If you are interested in the IT field, you may find the digital marketing industry particularly hopeful. Recent changes in SEO have forced many businesses to reevaluate their online strategies and as a result, new jobs have been created for those who specialize in in-demand skills such as digital and content marketing.

What is content marketing?

As a content marketer, your job is to specialize in blogging and other forms of content that can attract an audience to a website. Part of your role is to provide a steady flow of web traffic, which means you also have to be familiar with the schematics of search engine optimization. Content marketers specialize in producing high quality content that is engaging and educates the website's target audience. Furthermore, they are specialists in distributing this content on the web and getting it in front of the eyes of potential users through social media and other forms of outreach.

Why is digital marketing so in-demand?

Google released a series of updates that limited the effectiveness of SEO loopholes. Previously, businesses were able to fill websites with single-keywords and backlinks to bypass the need for quality content. However, the recent updates made these tactics far less effective and it has become apparent to businesses that a strong content strategy is the only reliable way to increase search engine rankings in 2016 and beyond.

How can I become a content and digital marketing expert?

One of the best things about this field is that a degree isn’t a hard requirement. A bachelor's degree may help you develop the communications, writing and psychology background needed to be a content marketer, and it certainly helps to qualify you for positions within certain companies. But the bulk of your expertise comes from hands-on SEO, content development, Pay Per Click (PPC), social media marketing and other forms of digital promotion. Become an expert in online outreach and how to target an audience online and drive traffic. Much of this can be learned through free material available on the web.