Qualifications for online marketing

[Chatmaster]

Currently there is a very interesting thread over at SEW about qualifications in online marketing. Now you all know my views about online marketing management (http://www.digital-m.co.za/articles/online-marketing-management.html) :-D But I would like to discuss how to advertise for the position of an online marketing manager or online marketing in general and perhaps get different views on the importance of a degree. IMO the majority of SEO's do not have degrees and are self taught online marketers, but there seems to be a trade off to be made when appointing such a person or advertising for the job vacancy. For one I will NOT apply for the position of online marketing manager in South Africa purely because the employment agencies will always require a "relevant degree".

As far as I am aware online marketing is not a subject taught in any university and because it moves, changes and evolves so fast it is a very difficult subject to compile a curriculum on. I also feel that to a large degree qualifications has very little to do with the success of any online marketing manager, but rather with the personality profile of the person. Experience off course is a requirement as some degree of technical expertise is required but what I find interesting is the requirement of a 4 year degree. This is an international trend and not only applicable to South Africa.

Any views on this?

[Paz]

I agree that there can't be a formal online marketing degree course at this time, but I can imagine that there might be a course on it for people studying Sales and Marketing some time soon.

Most people I know of are self-taught. They're usually either web developers working in a company, small businesses with an online catalogue, and people with PPC and affiliate esperience. Most learn from search engine marketing forums like this one, for example, but like us, most have learnt by their mistakes unfortunately... :-?

I don't think you should need a marketing degree either, but you need a certain amount of discipline, analytical training and self-criticism, which might come with experience, but these are qualities seen in graduates with the exception of a few people I know of Chatmaster!

Of course if you have an online marketing portfolio, not many will care if you have an online marketing degree or not, though I doubt you'd be able to start your first job as a manager! I'd skip the employment agencies and approach firms directly...

[daniel]

I fully agree with both of you,

Chatmaster, i think you know who i am talking about when i say there is a company offering a SEO " degree". What rubbish !!!

As you say the course will last a week and the the material would have to change. Who knows, maybe google will start a course for SEO, called " beat the big G the white hat way", he he

Just from my experience, i would never look at a cv when hiring an SEO. The first question i ask is what keywords have they had success on. I have chatted to a few chancers saying they have 5 solid years of seo experience and when i ask what markets and terms they optimize for, they say they have reached number 6 in Google for the keyword " travel to London on a budget".

I prefer to chat to possible new team members by getting online with them and asking them for some running commentary on some of their work and results. In the first 5 minutes, you get a good idea of level of experience etc.

To Summarize, i would advertise for a individual who has a passion for the internet, extensive knowledge of online marketing and has achieved results.
Jump onto the internet during the interviews and let them talk you though some of their work, methods, results, backlinks, anchor text, and make sure you keep asking the big question "WHY have you done this

Anyway, chatmaster great article once again,

Daniel

[Chatmaster]

Chatmaster, i think you know who i am talking about when i say there is a company offering a SEO " degree". What rubbish !!!

I do know. IMO it is purely business to him. Getting as many people as possible to pay you for an association with you in order to earn respect in the community, what a load of bull :mad:

Anyway, chatmaster great article once again,

Thanks Daniel!

[Koz]

For one I will NOT apply for the position of online marketing manager in South Africa purely because the employment agencies will always require a "relevant degree".
I used to work in the IT recruitment industry and belive me, they say "relevant degree" because they (the recruiters) usualy have no clue about their clients industry. For an "online marketing manager" they would look for someone with a advertising or marketing degree even if they have no clue about the internet.

Personaly I'd vouch for WebCEO's online course. It is only a certificate but have a look at the subjects it covers: http://uni.webceo.com/certified.php?id=46731256 (thats my certificate). And you need to renew the certificate every year, so I'd assume they update the course every year, so it doesn't get too out dated.

Plus I like that they don't drum in their own agenda in the course (as some companies do), but they do show you at the end of each lesson how to use WebCEO for each of those subjects.

[Chatmaster]

The lady I use does the basics of personality profiling people before they come in for an interview with me. So far she has done a stuning job as she accepts the fact that I do not look at qualifications when I interview people. Although I must add, that many I have employed thus far had relevant degrees.

[Doubi]

Having a course for online marketing is just a nother why for someone to make a quick buck. I will never fall for that trick. why do a course when you have the best resouces availible to you online. I am self thaught and all because i have a passion for all forms of marketing and others that share the same passion are more than willing to give a hand...

so i agree with you daniel and chatmaster

[Koz]

I agree with them too, passion for the industry and your job is key. But unfortunatly if you haven't made a big name for youself, its hard to get credibilaty with out a qualification.