How to Start an Online Marketing Business

What do Internet Marketing Specialists Do?

Internet marketing specialists help businesses promote their products and services using online marketing strategies. This can include email marketing, social media, search engine optimization (SEO), and more. The internet marketing specialist might act as a consultant, assessing the businesses' current situation, identifying strategies, setting up systems, and then turning over the actual marketing tactics to the business. Or he might be hired to implement and manage the Internet marketing plan on-going.

Internet Marketing Services

Some examples of Internet marketing services you may want to offer through your Internet marketing firm are:

What do Internet Marketing Specialists Do?

Internet Marketing Services

Some examples of Internet marketing services you may want to offer through your Internet marketing firm are:

Search engine optimization (SEO)
Email marketing
Social media marketing
Article marketing
Web content freelance writing
Pay Per Click (PPC) advertising

Pros of an Internet Marketing Services Home Business:

There are several pros to providing online marketing services, including:

You don't need a lot of money to get started.
The need for Internet marketing services continues to grow.
Income potential is strong. PayScale reports the median income for an Internet marketing specialist is $46,638. Typical Internet marketing specialists may charge anywhere from $20 to $100 per hour or more, depending on the type of services provided and your skill level. Further, some earn commissions or bonuses, particularly if marketing strategies have good results.
All work can be completed virtually, which means you can work from home or anywhere in the world.

Cons of an Internet Marketing Home Business:

Like most home business options, there are a few downsides to running an online marketing business, such as:

Finding initial clients may be a challenge, as it is with any business. You may be able to get some experience through freelancing sites, such as Upwork, however you may not earn as much through those sites. Networking and joining Internet marketing groups can help considerably.
As your business grows, demand may also create a need to hire subcontractors or employees, or train interns.
Because tools and resources come and go quickly online, you need to stay abreast of all the latest online marketing trends.

You need to be able to prove your results to clients. It isn't enough to add SEO to a clients website. You also need to track data to show that your changes are resulting in increased traffic or whatever goal you and your client have set.

What You Need to Start an Online Marketing Business:

Starting an Internet marketing business isn't hard, but it does require that you know and do a few things, including:

Have a solid understanding of and experience marketing and copywriting in general, as well as of specific online marketing tactics.
The ability to sell the importance of online marketing to potential clients.
Tools and resources to help you manage marketing strategies, such as social media scheduling.
A way to track results so you can assess how your marketing plan is working, as well as to show clients the results of your efforts.
While experience or an education isn't necessary, it can be difficult to find clients without some sort of proof that you know what you're doing.