Starting a digital marketing career without any experience, education, or skills? Sounds like trying to fight a Jedi without a lightsaber. Or like fighting Voldemort (*gasp*) without a wand.

You know the drill. Endlessly scrolling through job listings. Feeling like you're stuck in a never-ending loop because every "entry-level" role demands years of experience you simply don’t have.

It’s easy to get discouraged, wondering how in the world you’re supposed to break into this field if nobody will give you a chance. It's the good ol' catch-22.

And it gets even worse. You might start second-guessing yourself, wondering if digital marketing is just not your thing after all.

The longer you wait, the more those opportunities seem to slip through your fingers. The dream of a high-paying, fulfilling career in digital marketing starts to look more like a fantasy.

But what if I told you there’s a way to get your foot in the door without a mountain of experience or education? What if you could build the skills, confidence, and portfolio needed to land that first role?

Let’s dive into how you can make that happen.

There are 7 essential steps to starting your digital marketing career with zero experience.

Breaking into digital marketing might seem like trying to solve a Rubik’s Cube blindfolded.

Especially if you’re starting from scratch.

But here’s the silver lining: you don’t need a fancy degree or years of experience to kick off your career.

You just need a solid system.

Let’s walk through the 7 essential steps to get you on the path to a high-income digital marketing career, even if you’re starting from ground zero.

1. Learn paid media fundamentals: Build simple Google Search campaigns

First things first, choose one skill to learn and specialise in. I did this with paid media, and that's what I recommend you do too.

Why one skill, and why paid media? Well, many reasons:

• Employers look for specialists, not generalists.
• Focusing on one skill makes it easier and quicker to land a job.
• You can learn the fundamentals of paid media platforms with 30 days of focus.
• It's easy to show off paid media knowledge through a simple portfolio of draft campaigns.
• Demand for media buyers outweighs the supply; employers are desperate for paid media specialists.
• Low competition in the job market due to a slightly higher barrier to entry (because everyone thinks paid media is complicated).
• Paid media is high-paying and in demand due to its speed, effectiveness, and scalability.

That's just a quick summary. If you want a deeper dive into why you should specialise in paid media, I wrote a whole article. You can read it here.

Anyway.

Get comfy with the basics of Google Search Ads and Facebook Ads (now known as Meta Ads). These platforms are the bread and butter of paid media and digital marketing in general.

Mastering them will make you stand out from the crowd of other applicants and digital marketing newbies.

Don’t stress about being a master right out of the gate. The goal here is to get familiar with how these platforms work.

Once you know how to create and manage ad campaigns, you'll be a step ahead of other entry-level candidates. You’ll be ready to handle real ad accounts and budgets.

Start by watching a YouTube tutorial on how Google Ads work and how to build a simple Google Ads Search campaign. Go through:

• Google Ads auction
• Account hierarchy
• Keywords and keyword research
• Negative keywords
• Match types
• Ad groups
• Ad and asset creation
• Campaign settings
• Platform navigation

Set aside a few 30-minute blocks this week to watch a few tutorials on Google Ads fundamentals and Search campaigns.

2. Build a portfolio by documenting your learnings and campaign drafts

Once you've done the first step, you're ready to create some campaigns for a brand or product you love:

• Create a Google Ads account. (It's free.)
• Do a bit of keyword research with Google’s Keyword Planner. Copy all your keywords onto a fresh Google Sheet.
• Separate your keywords into themes. These will make up your ad groups.
• Add some negative keywords.
• Write some compelling ad copy. The standard for Google Ads is 15 headlines (30 characters) and 4 descriptions (90 characters).
• Then build the campaign on the platform using your keywords, ad groups, and ad copy.

Do this as many times as you want until you feel confident with the platform.

For bonus brownie points, repeat the process for Facebook Ads. This ad platform is much easier as there are no keywords or keyword grouping you have to worry about.

It's simply:

1. Campaign (where you configure the settings and budget).
2. Ad set (where you add your target audiences).
3. Ad (where you add your creatives and ad copy).

As you learn, build, and tinker with campaigns, start documenting everything. This includes:

• Drafts of your campaigns.
• Notes on what you’ve learned.
• Screenshots of your ad accounts.
• Brief explanations of your thought process behind each choice.

If you wanna go the extra mile, build out some fancy-looking ads for Facebook using a tool like Canva.

This way, when you’re in an interview, you can walk the employers through your portfolio and show off your understanding of the platforms.

And boom. You've just begun your portfolio. Simply by planning and building some campaigns on Google and Facebook Ads.

This is an ideal way to showcase your skills, even if you haven’t run live campaigns before.

Why is this so important?

Your portfolio is like your personal show-and-tell. Employers want to see proof of your skills and capabilities, not just hear about them.

A well-documented portfolio demonstrates that you’re serious about your career and have put in the effort to learn the basics.

And most importantly:

It allows you to bypass the "experience" barrier.

So spend 60-90 minutes this week getting familiar with the ad platforms and building 1 campaign on each.

Then create a folder on your computer or Google Drive. Start saving your campaign drafts, screenshots, and notes. Spend 10 minutes after each learning session updating your portfolio.

3. Tailor your CV and LinkedIn profile to paid media roles

Your CV and LinkedIn profile are usually the first impressions you make.

They give you the chance to show that you’ve been actively learning and applying paid media concepts.

Many candidates only have theoretical knowledge. You, my friend, now have practical knowledge.

So you can easily stand out.

Now that you’ve got some hands-on skills, it’s time to jazz up your CV and LinkedIn profile.

On your CV, focus on the skills you’ve picked up through your learning and how they apply to a paid media role, like:

• Google Ads navigation proficiency
• Meta Ads navigation proficiency
• Campaign planning and budgeting
• Audience planning and research
• Funnel stages
• Sophistication levels
• Keyword research
• Creative research
• Ad group structuring
• Ad copywriting
• Ad creation
• Etc.

Highlight any relevant experience and transferable skills. Even if they're not directly related to paid media.

Let’s say you worked in customer service and sales at a retail store before.

Highlight how your customer communication skills can help you create ad copy that resonates with people.

On LinkedIn, start by getting a clear and high-quality profile picture. You may already have one from a previous role—perfect.

If you don't, there are plenty of AI tools that can turn a casual picture of you into a professional-looking headshot.

Update your headline to something like:

“Aspiring Paid Media Specialist | Specialising in Google Search & Meta Ads”

Go through LinkedIn's education and experience sections, and fill them out accordingly. Feel free to copy over things from your CV.

And don't forget - we live in the age of AI. So if you want, get ChatGPT to draft you a paid media-focused CV and cover letter. Just so you're not staring at a blank screen.

From there, you can tailor and adjust based on the role and company you're applying for.

Other tools you can use to craft not only a technically-sound CV, but an aesthetic one, include:

• ​Novoresume​
• ​Resume.io​
• ​ResyBuild.io​

Spend 60 minutes this week reviewing your LinkedIn profile, and another 60 crafting your CV.

4. Apply for entry-level paid media roles on job boards

With your portfolio, CV, and LinkedIn profile in top shape, it’s time to dive into job applications.

It goes without saying that you should focus on paid media roles since they align directly with the skills you’ve been developing.

Use job boards like:

• LinkedIn
• Indeed
• Reed
• Totaljobs

To find opportunities that fit your experience level.

Even if you don’t feel 100% ready, applying for jobs is crucial. Each application helps you refine your approach, and every interview is a chance to learn.

Also, many employers value candidates who show initiative and a desire to learn. And your portfolio shows these qualities perfectly.

And don't forget. A job listing is often a wish list. It's the absolute ideal applicant. But employers very often interview and hire people who don't meet every single requirement. More often than not, actually.

So take your chances. Even if you think you won't get a reply. You may be pleasantly surprised.

Set a goal to apply for at least five jobs this week. For each application, tailor your CV and cover letter to the specific role, emphasising your newly acquired skills.

And once again, don't forget - use ChatGPT for help.

Now. Whilst job applications are great, the real sauce is in the next step...

5. Reach out to agencies you’d like to work for

Don’t just rely on job boards. Identify companies and agencies you'd love to work for, and reach out directly.

Even if they're not hiring.

Whether it’s through a:

• Personalised and well-thought-out LinkedIn message
• Personalised and well-thought-out email
• Casual phone call

Showing genuine interest can make you stand out from other candidates who are only applying through traditional channels.

Agencies love proactive candidates.

By reaching out directly, you’re showing that you’re not just looking for any job—you’re specifically interested in what that agency does.

This proactive approach can lead to opportunities that aren’t even advertised.

Suppose you find an agency that specialises in paid media for e-commerce brands. Send a personalised message to the hiring manager. Explain why you’re drawn to their work and how you'd love to develop your skills and career with them. Mention your portfolio and offer to discuss it further.

So where do you find these agencies? Google Maps and LinkedIn.

1. Simply type in ‘marketing agencies near me’ in the search function on Google Maps, and 'marketing agencies' on LinkedIn. Make sure to put your city or area as a location filter on LinkedIn.
2. Go through each company and note down the company's:
   • Name
   • Email address
   • Phone number
   • Names of People/HR/Recruitment Managers + Founders
3. Then, use a tool like Mailscoop.io to find the above people's personal emails.

Identify 15-30 agencies you’d love to work for and 1-2 decision-makers for each. Spend 15 minutes crafting an outreach email/message. Then spend 5 minutes personalising the message for each agency. Reference something specific about their work that caught your eye.

6. Show your portfolio and ad accounts in interviews

This is where all your work starts to come into play.

When you land an interview, don’t just talk about what you’ve learned—show it off. Bring your portfolio and walk the interviewer through your:

• Google Ads accounts.
• Campaign drafts and plans.
• Your thought process behind them.

If asked about your experience with Facebook Ads, don't describe it. Pull up your ad account and walk the interviewer through a campaign you’ve built. Explain your choices for targeting, ad copy, and budget allocation.

This not only showcases your skills but also proves you’re proactive and serious about your career and the paid media field.

Many entry-level candidates rely solely on their CV and cover letter. By bringing a portfolio, you’re giving employers concrete proof of your abilities.

This can be a game-changer, especially for a competitive position.

Spend 20 minutes organising your portfolio into a presentation format before your interviews.

Practice walking through your campaigns so you’re ready to showcase and talk about them.

7. Accept an offer from an agency that takes care of its people

Once offers start rolling in (which they will if you follow the above steps) it might be tempting to grab the first one that comes your way.

But it’s important to consider the company culture and how they treat their employees.

Look for an agency that:

• Values growth and learning.
• Offers lots of support.
• Creates a positive work environment.

Your first job in digital marketing and paid media can set the stage for your career. An agency that invests in its people can provide the mentorship and growth you need to succeed. Plus, a supportive work environment is crucial for long-term job satisfaction.

Imagine you get two offers:

• One from a big-name agency known for its high-pressure environment.
• Another from a smaller agency that emphasises work-life balance and employee growth,

The latter might offer you a better foundation for your career—even if the brand name of the first one is more glamorous.

Create a list of questions to ask during the final stages of interviews to gauge the company culture.

For example, ask about their approach to:

• Work-life balance.
• Opportunities for professional development.
• How they support their employees’ well-being.

And Bob's your uncle. You have successfully secured your first digital marketing role in the lucrative field of paid media.

Starting a digital marketing career with no experience might seem like climbing Everest without any gear. But by following these steps, you’ll be on your way to landing a high-income role in no time.

Focus on:

• Building practical skills.
• Showcasing your work.
• Being proactive in your job search.

Like anything worth doing in life, the journey might have its challenges. But remember to enjoy the journey. With persistence and the right strategy, you can absolutely achieve your goals. And it might be much easier than you think.

Ready to take the plunge? Start by learning the basics of Google and Facebook Ads today. And within a few weeks, you’ll be well on your way to a rewarding career in digital marketing.