple and treat it like a real campaign:
- Do some keyword research
- Create content
- Track results using Google Analytics
- Try a few ad tests with a small budget
This gives you experience and a project to show off when applying for jobs.
Step 5: Learn the Tools of the Trade
A digital marketing specialist is only as good as their toolkit. Get comfortable using industry-standard platforms, including:
- Google Analytics and Google Ads
- Meta Business Suite
- SEMrush or Ahrefs (for SEO)
- Mailchimp or ConvertKit (for email)
- Canva or Adobe Express (for graphics)
- Hootsuite or Buffer (for scheduling content)
You don’t need to master every tool right away, but you should be able to navigate the basics of the big ones.
Step 6: Build a Personal Brand
Your online presence matters. Treat yourself like a client and build your own brand.
- Build a LinkedIn profile that showcases your skills, certifications, and any real work you’ve done
- Start sharing insights, tools, or campaigns you’ve worked on
- Write short posts about what you’re learning
Even if you’re new, showing that you’re active in the space makes a big difference. Hiring managers want to see proof that you’re paying attention and learning constantly.
Step 7: Apply for Entry-Level Roles or Internships
After learning the basics and trying a few small projects, start applying for roles. You don’t need to feel completely ready to take the next step.
Search for job titles like:
- Junior digital marketing specialist
- Marketing assistant
- Social media coordinator
- Content marketing intern
- Paid ads assistant
These roles will give you real experience and help you understand how digital marketing works in a business setting. Bonus: even short-term internships can often lead to full-time roles.
Step 8: Offer Freelance Services
Can’t land a job yet? Offer freelance help.
Small businesses, nonprofits, or even local artists are often happy to get help with:
- Setting up social media pages
- Writing blog content
- Running basic ad campaigns
- Creating email newsletters
You don’t need to charge a lot at first. The point is to build experience, get results, and start building a small portfolio. Each project becomes a stepping stone.
Step 9: Track Your Results (And Learn From Them)
Every digital campaign leaves a trail of data. As a future digital marketing specialist, knowing how to read that data is a key skill.
Pay attention to:
- Traffic (where it’s coming from, what pages it lands on)
- Click-through rate (how often people engage)
- Conversion rate (how many turn into leads or buyers)
- Bounce rate (who’s leaving too fast)
You don’t need to be a full-on analyst, but you should be able to tell what’s working and adjust based on that.
Step 10: Keep Learning and Leveling Up
The digital world never sits still. Algorithms change, platforms shift, and new tools pop up all the time.
Keep learning through:
- Newsletters like Marketing Brew or Neil Patel
- Podcasts like Marketing School or Online Marketing Made Easy
- YouTube tutorials and live webinars
- LinkedIn posts from marketing professionals
The more current your skills, the more valuable you are, whether you go full-time, freelance, or even start your own agency.
Make Your Move Into Digital Marketing
Becoming a digital marketing specialist takes time, and it won’t happen overnight. But you don’t need to wait for a degree, a fancy title, or years of experience either. You just need curiosity, some hustle, and a plan.
Start with the basics. Pick a niche. Get certified. Launch something, even small. Show your work. Learn from the numbers. Keep showing up.
The industry is wide open to anyone willing to put in the work, and you can start today.