Is there a future as a Digital Marketer?

This year 2020 has been a roller coaster ride for everyone globally. No one could have predicted the havoc the COVID-19 pandemic caused around the world. To 'flatten the curve', many countries had their citizens stay home in a sort of lock-down. Bustling cities and busy roads were deserted as everyone stayed cooped up at home, whether they liked it or not. Only essential services were allowed to operate in most cases.

In Malaysia, the Movement Control Order (MCO) started on 18 March 2020 with many Malaysians not knowing what to expect. While the regular world slowed down, something else was happening in the online world. Since most people were stuck at home, internet usage skyrocketed with some users complaining of slow connections due to increased traffic and bandwidth congestion. Food delivery services boomed and provided a lifeline to F&B services to have an income stream.

Many Malaysians took the time to experiment in the kitchen, trying out various recipes and most social media feeds were filled with all kinds of food dishes. It was also this time that many had to resort to 'Zoom' meetings, Google Meet or even Skype to stay connected to their colleagues. Students and teachers were forced to adapt to online classes whether they were ready or not.

Unfortunately for many, retrenchment became a reality and to top it all off, the full effects of the MCO on the economy will still be felt in the coming months.

However, during this time there are some industries that experienced growth such as delivery services, video conferencing softwares, online gaming, online shopping and online learning. And since human beings are creatures of habit, the 'new norm' of doing things online will just keep growing exponentially.

Businesses that have a digital presence will rely heavily on digital marketing to target their audiences as they compete for 'eyeballs' and build their online brand.

Digital marketing is slated to be one of the fastest growing industry as the rate at which technology is evolving is unbelievable; from new social platforms to new mobile technologies, every day is an opportunity. Traditional marketing methods are seeing decreased spending as companies move their budgets online.

Companies are now on the lookout for candidates that are able to adapt to changing technologies on social media and have a knack for online marketing. A traditional marketing degree is just not going to do it. If a company requires their staff to do Facebook marketing, they will be looking for candidates with the technical know how and not someone with a regular degree.


The demand for digital marketers is currently very high as there are not enough qualified digital marketers available. As more companies make their move into building their digital presence, the demand will definitely go up.

If you've been thinking about making a career move into digital marketing or worry about the career prospects, rest assured that the demand for digital marketers will remain high in the next 5-10 years.

Digital marketing is not just a trend, it is the future. According to the TheEdge Markets (April 27), traditional media advertising expenditure dipped 9% in the first quarter of the year and the downward trend is set to continue.

The Return on Investment (ROI) of digital marketing is much higher compared to traditional marketing and results can be monitored, tracked, analysed and modifications made during a campaign in real time. Re-marketing is also a very powerful aspect of digital marketing that is unmatched by traditional media.

Businesses are currently scrambling to get their digital strategies in place and digital marketers are the first in their employment criteria.

So, is there a future as a Digital Marketer? Most definitely.

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