5 Ways to Learn Digital Marketing in Nigeria

Digital marketing has become quite the rave now, and many people are beginning to show interest in a digital marketing career. The fact that the internet presents you with the unique opportunity to sell has made the need to learn it even greater.

Considering that Digital Marketing is not exactly taught formally in university classrooms and polytechnics, people interested in learning internet marketing and connected skills have to seek other avenues.

Before deciding where to learn, you need to understand some of the different aspects of digital marketing.

Social Media Marketing – The use of social media to promote business and brands has become an essential part of digital marketing and is a different speciality.

Search Engine Marketing – Visibility on a search engine is a big deal. Everyone wants to rank first on Google and some people major in search engine optimisation.

Inbound Marketing – Draws customers to products using content marketing. It requires mastery of most of the other aspects of digital marketing and is responsible for channelling efforts into sales.

Content Marketing – Content marketing creates and curates content that will push your product online and make you shareable.

Mobile Marketing – Majority of internet users access the internet from their mobile devices. Mobile marketing is channelled towards leveraging on this widespread use of mobile technology.

Web Analytics – This is simply a game of numbers and interpreting the numbers to devise your marketing strategy.

You can decide to focus on any of the above niches and specialise in it, or you can build a career out of all round digital marketing, though eventually, you may find yourself getting better at one area to the detriment of other areas.

Now to the ways you can learn digital marketing.

1. Online Courses

You can take structured courses online from any of the online academies like Udemy, Coursera and the likes. They have both free and paid courses with varying time frames. You can also take Google certification courses like Google Ad Words. Most of the courses are self-paced too, allowing you to fit it into your tight schedule. It is ideal if you already have another job.

2. Intern with a Digital Marketing Agency

There are several digital marketing agencies in Nigeria, especially in Lagos. You can learn by interning with some of these organisations. While getting a paid internship without experience can be a little challenging, some agencies would take you if it would require no financial obligation on their part. Also, having a relevant resume can help you get such internships easily – like a degree or diploma in communications or marketing or cognate work experience.

If you have a vibrant social media account with many followers, be quick to point this out. Also, any other way you think your skills can be useful to the agency will help facilitate your entry into the organisation.

3. Digital Marketing Training

Some digital marketing agencies in Lagos run digital marketing training institutes and programs for those interested in building a career in digital marketing. Some of these courses are affordable and are ideal for anyone seeking classroom experience to learn digital marketing. It is ideal for fresh school leavers or other persons who do not already have jobs.

The downside of learning digital marketing through this form is that it is most likely the most expensive option as you have to pay your way through; however, it is perhaps the easiest option.

4. Learn on the Job

You can learn digital marketing on the job. By running a blog, you can do trial and error, ask questions from experts, read and research on methods that you can apply to your blog. You can also run digital marketing for your business or brand and improve yourself through this method.

This method is usually not advisable on its own. It is better that you combine one of the other methods with it. Learning on the job can take much time and open you up to mistakes that would cause irreparable damage.

5. Read a Book/Blog

There are books and blogs dedicated to digital marketing or any of its many aspects. You can take time to read digital marketing blogs or buy books on the topic, digest and test the skills taught from these books. This method is not cost-intensive but may not help you attain mastery of digital marketing.

In the end, to become an expert digital marketer in Nigeria, your best bet is to combine all most of the options presented in the article. You can start with reading blogs and books, proceed to online courses and certifications, explore formal training options and then intern with a reputable firm. This way you would have picked up the innumerable dynamics of digital marketing from different masters.