So, you’re convinced that marketing is the right career for you – but you’re just not sure how to get started. Marketing is one of the fastest-growing career paths in the world, and more people than ever want to enter this field. If you’re one of them, you may be wondering what you need to do to get the edge over your competition.

If that sounds like you, you’re in the right place. Here are 6 tips that will help you pursue a career in marketing and leave all the rest behind.

1.  Choose Your Field

One of the best ways to stand out from the rest is the ability to bring something to a role that other people may not be able to. To do this, you’ll first need to figure out what part of the marketing you would like to specialize in.

You can choose a role depending on your personal preference, market demands, or both. Some marketing specializations include market research, content marketing, and search engine marketing (SEM). Other areas employers are often on the lookout for include digital advertising and social media marketing.

Once you’ve chosen a field, make sure to build up your portfolio to showcase your skills in these areas before you approach employers.

2.  Get a Degree

Getting a degree tells potential employers that you have a background in the subject and a good understanding of its fundamental concepts. While you can get into marketing without a formal education, a degree gives you theoretical knowledge you may not be able to gain elsewhere.

Additionally, getting a marketing degree is not too complicated or time-consuming. You can realistically complete a masters in digital marketing online, allowing you to work in your free time. Unlike traditional full-time and in-person educational formats, you don’t have to put your job on hold while pursuing an online degree.

Once you have a degree, employers will often feel more confident in hiring you as you’ll have a greater familiarity with the tools than the self-taught applicants. You can also explore the different marketing specializations and get a better understanding of what works for you before applying for a job.

3.  Improve Your Communication

Marketing is all about communication – communicating with customers, co-workers, and higher-ups. To boost your chances of getting ahead in the field, you’ll need to communicate better with everyone around you.

The simplest way to improve your communication is, well, to communicate more. Write more, participate in online forums, and be active in social media groups. Additionally, attend marketing events and workshops to become better at specialist communication – which is to say, communicating with others in the same field as you.

That said, you should work to improve your communication skills in all aspects of your life. Proofread emails and letters, and make sure your online communication is clear and concise. Additionally, be open to feedback and incorporate it where possible to boost your communication skills.

4.  Network

Networking is key in any job, and it’s especially essential in marketing. It can be a daunting task, but it’s also a great way to get ahead in the field.

Attend networking events set up by your company, as well as any local get-togethers that others in the industry may set up. When you attend these events, make sure to circulate and talk to the people attending the event, and don’t just hang around in a corner with a drink in your hand. Remember, networking events are only effective if people take note of your attendance and remember to communicate with you.

5.  Create a Portfolio

Ideally, you should have an extensive portfolio to demonstrate to potential employers that you will be a great addition to their organization. This should include content you’ve already worked on including any freelance projects you may have worked on.

Another option is to build your own blog or vlog. There are numerous ways in which you can capitalize on a personal blog. Your blog gives potential employers an understanding of your voice and technical skill. By building a following, you can also show that you have the necessary skills to effectively market yourself; skills that will be useful for companies looking to hire.

When blogging (or vlogging), make sure to focus on quality over quantity. Having hundreds of poorly written posts will not be as effective as a few high-quality, industry-leading articles that people feel like sharing with others.

6.  Keep Learning

Marketing is a constantly evolving field, and you need to be able to grasp market changes to stay on top of any developments in the field. Take the time to learn about changes that will make you a more effective marketer, whether it is a changing algorithm on social media or new channels you should become efficient in using.

Showing potential employers that you have the ability to be a long-term asset will only help you stand out among a field of potential employees. Marketing is a vast field that offers numerous opportunities to grow and build a long-lasting career. These tips will make it easier for you to become more noticeable than the rest and ultimately make you a more attractive employee for companies.