What is an online marketer?
The digital marketing professional is a specialist who helps organizations strengthen their online presence and develop and execute digital marketing strategies. This expert masters various digital channels and techniques to effectively reach target audiences, create engagement and drive conversions in the ever-changing online world.
The online marketer plays a crucial role in modern business. This specialist focuses on developing, implementing and analyzing marketing strategies in the digital environment. The core of this position revolves around creating online visibility for brands, products and services.
The digital marketer works with various online channels such as search engines, social media, email and content platforms. The goal is to get the right message to the right target audience through the most effective digital channels. This requires a combination of strategic insight, creativity and analytical ability.
In today’s digital landscape, this role is more important than ever. With the increasing digitization of consumer behavior and business processes, digital marketers are an indispensable link between companies and their online audiences. They help organizations stay relevant in a world where online visibility often makes the difference between success and failure.
What skills does an online marketer need?
An effective digital marketing specialist possesses a diverse set of skills. This combination of technical knowledge and soft skills makes it possible to develop and execute complex digital strategies.
In the area of technical skills, these competencies are essential:
- SEO expertise: knowledge of search engine optimization to improve findability in Google
- Content marketing: creating and distributing valuable, relevant content
- Data analysis: interpreting data from tools such as Google Analytics
- Social media marketing: Strategic use of social platforms for brand awareness and engagement
- Email marketing: Setting up and optimizing effective email campaigns
- Paid advertising: knowledge of paid advertising platforms such as Google Ads and social media advertising
In addition to these technical skills, these soft skills are also important:
- Adaptive capability: The digital world is changing rapidly, so flexibility is crucial
- Strategic thinking: ability to develop long-term plans that support business goals
- Creativity: coming up with innovative content and campaigns that stand out
- Communication skill: Be able to communicate clearly with colleagues, clients and target audiences
- Project management: efficiently managing complex marketing campaigns
Continually keeping up with the latest digital trends and platform updates is also a must. The digital world is constantly evolving, which means these professionals must constantly refresh their knowledge to remain effective.
What is the difference between an online marketer and a traditional marketer?
Although both roles fall under the marketing umbrella, there are distinct differences in focus, channels and practices between digital and traditional marketing professionals.
| Aspect | Digital marketer | Traditional marketer |
|---|---|---|
| Channels used. | Websites, social media, search engines, email, apps | Print, radio, television, direct mail, billboards |
| Measurability | Highly detailed real-time data and analytics | Limited measurement capabilities, often sample-based |
| Customizability | Campaigns can be quickly adapted and optimized | Adjustments take more time and resources |
| Targetting | Very specific target group segmentation possible | Wider target group approach |
The digital specialist typically works with shorter feedback cycles and can continuously optimize campaigns based on data. Traditional marketing professionals tend to have more experience with longer campaign cycles that are less flexible after launch.
In practice, however, these roles are increasingly complementary. The most effective marketing strategies integrate both digital and traditional elements for an omnichannel approach. Modern marketers therefore often develop expertise in both areas, specializing in specific aspects of the marketing profession.
How much does an online marketer earn on average?
The salary level of digital marketing professionals in the Netherlands varies depending on various factors such as experience, specialization, company size and location. In general, these specialists can count on a competitive salary that reflects their expertise and value to organizations.
Beginning professionals with 0-2 years of experience earn on average between €2,400 and €3,000 gross per month. With 3-5 years of experience, this often rises to €3,000 to €4,000 per month. Senior specialists with more than 5 years of experience can expect salaries between €4,000 and €6,000 per month, while executive positions such as Digital Marketing Manager can even exceed €6,000.
In addition to experience, these factors affect salary levels:
- Specialization: Specific expertise in SEA or data analytics, for example, can lead to higher fees
- Company size: Larger organizations tend to offer higher salaries than startups or smaller companies
- Industry: Sectors such as technology and finance generally pay better than nonprofit or education
- Region: Positions in the Randstad yield on average 10-15% more than similar positions in other regions
Freelance digital marketing specialists typically charge hourly rates between €50 and €125, depending on their specialty and experience. However, these self-employed individuals must take into account additional costs such as insurance and pension accrual.
Key insights about the role of online marketer
The digital marketing professional performs a multifaceted and increasingly important function in today’s business world. Let’s summarize the main points of this article:
- The role combines strategic thinking, creativity and analytical skills
- A successful digital marketer masters various technical skills such as SEO, content marketing and data analysis
- Soft skills such as adaptive ability and good communication are at least as important as technical knowledge
- The difference with traditional marketing lies mainly in the channels used, measurability and speed of optimization
- Salaries range from €2,400 to €6,000+ depending on experience and specialization
For professionals considering a career in digital marketing, it is important to invest in both broad knowledge of the field and specialized expertise in specific disciplines. Continually keeping up with the latest developments and trends is essential in this dynamic field.
At WerfSelect, we see the growing demand for talented digital marketing professionals on a daily basis. We help organizations find their ideal candidate and guide professionals to the next step in their careers. Are you interested in a role within digital marketing or are you an employer looking for permanent top talent? We are happy to think with you about the opportunities that fit your specific situation and ambitions.
For those looking for new challenges, today’s job market offers plenty of opportunities. Check out our job postings for the latest opportunities in the digital marketing field. With the right skills and experience, you can count on a variety of opportunities at leading organizations as a digital marketing specialist.
