What Exactly Does a Digital Marketer Do? Key Roles and Skills

What Exactly Does a Digital Marketer Do?

A digital marketer can encourage even the most hesitant users to click, interact, and eventually take action.

Digital marketing has become essential for entrepreneurs and small business owners who want to grow their brands and compete with larger companies.

Why?

It allows you to reach more people, engage directly with your audience, and drive sales—all online where your customers spend their time.

Over 4.9 billion people use the internet worldwide, making digital marketing one of the most powerful tools for reaching your target audience effectively. 

This guide is here to help you:

• Understand what digital marketing involves.
• Learn the key skills you need.
• Find out how to start using it effectively.

You’ll explore what digital marketers do, why SEO is important, and how to create strategies that work.

By the end, you’ll see why digital marketing is vital, know how to use it and understand how it can help your business grow.

This guide will turn digital marketing from something complex into a tool that helps you make smart decisions and see real results.

1. What Exactly Does a Digital Marketer Do?

A digital marketer helps businesses reach their audience online and boost engagement and sales.

What does a Digital Marketer do?

They plan and manage campaigns, create and optimize content, handle social media accounts, and use SEO to improve search rankings. They also analyze data to see what works and adjust strategies for better results.

For example, Neil Patel reaches millions of readers with targeted blog posts, SEO, and email campaigns. Digital marketers combine creativity and tech skills to build strategies that engage audiences. They use tools like Google Analytics to track performance and social media platforms to create conversations with customers.

Why does this matter?

These tasks help businesses stay competitive by understanding customer behavior and making data-driven decisions that increase traffic and boost conversions. For entrepreneurs, having a digital marketer can mean the difference between just having an online presence and achieving real growth.

2. Is Digital Marketing Related to IT?

Digital marketing does involve technology, but it’s not an IT job.

Why the confusion? Digital marketers relies on tech tools like SEO software and Google Analytics for data tracking and running campaigns. However, it focuses on strategy, creativity, and customer engagement rather than IT management or coding.

Marketers need to know how to use tools like Canva for content creation but don’t need deep programming skills. According to Forbes, mastering tech tools helps marketers build data-driven strategies to reach their audience effectively.

Bottom line? Digital marketing requires tech knowledge, but it’s driven by strategy and understanding customer needs, not IT skills.

3. Is Digital Marketing Effective for Small Businesses?

Yes, digital marketing works really well for small businesses.

Why?

It’s scalable, cost-effective, and allows you to reach your ideal customers with precision. Unlike traditional methods, digital marketing gives measurable results so you know exactly where your money is going.

According to WordStream, businesses using digital ads often see up to a 20% boost in sales.

A great example is Dollar Shave Club, which used a viral video to go from a small startup to a company valued at $1 billion.

Digital marketer allows small businesses to test different strategies, learn what resonates with their audience, and make quick adjustments. This makes it more than just an expense; it’s a valuable investment that can drive growth and increase revenue.

4. How Can I Become a Digital Marketer Without Spending a Lot?

Learning digital marketing doesn’t have to be expensive.

Where to start? Many free resources provide high-quality training. Platforms like Google Digital Garage and HubSpot Academy offer free courses on SEO, social media, and content marketing.

Next step? Practice what you learn. Managing your own social media or starting a blog helps you apply strategies and see real results. Use free trials of tools like Canva for creating content and Mailchimp for email campaigns to gain hands-on experience.

Takeaway: Combining free learning resources with practice will help you build digital marketing skills and apply them to your business without spending a lot.

5. Is Digital Marketing Cost-Effective for Small Businesses?

Yes, digital marketing is highly effective for small businesses.

Why?

It’s affordable, targeted, and measurable. Small businesses can reach specific audiences without wasting money on broad advertising.

HubSpot reports that 78% of small businesses using digital marketing see better ROI compared to traditional methods.

Email marketing, for example, has an average ROI of $42 for every $1 spent. This is why more small businesses are prioritizing digital strategies.

A great example is Glossier, which started as a small beauty blog and used social media and SEO to become a multi-million-dollar brand.

Digital marketing lets small businesses test campaigns, learn what works, and adapt quickly. It’s not just effective; it’s essential for growth and staying competitive.

6. How Do I Start Creating Digital Products for My Business?

Creating digital products can help your business generate passive income and offer added value to your customers.

What are digital products?

These include eBooks, online courses, templates, and software that customers can download or access digitally.

Digital marketers start by identifying what their audience needs—like an online course about social media marketing or downloadable templates for budgeting.

Steps to get started:

Use tools such as Canva for designing eBooks and Thinkific for building courses to create your products. Platforms like Gumroad for selling digital content make it easy to market your creations. Share your digital products on your website, through email newsletters, and on social media.

Pro tip: Start with a pilot version, gather feedback, and make improvements. This helps ensure your product meets customer expectations.

7. How Hard Is It to Learn Digital Marketing for My Business?

Becoming a digital marketer can feel challenging, but it’s manageable for business owners.

What’s involved? Digital marketing includes skills like SEO, content writing, PPC, and social media management. Breaking it down and starting with one area at a time makes the process easier. Focus first on social media marketing before expanding to SEO or PPC.

How to learn effectively: Take advantage of free online courses from Coursera or Google Digital Garage. Combine learning with hands-on practice by managing your business’s social media or optimizing a blog for search engines.

Practical experience makes learning easier, as Seth Godin says, “The best way to learn marketing is to do marketing.”

8. How Important Is SEO in Digital Marketing?

SEO (Search Engine Optimization) is a key driver for organic traffic and visibility.

What is SEO? It’s the process of optimizing your website to rank higher in search engine results, helping potential customers find your business without paid advertising.

Main parts of SEO:

• On-page SEO: Focuses on optimizing content, keywords, and meta descriptions.
• Off-page SEO: Involves building backlinks to improve site authority.
• Technical SEO: Ensures your site runs smoothly, with fast load times and mobile optimization.

Even basic SEO practices can make a big impact on small businesses. Digital Marketers use tools like Moz for keyword research to improve on-page SEO, while Screaming Frog’s SEO Spider assists in technical checks.

9. What Are Examples of Digital Products I Can Create?

Digital products are versatile and scalable, making them a smart option for business growth.

Examples include:

• eBooks on popular industry topics.
• Online courses sharing your expertise.
• Templates and tools like checklists, guides, or marketing calendars.
• Stock photos or design assets.
• Subscription-based newsletters with exclusive insights.

Why choose digital products? They offer a way to earn passive income without ongoing production costs. Platforms like Thinkific for creating courses and Gumroad for easy sales can make your Digital Marketer journey started quickly.

Creating digital products helps entrepreneurs build their brand authority while reaching a wider audience.

10. How Can a Digital Marketer Start Digital Marketing for My Business?

Starting digital marketing can be simple with the right steps.

First, understand the basics by researching key concepts like social media marketing, SEO, and content creation. Resources like LinkedIn Learning’s marketing courses offer comprehensive lessons for beginners.

Choose your focus area—start with one aspect like content marketing or social media campaigns.

Get practical: Create small projects such as a blog post optimized for SEO or a basic social media campaign. Use tools like Canva for creating content and Buffer for scheduling posts to streamline your process.

Evaluate your efforts by tracking key metrics using platforms like Google Analytics. Modify your strategies based on how your data performs.

11. What Skills Do I Need as an Entrepreneur to Do Digital Marketing?

Entrepreneurs need a mix of analytical, creative, and technical skills to succeed in digital marketing.

Analytical skills help a digital marketer to understand data and make informed choices. Platforms like Google Data Studio for data visualization can support this.

Creativity is vital for crafting compelling content that stands out. Try tools like Canva to create designs quickly.

Basic technical knowledge of tools and platforms is needed to execute campaigns effectively. Understanding SEO fundamentals and paid advertising allows you to reach your target audience efficiently.

Strong communication and adaptability are crucial since trends evolve quickly. Following marketing blogs and participating in webinars will keep you informed.

10 Most Successful Digital Marketer’s Campaigns

1. Nike’s “Just Do It” Campaign Nike’s iconic slogan became more than just a phrase—it was a movement. Through powerful storytelling and inspirational ads featuring athletes, Nike connected emotionally with its audience, fostering brand loyalty and driving massive sales.

2. Coca-Cola’s “Share a Coke” This personalized campaign swapped out the classic Coke logo for popular names on bottles, encouraging customers to find and share their personalized drink. The result? A boost in sales and a viral social media wave as people posted photos of their bottles.

3. Old Spice’s “The Man Your Man Could Smell Like” Old Spice revamped its image with a humorous, engaging ad that showcased their products in an unforgettable way. The campaign, which featured Isaiah Mustafa’s quirky monologues, went viral and revitalized the brand.

4. Dove’s “Real Beauty Sketches” Dove’s emotional campaign focused on how women perceive their own beauty versus how others see them. The message of self-love and confidence resonated globally, earning millions of views and creating strong brand affinity.

5. ALS Ice Bucket Challenge Although it was for a charitable cause, this viral campaign is a lesson in user-generated content. The challenge spread like wildfire across social media, raising over $115 million for ALS research while showing the power of engagement.

6. Apple’s “Shot on iPhone” Apple tapped into its users’ creativity by launching the “Shot on iPhone” campaign, which featured real photos taken by users. This user-generated content strengthened trust and showcased the quality of the iPhone’s camera.

7. Always’ #LikeAGirl digital marketers of Always tackled gender stereotypes with the #LikeAGirl campaign, which questioned why doing things “like a girl” was seen as an insult. The campaign sparked conversations, empowering their audience and aligning the brand with social progress.

8. Airbnb’s “We Are Here” Campaign Airbnb created a series of live experiences streamed on social media, highlighting local culture and communities. This campaign boosted brand awareness and positioned Airbnb as more than just a booking service—it was an experience platform.

9. Spotify’s “Wrapped” Spotify took user data to a personal level by launching “Wrapped,” which showcased users’ top songs, artists, and genres for the year. It was widely shared on social media and strengthened user loyalty.

10. Wendy’s Social Media Strategy Wendy’s digital marketer’s playful and sometimes sassy approach on Twitter turned into a viral success. Their witty comebacks and creative roasts generated engagement and drew attention to the brand without traditional advertising.

10 Most Successful Digital Marketing Campaigns by Intent Tale’s Digital Marketers for Clients

1. TilesWale: From Struggling to Leading

Before: TilesWale faced tough competition and low visibility.

Help from Intent Tale:

1. Secured the WhatsApp Green Tick, making them more trustworthy.
2. Ranked for 419 keywords, bringing 379 new visitors each month.
3. Created content that connected with people.

Results: TilesWale became a trusted leader with better traffic and loyal customers.

2. Star Academy: From Aspiring to Influential

Before: Hard to stand out in the beauty market and get student interest.

Help from Intent Tale:

1. Earned the WhatsApp Green Tick after three tries, boosting credibility.
2. Created PR articles that got 610 views and increased awareness.
3. Optimized their digital space, growing Instagram followers to 29.8K.

Results: More students, trust, and industry recognition.

3. EcoCare Technologies: From Hidden to Eco-Leader

Before: Low visibility and barely any traffic (only 2 visits a month).

Help from Intent Tale:

1. Secured the WhatsApp Green Tick for trust.
2. Ranked for 9 eco-friendly keywords.
3. Added 794 backlinks, boosting traffic by 500%.

Results: EcoCare became known for eco-friendly solutions with over 1,000 visitors a month.

4. Arise Intensity Academy: From Overlooked to Trusted

Before: Hard to get noticed in the education field.

Help from Intent Tale:

1. Earned the WhatsApp Green Tick on the second try.
2. Published PR articles on top educational sites.
3. Improved digital presence, driving more sign-ups.

Results: Increased trust, visibility, and higher engagement.

5. Metrolite: From Unknown to Trusted

Before: Hard to prove reliability in home services.

Help from Intent Tale:

1. Secured WhatsApp Green Tick for instant credibility.
2. Improved SEO, ranking for 18 new keywords.
3. Built social media presence, increasing followers.

Results: More customer trust, visits, and inquiries.

6. CSTC: From Low Visibility to Recognized Leader

Before: Low online presence and minimal brand recognition.

Help from Intent Tale:

1. Achieved WhatsApp Green Tick for trust.
2. Launched PR campaigns reaching 72 million views.
3. Improved domain authority and boosted organic traffic.

Results: Better credibility and more online traffic.

7. Make Space Interior: From Rejected to Verified

Before: Repeated WhatsApp verification rejections.

Help from Intent Tale:

1. Refined brand message and online details.
2. Enhanced online footprint for trust.

Results: Got the Green Tick, more customer trust, and better engagement.

8. SmiloShine: From Setback to Success

Before: Failed to get WhatsApp Green Tick on the first try.

Help from Intent Tale:

1. Updated messaging and held trust-building workshops.
2. Launched PR efforts that reached 56 million views.

Results: Verified status, higher trust, and social media growth.

9. Zuvius Lifesciences: From Offline to Online Credibility

Before: Hard to show their authority online.

Help from Intent Tale:

1. Secured the Green Tick for trust.
2. Featured in major media outlets like Forbes India.

Results: Better domain authority and increased online visits.

10. Wildlense Eco Foundation: From Passion to Recognition

Before: Difficult to build trust and visibility.

Help from Intent Tale:

1. Secured the Green Tick within 24 hours of Tier 3 status.
2. PR article received over 559,000 views.

Results: More monthly visitors and stronger online credibility.

These campaigns show that successful digital marketers rely on creativity, understanding the audience, and authentic storytelling. From household names to emerging brands, each example highlights the power of emotional connections and innovative strategies.

Whether through humor, education, or community-building, digital marketing continues to be an essential tool for businesses aiming to resonate with their audience and drive growth.

Conclusion

Digital marketing is essential for business growth. This guide covered key topics like what digital marketers do, creating digital products, the role of SEO, and the skills needed for success.

Did you know that 78% of small businesses see better ROI with digital marketing than traditional methods? This shows its power to boost engagement and drive growth.

Apply these insights, start learning, and see how digital marketing can elevate your business. The sooner you get started, the quicker you’ll see results.