Are you wondering which digital marketing skills a business looks for? Then you've come to the right place. LinkedIn Marketing highlights in a report the extent to which the demand for marketers in digital roles has grown. Their internal data analysis demonstrates that digital marketing and social media jobs are in great demand. Fifty percent of the top ten jobs posted on LinkedIn are in the digital and media environment.
Businesses globally are now very aware of the importance of digital marketing. This is demonstrated by a new virtual program in Executive Education at Harvard Business School called 'Marketing in the Digital Era.' The business world knows more customers are accessible online than ever before. They need employees with digital marketing and technical skills to connect with these customers.
The demand for digital marketer skills is not only highlighted in the jobs posted on LinkedIn. Fifty percent of the top ten LinkedIn Learning courses taken over the last twelve months are in the digital marketing space. WSI's own Client Learning Centre has seen a spike in traffic, with more and more people wanting to get educated on digital marketing. As companies strive to connect with their audience’s needs online, certain skills for a digital marketer have become more valuable than ever.
The Pandemic has Accelerated the Shift Towards Everything Virtual
The value of digital marketing was not fully understood until the COVID-19 pandemic rapidly shifted the world towards everything virtual. Who can forget the explosion of the video-conferencing platform Zoom, which had its user numbers go from 10 million to 300 million in less than a year?
Grandparents started using digital technology to talk to their grandchildren. Kids attended school via Google Classroom or other convenient digital platforms. Employees went online to work from home and communicated with one another via Slack. Consumers who could no longer shop at physical stores turned to ecommerce to purchase what they wanted.
The pandemic forced companies to accelerate the development of their digital platforms and eCommerce marketing because it had to be online if you wanted to do business.
This virtual shift created a new demand for people with digital marketing expertise and an understanding of social media. Savvy individuals used the opportunity to upskill themselves in various aspects of digital marketing, ready to ride the wave of demand.
Since then, digital marketing has seen remarkable growth and innovation. By 2024, businesses have embraced advanced AI-driven tools to personalize user experiences and optimize marketing strategies with precision. Video marketing has become even more integral, with the rise of short-form content and interactive video ads driving higher engagement levels. Social commerce has surged, with platforms like Instagram and TikTok integrating shopping features directly into their interfaces, making it easier for consumers to purchase products seamlessly.
The emphasis on data privacy and security has grown, with stricter regulations prompting companies to prioritize transparent data practices. Moreover, the focus on sustainability and ethical marketing has intensified as brands strive to align with the values of increasingly conscientious consumers.
The pandemic laid the groundwork for this evolution, and individuals who have been upskilled in digital marketing are now leveraging these advancements to seize new opportunities.
Search Manager, Social Media Coordinator, and Media Coordinator
LinkedIn Marketing looked at marketing jobs in the NAMER region, which included Canada, the United States, and Mexico. As defined by year-on-year growth, the fastest-growing occupations are as follows:
- Media Coordinator
- Search Manager
- Social Media Coordinator
These same jobs are also currently in high demand. The LinkedIn Marketing report shows these roles have shown the highest growth in the last six months.
The report also highlights the demand for specific skills that correlate with the highest employment growth in these roles. These skills are highlighted explicitly as looked-for in the previous half-year period. Of the top five skills in demand in the last six months, the three pertinent to the fastest-growing occupations are:
- Social media marketing
- Paid search strategy
- Social media
Digital Marketing Specialist, Digital Account Executive, and Social Media Manager
In a deeper look at the marketing jobs offered in Canada, the United States, and Mexico, the LinkedIn Marketing report highlighted the most in-demand jobs. But this time, it is by volume of job postings instead of year-to-year growth.
By volume, the top three most in-demand jobs are:
- Digital Marketing Specialist
- Digital Account Executive
- Social Media Manager
The LinkedIn Marketing report states that the position of "Digital Marketing Specialist" is very broad, but it highlights a disparity between the job skills of Digital Marketing Specialist applicants and the job skills the market requires from that position.
Relative Supply-to-Demand Index
As mentioned, the report found a difference in the skills demanded by employers and those offered by potential employees. In their relative supply-to-demand index, the top three discrepancies are:
- Digital Marketing
- Advertising
- Social Media
The LinkedIn Marketing team states they reached this conclusion by looking at full-time positions. Supply was the number of members with a specific skill, and demand was measured in the number of hires with that skill from March 2020 to March 2021.
The skills required, but not equally available in the digital marketing jobs environment, are as follows:
- Digital strategy
- Omniture
- Link building
- Search advertising
- Off-page SEO
Omniture SiteCatalyst, now known as Adobe Analytics, focuses on multi-channel analytics. It is part of the Adobe Experience Cloud. Its plug-ins allow marketers to analyze their campaign results on video and mobile apps and regular internet marketing channels.
How Does AI Help With Digital Marketing?
Artificial intelligence analyzes customer data to provide personalized experiences through targeted ads and tailored content. AI-powered chatbots offer 24/7 support, improving customer engagement. Predictive analytics forecast trends and optimize campaigns, while AI tools create and curate relevant content. Additionally, AI optimizes ad targeting, ensuring ads reach the right audience at the right time, maximizing ROI. These capabilities enable marketers to make data-driven decisions and allocate resources more effectively, ultimately improving overall marketing performance.
In-House vs. Agency Resources
When the demand for these digital marketing skills outpaces the knowledge of your in-house team, business owners should also consider bringing in more specialized, external agency resources. The key is defining your company's marketing goals and weighing them against your team's strengths and weaknesses. This is a vital exercise to determine whether your marketing initiatives should stay in-house or require assistance from outside experts.
Our blog post discusses the pros and cons of in-house or agency marketing. If you want to know whether it's better to hire a professional social media firm or employ an in-house social media manager or what factors to consider when comparing in-house against outsourced marketing agencies, this post is for you.
WSI is a digital marketing agency that takes the time to understand your organization and customers. Do you need to grow your online reputation on social media outlets like Instagram or Facebook? Want to know more about LinkedIn marketing or generate more conversions? Contact WSI today. We have the experience and digital marketing skills needed to assist you.
