The global pandemic and economic downturn taught many of us the importance of financial security and independence. As the labor market continues to undergo transformation, remote work is the new normal for employees across the world. If you are searching for ways to strengthen your resume and stand out from other applicants, consider developing high-demand marketing skills. Not only will this help you earn more money, it will increase your fluency in this evolving virtual world. 

Having a set of hard skills is essential for your professional development, as you can use them across many situations and fields. Some skills may have a steeper learning curve, but the time and effort you invest is well worth it. Whether you are job hunting, looking to diversify your income stream with a side hustle, or simply browsing, the hard skills listed below will enhance your value whether you are working work from home or the office.

1. Social Media Account Management

Social media account management is vital for businesses who want to grow their consumer base, obtain feedback, and stay up to date on current trends. According to Statista, there are approximately 4.2 billion active social media users as of 2021. Tap into this diverse network of users, and social media account managers have the potential to influence millions, if not billions of people.

However, it is harder than you may think to manage a business or nonprofit account on platforms like Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. You need strategic planning, creativity, strong content curation, and relevancy to be successful. By developing management skills specific to each platform, and learning about the audience you are targeting, you will become much more valuable to any organization. These skill will allow you to accomplish marketing goals for yourself as well as your employer.

Check out the following resources to improve your social media account management skills:

• Learn Social Media Management with Anke Audenaert on Coursera
• Take Social Media Foundations on SkillUp
• Understand Social Media Marketing Trends with Brian Honigman on LinkedIn Learning

2. Ad Management

The average American sees between 4,000 and 10,000 advertisements in a single day. Ad management is crucial if you want to stand out from the endless stream of marketing attempts in user’s feeds. Whether you are using Facebook, LinkedIn, Google Ad, or Instagram to reach potential clients, developing strong ads that lead to actual results is an asset to any business or nonprofit. 

In addition, skills in ad management will provide you new insights into the advertisements you see on a daily basis. The knowledge and experience you gain may strengthen your critical skills. These are more important than ever before, as you navigate the web in this age of (mis)information. 

Click on the links below to learn more about ad management:

• Get Started with Ads Manager on Facebook Blueprint
• LinkedIn Resource Center offers comprehensive guides for LinkedIn Ads
• Drive Advertising Revenue with Google Ad Manager on Skillshop

3. Search Engine Optimization (SEO)

Search engine optimization (SEO) is essential for online marketing. Successful SEO implementation can increase online traffic to your website consistently at no cost. This is done through the careful production and organization of web content. In addition, SEO is a component of search engine marketing (SEM); which is a technique that also employs pay-per-click (PPC) advertising to improve search engine visibility. 

Whether you are a small business owner, freelancer, or student, SEO is a valuable tool. Good SEO supports website development and amplifies of your online presence. If you are looking for a side hustle, there are many opportunities to make money for SEO-related work on platforms such as Upwork or Freelancer.

Check out the following resources if you are interested in learning more:

• SEO Foundations with David Booth on LinkedIn Learning
• SEO Training Course by Moz
• Optimizing a Website for Google Search with Rebekah May on Coursera
• Free SEO Tools (keyword research, link building, and ranking insights) by Ahrefs 

4. Copywriting

Copywriting is a skill used to market content, products, and services both on and offline. This specific form of promotional writing is often referred to as “copy” and encourages action from consumers.

Typical “Call to Actions”, or CTA’s, include :

• Making a purchase
• Donating to a charity campaign
• Following social media accounts
• Clicking on a link

There are many different kinds of copy, from social media to technical copywriting. This is a valuable skill to learn for professionals in business, social media management, and marketing, among other fields. Like with SEO, freelancers can enhance their skill set with copywriting and appeal to a broader client base.

Look no further for beginner courses and free resources to start your copywriting journey:

• The Strategy of Content Marketing with Sonia Simone on Coursera
• Learning to Write Marketing Copy with Ian Lurie on LinkedIn Learning
• Ink and KWFinder offer free tools to support with copywriting
• The Boron Letters by Gary Halbert offer additional insight into successful copywriting

5. Content Management Systems (CMS)

Finally, a content management system is a program used for the creation and management of digital content. WordPress, Joomla, and Drupal are examples of CMS’s that facilitate a user-friendly content management experience. Familiarity with these tools is critical if you want to create a successful blog or professional website. 

WordPress is the most popular CMS, and proficiency with this platform is crucial for bloggers and website content managers. In combination with SEO, CMS is a powerful tool that can significantly improve your digital presence.

The following resources can help you learn WordPress CMS:

• Advanced Layouts with the Block Editor with Mel Choyce-Dwan
• Build a Full Website Using WordPress by Coursera
• Building a Small Business Website with WordPress with Carrie Dils on LinkedIn Learning

Bottom Line

Add one of these hard skills to your marketing toolkit as soon as you can. Because every business needs marketing, these are versatile skills that can be applied to any business. With these hard skills, you will become more valuable to an organization, which means you can demand more money for your work. In addition, you will be better prepared to navigate and manage the sea of information available to you.

Learning a new skill may seem daunting at first, but rest assured it is worth it. Every new hard skill you learn will contribute to your professional and personal development. Invest in your future self now to reap the long-term rewards of your hard work. The online community is a rich source of knowledge and data at your fingertips. Make it work for you!