What It’s Like to Work in Digital Marketing in 2022 – Part 3

We recently sat down with some of the newest members of the team to find out what they think about the digital marketing industry so far, and what their advice would be for individuals looking to land their first gig in digital.

Paid Media Executive, Max Leslie-Smith shares his experience.

Starting Out.

I studied marketing at university, which has helped a lot with understanding the strategy behind digital marketing. After graduating I had a few jobs that were less focussed on digital marketing, so I was happy to be able to move into a role in which I could directly apply what I had learnt at university.

I also supported my degree by doing a few online courses on SEO and PPC advertising, which also helped me gain a basic understanding of the technical aspects of digital marketing.

When I first started, I was surprised about how much there is to learn in the world of digital marketing, but everyone at Uprise Up has been really supportive and provided lots of guidance which has made it a smooth transition from graduate to marketeer.

A day in the life.

 It’s been very interesting to understand all the processes that are required to keep an agency functioning effectively, which isn’t something I’d considered before joining Uprise Up. The processes, such as tracking how long I spend working on different accounts, took some time to get using to but I feel that I’m now getting the hang of them. I also thought my role would be solely focussed on Google Ads, but I quickly understood that there is a lot more to it and I feel that even after 5 months at Uprise Up I feel like I’ve only just scratched the surface of the digital marketing world.

Working with charities and socially positive organisations highlights how much hard work is being done behind the scenes. Seeing the determination that people in this sector have to make the world a better place has heightened my values and encourages me to do the same.

I’d like to continue to take on more responsibility and produce digital campaigns that deliver excellent results for our clients.

Changing Perceptions.

One expectation I had going into the role was that, as paid ads sounded like quite a niche role, there would be limited learnings. I wasn’t sure how much ongoing learning there would be. However, I’ve discovered that there is loads to learn, not just on Google Ads but also on other platforms such as Google Analytics which are essential for running successful digital campaigns. As it’s an agency role I expected it to be fast-paced, which it is, and I’m enjoying the challenge.

I enjoy that there is massive scope in the industry for learning and progression. The fast-paced and constant change of the industry also keeps me on my toes.

Advice for those pursuing a career in digital marketing.

Take your time when deciding whether to go to university. I enjoyed the experience, but I don’t think there’s anything you can’t learn through online courses and real-life experience. If you think digital is for you but don’t want to go to university, then getting an entry-level job and working your way up is another a good option. When you start looking for jobs having a decent LinkedIn profile is also important to help you get noticed and build up a network. If you don’t have one set up, I recommend you start there.

Have a question?

If you have any questions about what it’s like to work in digital marketing or would like to share your experience, feel free to get in touch online or send us a message at hello@upriseup.co.uk.