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How I Would Learn Digital Marketing (If I Could Start Over)

Ahrefs2023-08-16
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248K views|1 years ago
💫 Short Summary

In the video, an experienced digital marketer shares his advice on how to learn digital marketing effectively, based on his own mistakes and successes. He emphasizes the importance of choosing one area of digital marketing to focus on, making a mental commitment to learn, practicing and gaining hands-on experience, and avoiding shortcuts. He also recommends taking a reputable beginner's course and potentially seeking a job or internship at an agency to accelerate learning. Joshua Hardwick, a seasoned digital marketer, shares his insights on what he would do differently if he could start his career in digital marketing over again. He emphasizes the importance of avoiding shortcuts, building relationships with like-minded individuals and industry experts, and the options of specializing further, staying a generalist, or expanding into complementary areas within digital marketing. Hardwick stresses the value of continuous learning and intentional practice in order to succeed in the field.

✨ Highlights
📊 Transcript
Focus on just one area of digital marketing to become an expert.
00:00
In the early days of his career, the speaker made the mistake of trying various areas of digital marketing without focusing on one.
He found success when he committed to learning and mastering search engine optimization (SEO).
It's best to choose one area, such as email marketing, pay-per-click advertising, SEO, or social media marketing, and become really good at it.
Learn digital marketing in three stages: fundamentals, connections between fundamentals, and execution of techniques.
02:20
In the example of focusing on SEO, stage one involves understanding the importance of SEO for businesses, how search engines work, and the main ways SEO is done (e.g., keyword research, link building, technical SEO, on-page SEO).
Stage two is about understanding how the fundamentals work together, such as the connection between content creation and keyword research in SEO.
Stage three is learning how to execute techniques, including understanding the workflows and tools needed for the job.
The best way to learn digital marketing is to practice and get first-hand experience.
04:14
After learning the basics, it's important to practice what you've learned.
Creating your own website provides a safe place to practice digital marketing skills.
Two tips for effective practice: cut off from consuming new content and focus on practicing the fundamentals, and don't obsess over non-essential things that don't move your progress forward.
Accelerate your growth in digital marketing by getting a job or internship at an agency.
05:48
Working at an agency allows you to gain diverse experience and apply your learnings in various scenarios.
You can learn from and be mentored by people ahead of you in their digital marketing careers.
Avoid taking shortcuts, as they can cost you in the long run. The speaker shares a personal experience of taking an SEO shortcut that ended up costing his company seven figures.
Avoid shortcuts and focus on learning link building for long-term success.
07:00
Focusing on learning link building would have resulted in a better exit when selling the site.
Link building skills are applicable to almost every other SEO-driven business.
💫 FAQs about This YouTube Video

1. What is the first thing to focus on when learning digital marketing?

The first thing to focus on when learning digital marketing is to choose just one area of digital marketing to focus on, such as email marketing, pay-per-click advertising, search engine optimization, or social media marketing, and to get really good at it.

2. What are the three stages of learning digital marketing?

The three stages of learning digital marketing are: understanding the fundamentals, making connections between the fundamentals, and learning how to execute techniques, which can be achieved through taking a reputable beginners course in the chosen area of digital marketing.

3. Why is it important to practice what you've learned in digital marketing?

It is important to practice what you've learned in digital marketing to gain first-hand experience and to solidify your skills. Creating your own website can provide a safe place to practice and apply your knowledge.

4. How can working at a digital marketing agency help in learning digital marketing?

Working at a digital marketing agency can provide diverse project experiences, opportunities to learn from experienced professionals, and a fast-paced learning environment, which can be beneficial for gaining knowledge and skills in digital marketing.

5. What is the potential downside of taking shortcuts in digital marketing?

The potential downside of taking shortcuts in digital marketing can lead to serious consequences, such as the example of buying backlinks leading to a drastic loss of traffic and revenue due to violation of Google's webmaster guidelines.

6. What is the importance of avoiding shortcuts in digital marketing, according to the video?

The importance of avoiding shortcuts in digital marketing is emphasized as they can lead to costly outcomes, as mentioned in the video. It is highlighted that focusing on learning link building and building relationships with people are crucial for long-term success in the field.

7. How does the video emphasize the significance of building relationships in digital marketing?

The video emphasizes the significance of building relationships in digital marketing by highlighting the importance of networking with like-minded people and industry experts. It suggests that forming these relationships can lead to valuable opportunities for learning and career growth.

8. What are the potential paths for career development in digital marketing discussed in the video?

The video discusses three potential paths for career development in digital marketing, which include staying a generalist, niching down further, or expanding into other areas of digital marketing. Each path is presented with its pros and cons, providing insights for individuals seeking to advance their careers in the field.

9. How does the video portray the continuous learning journey in digital marketing?

The video portrays digital marketing as a field that requires a continuous learning journey. It emphasizes the importance of learning from others, embracing intentional learning followed by doing, and acknowledges that making mistakes is part of the learning process. The speaker shares their own experiences to showcase the ongoing learning involved in digital marketing.

10. What is the overarching message conveyed regarding success in the digital marketing field?

The overarching message conveyed is that success in the digital marketing field requires a long-term, continuous learning and relationship-building approach. The video emphasizes the importance of avoiding shortcuts, building genuine relationships, and embracing the journey of learning and growth within the industry.