How To Kick-Start Your Digital Marketing Career From The Pros: Webinar

Welcome to the world of digital marketing! Starting a marketing career these days can feel overwhelming—but don’t worry, we’ve got you covered. Four industry experts shared with Udemy their top tips for launching a career in digital marketing and to help you navigate your path with confidence.

Get ready to learn from the best:

• Briain Curtin, VP of Global Marketing at Whoop.
  
• Mattia Santin, SVP of Brand & Growth Marketing at Contentsquare.
  
• Diego Davila, digital marketing expert and Udemy instructor.
  
• Genefa Murphy, Chief Marketing Officer at Udemy.
  

They’ll break down everything from the traits that recruiters actually look for and how to build a portfolio (even if you have zero experience), to which specializations are most in-demand right now. Let’s dive into these digital marketing tips!

1. Build a Portfolio, Not Just a Resume

You might think you can’t build a portfolio because you don’t have any experience—but that’s simply not true. You can, and you should! Briain Curtin, who has nearly 20 years of marketing experience, says that showcasing your work is exactly what will make you stand out.

According to Udemy’s CMO, Genefa Murphy, having a portfolio is very important because it shows that you have initiative and are full of ideas.

Start by:

• Creating a blog.
• Designing sample campaigns.
• Running small-budget ad tests for current projects you are working on.
• Using tools like Canva, Notion, or ChatGPT for content creation or ideation.

Even if you’re new to digital marketing, you can showcase real-world projects like promoting a friend’s small business, managing your personal brand, or building a sample marketing funnel. Employers want to see that you can execute, not just theorize.

2. Understand the Power of Soft Skills

Many beginners overlook soft skills, but they are critical. Briain Curtin and Mattia Santin share the three soft skills they look for when hiring:

• Intensity – Show motivation and drive during your interviews.
  
• Humility – Be confident, but remain open to feedback and learning.
  
• Curiosity – Ask questions. Mattia Santin often observes candidates by the questions they ask and he says that a lack of questions can be a “massive red flag”. So be curious about the role you’re applying for!

Hiring managers notice a candidate’s attitude. If you’re genuinely curious, passionate, and eager to grow, you’ll stand out—even without years of experience.

3. Choose and Focus on a Specialization

Another top digital marketing tip for beginners is to avoid trying to master everything at once. As Curtin shares, “specialization creates early value.” 

The digital marketing field includes many branches—SEO, social media, content marketing, paid advertising, analytics, and more. Start by identifying one area that genuinely interests you and dive deep into it.

For example: 

• Love social media? Experiment with content creation on Instagram or TikTok. 
• Are you analytical? Explore SEO and data interpretation. 

Mastering one domain builds confidence and makes you more valuable to employers or clients.

This article will help you choose your specialization: Digital Marketing Training: How to Learn SEO, PPC, and More

4. Focus on High-Demand Skills

If you’re wondering where to specialize, Diego Davila, a Udemy instructor, recommends prioritizing high-demand skills like:

• AI for marketing – Focus on how AI tools can enhance your existing skills.
  
• Short-form video content (Instagram Reels, TikTok, YouTube Shorts).
  
• SEO and content writing – Search Engine Optimization (SEO) is not dead, but it’s definitely changing in 2025. Focus on creating great value content, building reputation, and branding, to stay top of mind in new search environments like Large Language Models (LLMs).
  
• Email automation for marketing campaigns.
  
• Paid media (Google Ads, Meta Ads, etc).

These areas are growing and can be learned through online courses or hands-on experimentation.

On the flip side, some areas of digital marketing are easily automated, so entry level jobs like basic data entry or copy-pasting social media posts may not offer long-term career security.

5. Embrace AI Without Losing the Human Touch

Artificial intelligence is transforming marketing, but it’s not replacing marketers. Davila explains that we’re shifting from “content creators to content managers or content curators.” 

AI tools can help generate ideas, write content drafts, and even analyze performance—but the human marketer still makes the final call.

Genefa Murphy recommends focusing on core fundamental digital marketing skills, such as understanding the customer journey, data analytics and insights, critical thinking and creative thinking.

Being successful in a digital marketing career still depends on understanding your audience, crafting the right message, and knowing where and how to reach them. So, learn how to use tools like ChatGPT, Notion AI, or Jasper—but don’t forget to be human, authentic, and creative.

6. Use Data to Tell Stories

Both Briain Curtin and Mattia Santin emphasize the importance of data literacy. Digital marketing generates tons of data—from website traffic to conversion rates—but you need to be able to interpret and act on it to set you apart. 

Step 1: Learn to read dashboards and key metrics. 

Step 2: Translate those metrics into stories. What does a drop in engagement really mean? What insights can you give your team or client? This storytelling element turns you from a technician into a strategist.

Learn more: What is Data Analytics? 

7. Stay Curious and Keep Learning

One of the most crucial digital marketing tips for beginners: never stop learning. 

The digital marketing landscape evolves constantly. SEO tactics change, analytics platforms update, social media channels change their algorithms, and new tools emerge every month. Santin recommends “connecting the dots between past best practices and evolving trends.” Keeping up to date is a non-negotiable part of success.

So how can beginners keep up?

• Follow marketers who specialize in your interests on LinkedIn (and curate your feed intentionally).
  
• Listen to podcasts like Marketing Over Coffee or The DigitalMarketer Podcast.
  
• Read blogs like Neil Patel, Ahrefs, and HubSpot.
  
• Use platforms like Udemy for structured learning.

And most importantly—join communities, webinars, and groups. Learn from others’ successes and failures.

8. Know That Your Career Path Isn’t Linear

Mattia Santin, who has worked with companies like Uber, Adidas, and Vistaprint, says his marketing journey wasn’t linear—and that’s OK. You may start in SEO and later move into brand, strategy, or analytics. Or you might come from a non-marketing background like sales or product development.

What matters is how you apply your past experience to marketing. Curtin notes that experience in adjacent roles often gives people an edge in understanding customers, sales goals, and product needs.

9. Be Patient, But Proactive

Finally, a timeless digital marketing tip for beginners: don’t chase job titles but do chase learning environments. Focus on joining teams, companies, or clients where you can grow, contribute, and learn.

Success in marketing isn’t instant. It’s a combination of curiosity, execution, consistency, and creativity over time. Diego Davila put it best: “The cave you fear to enter holds the treasure you seek.” 

Take bold steps, challenge yourself, and embrace discomfort—it’s where growth happens.

Final Thoughts

Starting in digital marketing doesn’t require a fancy degree or years of experience. It requires grit, curiosity, and a willingness to take action. Use these digital marketing tips for beginners to build a strong foundation, create real-world work, and grow into a confident, capable marketer.

Now go build that portfolio, run that test campaign, and connect with your peers. Udemy’s Digital Marketing Career Accelerator is a great place to start! The world of digital marketing is waiting.