Marketing is one of many industries that has evolved over time alongside technology.
For example, traditional marketing and advertising relied on bringing ads, billboards, and window advertisements.
Now, we have digital marketing and advertising that requires a different set of skills.
While the core skills, such as design and copywriting, are just as important, a change in medium and method has created new jobs across the world.
The history of certain marketing methods begins with the first sales. For example, influencer marketing isn’t a new concept. Some celebrities in ancient times, particularly gladiators, were used in advertisements to bring in more customers and influence buyer decisions.
Of course, marketing has been around since the time of trading. Sellers simply didn’t realize they were marketing their products.
But what does that mean in terms of marketing jobs? Let’s look at a few ways marketing jobs have changed thanks to new marketing technologies.
Types of jobs
The invention of the internet changed everything for every person across the world. It changed how we do our jobs, communicate, and entertain ourselves.
In marketing, it meant the switch from relying solely on traditional print marketing methods. With digital marketing jobs, marketers rely on certain skill sets, such as graphic design, web development, and apps, to create successful marketing campaigns.
Everyone involved in the process has a different set of skills. For example, a graphic designer uses different programs to design marketing collateral, while a website developer uses coding skills to make a design into a functional website or application.
Ultimately, the types of jobs available have changed. For example, companies no longer rely on print advertisements to get the word out about their brands. Instead, they can use various digital marketing techniques like SEO, SEM, digital PR, and more to boost brand awareness and increase conversions.
Work location
When marketing and advertising utilized traditional methods like print advertising, they relied on their teams to be in-office to communicate. But decades ago, the internet didn’t exist, so people couldn’t work remotely.
Now, marketing firms have remote or hybrid teams allowing employees to work anywhere in the world. These remote opportunities also allow freelance marketers to work with several companies at once to benefit different companies and teams.
Check out our nine tips to better manage your remote team, as well as our 11 tips to more productive in your remote work from home.
Data analysis
Traditional marketing can be difficult to measure.
For example, if you invest in a billboard marketing strategy, you can’t measure every person who visits your business because they saw a billboard. However, you can measure the increase in business, although that’s not an exact science.
With digital marketing, you can measure everything, allowing marketers to prove their worth to companies and employers. For example, a social media marketing specialist can prove how much they’ve grown the follower count, increased brand awareness, and even boosted conversions through advertising.
Data analysis can enhance trust among marketers, clients, and employers, making their jobs even more important since their results are measurable.
Check out our nine tips to get the most out of Google Analytics. Plus, don’t miss our guides to better understand your metrics within Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.
Importance of soft skills
In the past, employers relied on a worker’s hard skills to get the job done. However, soft skills matter more now than ever because more employees advocate for better company culture.
Soft skills relate to how you work, including how you interact with colleagues, solve problems and manage your work.
A job is no longer only a job. Workers want to be treated well and have a good experience where they spend eight hours of their day.
Therefore, employers are now looking more closely at their employees’ soft skills to ensure a healthy work environment and may even improve the business. For example, anyone dealing directly with clients or customers must have soft skills, as customers care more about their experiences when doing business with a company.
Growth
Marketing jobs offer tons of growth they may not have had in the past. Because marketing was limited to geographic location decades ago, it may have been difficult for people to get jobs in their area.
However, with the use of technology, the marketing industry has created more jobs for marketers. Now, someone in a different country can work for any business without moving a great distance to be part of the team.
Opportunities
Along with growth, marketing offers more opportunities now than it ever did.
In the past, companies may have had their own small marketing teams or worked with agencies. Now, companies can hire anyone, no matter where they’re located, allowing them to build remote teams.
In addition, marketers can now choose to work in offices for agencies, companies, or at home, depending on their needs.
Flexibility
More marketing agencies are offering their employees flexibility. In the past, marketers had to work a full-time, 9-to-5 job.
But now, marketers can work part-time or get more vacation time. While marketing is a necessity for most businesses, it’s not an urgent need. Therefore, there’s no reason an employee can’t work from anywhere in the world or at any time as long as deadlines are being met.
In addition, while agencies still need individuals in the office during regular business hours to answer client calls and emails, it’s no longer necessary for employees to be in the office at all times.
The role of women
Fifty years ago, women had a more traditional role and rarely worked in marketing and advertising. If they did, they were secretaries who weren’t involved in campaigns. Women were housewives and mothers, but they weren’t advertising executives.
Now, as gender roles have changed over time, so have the jobs in marketing. More women than ever before are entering creative and technical job roles, allowing them to pursue their passions.
Will marketing jobs continue to evolve?
As technology evolves, marketing jobs will follow in its path. Keeping up with the changing times and technologies can help marketers be the first in new positions, allowing them to learn new skills and earn more money.
When companies switched from traditional marketing methods to digital strategies, many marketers were left behind because they chose not to change with the times.
While digital marketing will be around as long as the internet is, strategies and methodologies will continue to change. Don’t get left behind.
To stay competitive, consider leveling up your digital marketing process. This can include automation, audience segmentation and enhanced email marketing capabilities, to name a few. DailyStory can help. Schedule your free demo with us today.
About the author
Ashley Nielsen earned a B.S. degree in Business Administration Marketing at Point Loma Nazarene University. She is a freelance writer who loves to share knowledge about general business, marketing, lifestyle, wellness, and financial tips. During her free time, she enjoys being outside, staying active, reading a book, or diving deep into her favorite music.
