Falling in Love with Digital Marketing: My Experience at the Girls in Marketing Internship Programme

Taking part in the Digital Marketing Internship Programme run by Girls In Marketing was an incredible experience that opened new pathways for my career. Throughout the three-day programme, I gained practical knowledge, connected with industry experts, and discovered the vast possibilities within digital marketing. This post is an insight into my experience and the lessons I learnt.

Day 1: Building My Digital Marketing Career

To kick the programme off, Olivia Hanlon, the CEO of Girls in Marketing, presented at the session, highlighting the endless opportunities in the digital marketing field. I learnt why digital marketing is an excellent and rewarding career path:

• Rapid growth: The industry is expanding daily, offering a high earning potential, especially if you move into a specialised role.

• Flexibility: Many roles offer remote work opportunities, making it perfect for job seekers who want a better work-life balance.

• Low barrier to entry: You don't need a formal degree to enter the field. All you need are the right skills and a willingness to learn.

During the session, we also explored the different pathways within the industry, from a generalist role to a specialist role focusing on content marketing, social media or SEO. This session helped me to understand the different types of organisations I could work for:

• Large corporations with well-resourced marketing teams.

• Small businesses/start-ups where you wear many hats.

• Marketing agencies offering specialised services.

• Non-profits and public services focusing on social impact.

In-Depth Digital Marketing Skills

One of the key highlights of the programme was the comprehensive coverage of different essential digital marketing skills. On each day, we explored other areas that are crucial for a successful career in digital marketing:

• SEO (Search Engine Optimisation): Rita Cidre from SRMrush introduced us to the world of SEO, providing a basic understanding before diving deeper into the details. Rita explained how SEO involves processes to improve website rankings in search engines. I learned the importance of fulfilling users' search needs through strategic keyword use, on-page optimisation, and content creation to drive organic traffic. Understanding SEO basics equips marketers with the tools to create more effective online campaigns.

• PPC (Pay-Per-Clicks): Knowing how to create and manage PPC campaigns is critical in today's digital landscape. I learnt that effective PPC camapigns can help buisnesses reach their target audience quickly and cost-effectively, espcially when launching new services or products.

• Content and Email Marketing: At the heart of digital marketing is content creation; we explored how to craft compelling content that resonated with the audience, from social media posts to blogs. The programme also covered email marketing strategies, highlighting how to create well-regulated campaigns that nurture leads and build lasting customer relationships.

• Social Media Management: I gained insights into the power of social media platforms. I learnt how to engage the audience, create thumb-stopping content and use analytic tools to measure the success of social campaigns.

• Analytics: Knowing how to measure and analyse the performance of campaigns is vital for optimisation. I was introduced to various analytic tools essential for tracking key metrics like website traffic, user behaviour and conversions.

This in-depth exploration of digital marketing skills gave me a strange foundation and prepared me to take on various roles within the digital marketing industry.

Sharing My Learning on LinkedIn

At the end of the first day, we were encouraged to reflect on our key takeaways and share them with our network. I took this opportunity to create a post highlighting the insights I gained from the first day. It was a powerful exercise, pushing me to think critically about what I had learned and communicate it effectively with my connections.

I continued this practice through the programme by summarising each day in a LinkedIn post. This daily reflection helped me to:

• Reinforce the knowledge: By summarising key points, I could cement the concepts we discussed, whether they were SEO strategies, personal branding, or campaign management.

• Engage with my network: Sharing these summaries sparked conversations with industry professionals, allowing me to network and gain further insights.

• Build my brand: Creating these posts showcased my active participation in the programme and my passion for digital marketing, helping me to strengthen my online presence.

For instance, my Day 2 post focused on my newfound knowledge of using tools like Google Trends and Pinterest for insporation. By Day 3, I emphasised the importance of personal branding and explored the new platform created by Riser and how it is a game changer for job applications.

Day 2: Unleashing My Creative Marketing Genius

The second day began with a session led by Leala Jackson, where she discussed how to become a creative marketing genius. I learnt about the creative side of marketing and how to:

• Use Google Trends to identify current trends.

• Seek inspiration on platforms like Pinterest and Dribble

• Create effective marketing campaigns, from product launches to SEO strategies.

One of the standout lessons was the importance of setting SMART goals - Specific, Measurable, Actionable, Relevant, and Time-bound - for any marketing campaign.

Types of Marketing Campaigns

A fascinating part of the programme was learning about various marketing campaigns that digital markers can run. Joanne Saani's session on managing your first marketing campaign provided a comprehensive overview of different campaign types, each of which serves its purposes:

• Product Marketing Campaigns: These types of campaigns focus on the features and benefits of a product. These campaigns are used during product launches. I learned how to create traffic around a new product by completing messaging and targeted promotions.

• Sales Promotion Campaigns: These campaigns drive sales through limited-time offers, discounts, and special promotions. We explored how to use urgency and scarcity to motivate customers to take action.

• Brand Awareness Campaigns: Building a brand identity is vital, especially for new companies. These campaigns aim to introduce the brand to a broader audience and create lasting impressions. We discussed strategies to humanise brands and connect emotionally with audiences.

• SEO Campaigns: To improve a website's organic search rankings, one will use this type of campaigning. The session reinforced the importance of keyword research, content creation, and technical SEO to drive sustainable, long-term traffic.

• Social Media Campaigns: These campaigns engage audiences and promote brand values across social platforms. We discussed creating content that resonates with target demographics and drives user interaction.

• PR Campaigns: Public Relations campaigns help to shape public perception of a brand or product. I learned how PR works with digital marketing to boost a brand's image and credibility.

• 360 Marketing Campaigns: This holistic approach involves using a variety of channels - online, offline, email, PR, social media, and more - to create a cohesive and integrated marketing strategy. It's about meeting the audience wherever they are.

Understanding these different campaigns has broadened my perspective on what it means to create well-rounded marketing strategies. I feel equipped to plan and execute various campaigns depending on a brand's specific needs and goals.

Day 3: Personal Branding and Career Progression

We focused on building a personal brand and networking on the final day. Lamee Butt and Suzanne Bannister from Riser emphasised the power of video as a modern version of CVs, encouraging us to tell our unique stories authentically. Here are the key takeaways from their session:

• Sell Your Authentic Self: Be honest about your skills and ambitions. A polished video isn't necessary; authenticity is what truly matters.

• Importance of Personal Branding: Personal branding is crucial for building trust and credibility and creating opportnities. Keira Penny shared strategies for defining a target audience, highlighting your unique value proposition, and maintain consistent messaging.

Networking is a valuable tool for someone's career progression. By actively engaging with others, building relationships and sharing insights, we can open doors to new opportunities. I also learned practical networking tips:

• Have a clear vision: Define what you want to achieve and communicate it.

• Be consistent: Consistency in your messaging builds trust and recognition.

• Offer support: Helping others strengthens relationships and enhances your reputation.

Next Step: How This Internship Shaped My Future Plans

Participating in these internships was transformative and deepened my passion for the industry. Every day, I discovered new aspects of digital marketing that made me fall even more in love with the field. From building effective marketing campaigns to understanding the importance of personal branding, this journey has provided me with invaluable knowledge and insight.

Moving forward, this program has shaped my plans in several ways:

• Specialising in critical areas: To break into the industry, I need to specialise and sharpen my skills in SEO, content marketing, and analytics. The sessions on SEO and PPC piqued my interest, and I plan to pursue additional training and certifications in these areas to build a strong foundation.

• Expanding my personal brand: The sessions on personal branding inspired me to continue building my online presence. I plan to share insights on LinkedIn regularly and engage in industry conversations to connect with other professionals. I aim to position myself as a knowledgeable and reliable digital marketer, attracting potential opportunities.

• Starting personal projects: One of the biggest takeaways was the importance of hands-on experience. I aim to keep up with my blog and apply the strategies I've learned to showcase my skills and gain experience managing marketing campaigns.

• Continuing learning: The digital marketing field is ever-evolving, and this program taught me that staying updated with industry trends is crucial. I'm committed to on going learning by following industry blogs, attending webinars, and participating in networking events.

This internship has equipped me with essential digital marketing skills and clarified the path I want to pursue in the industry. It's exciting to think about the possibilities ahead. I am eager to continue growing, learning, and contributing to the digital marketing world. The Girls in Marketing Internship was the spark I needed to set my plans into motion, and I can't wait to see where this journey takes me.