Why No One Dreams of Being a Digital Marketer

Let's be honest, we didn't major in Facebook Ads

The Allure of Traditional Careers

When children are asked what they want to be when they grow up, common responses include doctor, astronaut, firefighter, or even superhero.

These roles captivate young imaginations with their sense of adventure, heroism, and clear societal impact.

Digital marketing, with its spreadsheets, analytics, and SEO strategies, rarely features in these childhood dreams- and there are a lot of reasons for this.

I've spent years writing my own brand story on how I ended up in digital and it's true.

However, I often tell the story with a smile as if getting into digital has always given me fulfillment, when in actually it's quite the opposite sometimes.

I didn't dream about this as a kid and when starting my first ad agency it wasn't as inspiring as anything I had watched on TV either.

And yet, here we are- why?

Because it's new.

I've always enjoyed this topic because as much as everyone says they're an expert, the reality is that they didn't go to Facebook Ad School and if they did it was probably a downloadable course.

So, since no one dreamt of this, how did we get here?

The Invisible Nature of Digital Marketing

First, it's important to define digital marketing and why no one dreams about it.

Like marketing, digital is a behind-the-scenes role.

Unlike doctors or actors, digital marketers don't have a visible presence or glamorous public persona.

In my 20 years I've been the head copywriter for African-American Hair Care Brands, Leading Women's Diet Brands, and just about any other brand you could think of.

However, while I've touched in some way hundreds of millions of people, none of them have ever seen or heard of me personally.

A marketers work, while crucial, often goes unnoticed by the general public. People may see the results of their efforts—engaging ads, compelling social media campaigns—but not the meticulous planning and execution behind them.

Therefor, if you're trying to plan your career in your youth, you don't often think of a digital marketer because in the first sense, you have no common perception of what that looks like.

Misconceptions About Digital Marketing

There's a common misconception that digital marketing is just about posting on social media or writing blog posts.

In reality, it requires a deep understanding of consumer behavior, data analysis, creativity, and strategic thinking.

This disconnect between perception and reality can deter people from seeing digital marketing as a desirable career path.

If you think of what digital marketing encompasses - there are dozens of verticals that generate billions of dollars a year, it's actually a very lucrative career path if done right.

Well, yeah - we call that advertising, but that's another can of worms we'll get into on another post.

But even today, it's still not clear. For example, this last summer I went from working in programmatic advertising to leading an entire digital agency as their new Vice President.

This digital agency serves some of the most popular brands in the world and yet when I asked my team if anyone had written a blog before, no one in their life had ever written a blog post or even knew how to start.

Or take myself for example, I had started two agencies before working in marketing research at Nielsen. When I did start working at Nielsen an entire new world of marketing measurement, analysis, and strategic planning was introduced to me now one had told me about before.

Regardless of how much an expert I thought I was, I didn't know some of these things before and I know for a fact neither does my network.

Each of these different verticals leads to another billion dollar extension of the advertising industry and if people only knew about them, they'd have more opportunities to aspire to.

The Complexity and Constant Evolution

Digital marketing is also complex and constantly evolving. The rapid pace of technological change means that digital marketers must continuously learn and adapt.

This constant state of flux can be daunting and unappealing to those seeking a stable, predictable career.

As a result, people think that this is something they can't do. For example, think about Conversion API's or Conversion Optimization.

When you hear terms like this is can be daunting.

Guess what, it's supposed to be.

Yes, digital marketing is always evolving, but that makes it possible to be learned.

But this also isn't good for agencies charging high fee's.

Marketing is complex, it can be rocket science, but it can also be easy.

There's nothing better than watching an ivy league consultant grad trying to explain to a client on the power of effective marketing and advertising, describing how data analysis works, maybe even throwing a few marketing formulas out there to boost their ego.

But, when asked by the client, "So, how to get more likes on our posts?"

And the consultant responds with it, "We've concluded more smiley face emoji's will do it."

You'll feel much more eased about starting a career in digital marketing.

The Lack of Early Exposure

Unlike careers such as teaching or medicine, which are often encountered early in life through school and media, digital marketing doesn't usually feature in childhood education or entertainment.

Without early exposure, it's harder for young people to consider it as a career option.

Essentially, this is the biggest one- this is all new. It's crazy to me that someone can call themselves the definitive expert in this or that when the tech was just built last year.

But this is sales and that's how it works.

Like most people, I didn't plan for a career in digital marketing, it just happened.

However, it has been a blessing and I'm very fortunate for it.

The Shift in Perception

Despite these challenges, the perception of digital marketing is slowly changing. As businesses increasingly recognize the value of digital strategies, the role of digital marketers is gaining more respect and visibility.

Educational institutions are offering more courses in digital marketing, and the rise of successful digital marketing professionals sharing their journeys is inspiring a new generation.

While no one may dream of being a digital marketer as a child, the reality of the profession is far from dull. It combines creativity, strategy, and technology to drive business success.

As the digital landscape continues to grow, so too will the recognition and allure of digital marketing as a vital and exciting career.

The key is to increase awareness and appreciation of the field's complexity and impact, encouraging more people to see digital marketing as a dream worth pursuing.