How to Get Into Marketing: A Beginner’s Guide to Starting Your Career

Marketing is all about promoting products, services, or ideas to the right people. It’s how companies let customers know what they have to offer. You see marketing every day—on social media, TV ads, posters, emails, and even packaging at the store. If you enjoy creativity, problem-solving, and communication, marketing could be a great career choice.

Many people wonder how to get into marketing, especially if they don’t have a degree or experience. The good news is, there are many paths to enter the field. In this article, we’ll break it down step-by-step so you know what to expect and how to start strong.

1. Understand the Different Types of Marketing

Before jumping in, it’s important to know there are many areas within marketing. Each one uses different skills and serves different goals. Learning the differences can help you decide what direction fits your interests and strengths best.

• Digital Marketing: This is the most common form of modern marketing. It includes everything from email campaigns and paid search ads to social media and content creation.
• Content Marketing: This focuses on writing blog posts, making videos, or creating social media content that informs or entertains people.
• Social Media Marketing: This involves managing company accounts on platforms like Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and Twitter to engage with customers and promote the brand.
• SEO (Search Engine Optimization): SEO is about making websites appear higher on Google search results so more people visit them.
• Email Marketing: Involves writing and designing emails that go to customers or subscribers. This might include newsletters, promotions, or product updates.
• Product Marketing: This focuses on explaining what a product does, how it helps, and why it’s better than competitors.
• Brand Marketing: This builds awareness and loyalty for a company’s image, message, and tone of voice.

Exploring these options can help you discover which type of marketing excites you most. You might enjoy writing and decide to pursue content marketing, or you may love analyzing numbers and dive into SEO or analytics.

2. Learn the Basic Marketing Skills

You don’t need a formal education to start learning. Many marketers are self-taught. The key is to learn basic skills and get hands-on practice. Here are some skills every marketer should learn:

• Communication: Being able to explain ideas clearly in writing and speech.
• Creativity: Thinking of fresh, engaging ways to share a message.
• Data Analysis: Reading reports and tracking campaign performance using tools like Google Analytics.
• Social Media Savvy: Understanding what types of posts work well on platforms like Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn.
• Writing Skills: Marketers write ads, emails, blogs, and more.
• Graphic Tools: Tools like Canva or Adobe Spark help you create visuals even without a design background.

Start with free blogs, videos, or eBooks to learn. Try small projects on your own to practice. For example, create a mock product and try writing a short ad or designing a flyer.

3. Take Free or Low-Cost Online Courses

Online learning is one of the best ways to gain marketing knowledge at your own pace. Whether you’re just starting out or want to build on what you already know, there are countless resources available to help you grow. You don’t need a degree or a big budget to get started—just curiosity and commitment.

These courses are designed to teach real-world marketing skills, from SEO and social media to branding and analytics. Many are taught by experts and offer interactive lessons, quizzes, and certifications. You can learn from your phone, tablet, or computer—whenever and wherever it works best for you.

Top online platforms to explore:

• Google Digital Garage – Perfect for beginners who want to understand digital marketing basics like SEO, ads, and email marketing.

• HubSpot Academy – Offers free certifications in areas like inbound marketing, social media, email marketing, and content strategy.

• Coursera – Offers in-depth programs in partnership with top universities. You can audit classes for free or pay for certification.

• LinkedIn Learning – Includes both beginner and advanced lessons on topics like branding, data analytics, and campaign management.

• Udemy – Affordable and covers a wide range of marketing topics such as Facebook Ads, content creation, and copywriting.

Completing these courses can help you build confidence and give you credentials to list on your resume and LinkedIn profile. They also show employers that you’re serious about learning and growing in the marketing field.

4. Build a Simple Portfolio

A portfolio helps show what you can do, especially if you don’t yet have work experience. It gives potential employers or clients something to look at.

Ideas for portfolio projects:

• Write a blog post about a favorite brand or product.
• Create fake social media posts or an Instagram grid.
• Redesign a company’s ad or landing page as a practice project.
• Make a sample email campaign promoting a product launch.

Use free tools like Canva for visuals, Google Docs for written work, and Wix or Carrd for a basic website. Try to include a variety of examples to show your range. Even two or three polished pieces can make a big impact.

5. Get Real-World Experience (Even Without a Job)

Experience is important, but it doesn’t always have to come from a traditional job. In marketing, hands-on practice is just as valuable as formal education—sometimes even more. The good news? You don’t have to wait until someone hires you to start gaining experience. There are plenty of creative and practical ways to build your skills right now.

Whether it’s through volunteering, freelancing, or starting your own project, what matters most is taking action. These experiences not only help you learn how marketing works in the real world, but they also give you content to add to your portfolio and resume. Here’s how to get started:

Creative ways to build real marketing experience:

• Volunteer for a local business, church, or charity – Many small organizations need help with things like social media posts, email newsletters, event promotion, or website content. Offer your support for free in exchange for the chance to practice real marketing skills.

• Freelance – Set up a profile on platforms like Fiverr, Upwork, or Freelancer. Start with small, low-cost gigs if needed. You can also reach out directly to small businesses in your area and offer your services—many will appreciate the help and may be open to working with someone just starting out.

• Create a passion project – Choose a topic you love and build a blog, YouTube channel, or social media page around it. This gives you the freedom to test marketing strategies, understand audience engagement, and experiment with content creation in a space you control.

• Apply for internships – Some companies offer remote or part-time internships that allow you to learn on the job. These don’t always require experience and can teach you valuable tools like Google Analytics, email marketing platforms, or scheduling software.

No matter how you gain your experience, document everything. Take screenshots of social media posts you’ve created, track growth on a blog or Instagram page, and record metrics like engagement rates or website traffic increases. Save examples of your work in a digital portfolio or Google Drive folder. These projects prove you’ve got real-world skills and give you something to show when you start applying for jobs.

6. Apply for Entry-Level Jobs or Internships

Once you have some knowledge and examples to show, start applying for jobs. Entry-level positions often look for potential and eagerness to learn more than years of experience.

Common entry-level roles include:

• Marketing Assistant
• Social Media Coordinator
• Content Creator
• Marketing Intern
• Junior Copywriter

Customize your resume and cover letter for each job. Use clear examples of your work, including any volunteer or freelance projects. Be honest about your level, but confident in what you can bring.

Don’t be discouraged by rejections. Marketing is competitive, but persistence pays off. The more jobs you apply for and interviews you attend, the better you’ll get.

7. Network With Others in Marketing

Getting to know people in the industry can open up opportunities you might not find on job boards. In fact, many job offers and freelance gigs come through personal connections or referrals. Whether you’re just starting out or looking to grow in your career, building relationships in the marketing world is key.

Networking isn’t just about asking for favors—it’s about creating genuine connections, learning from others, and becoming part of a community. These relationships can lead to job leads, mentorship, advice, and even long-term partnerships.

How to network effectively:

• Join LinkedIn and connect with marketers – Set up a professional-looking profile and start adding marketers from your city, industry, or the companies you admire. Leave thoughtful comments on their posts, share relevant content, or send polite, personalized messages introducing yourself and expressing your interest in learning more.

• Attend local networking events or virtual meetups – Look for marketing events, workshops, or conferences in your area. If in-person isn’t possible, attend virtual webinars or Zoom meetups. These events often have open discussions where you can introduce yourself, ask questions, and make real connections.

• Join marketing groups on Facebook, Reddit, or Discord – These online communities are great places to ask for advice, share your work, or find others just starting out. People in these groups are often friendly and willing to help, especially when you show interest and participate in conversations.

• Follow marketing blogs and engage with authors – When you read a helpful post, leave a thoughtful comment or share it on social media with your own insights. You’d be surprised how often authors reply or even connect with you afterward.

When networking, focus on building real relationships. Be friendly, curious, and respectful of others’ time. Ask about their journey, share what you’re working on, and offer help when you can—whether it’s giving feedback, sharing a resource, or supporting their work. Avoid jumping straight to asking for jobs or favors. Instead, grow your network in a way that feels authentic and supportive. Over time, these connections can become some of your most valuable career resources.

8. Stay Up to Date With Trends

Marketing changes fast. New platforms, algorithms, and tools pop up often. Staying updated shows that you’re serious and ready to grow.

Ways to stay current:

• Subscribe to blogs like Neil Patel, HubSpot, or Moz.
• Listen to podcasts like “Marketing School” or “Social Media Marketing Podcast.”
• Read email newsletters with weekly tips.
• Watch YouTube channels from experienced marketers.
• Take new courses every few months.

Try new tools when they come out. For example, learn how to use TikTok for business, or try out email platforms like ConvertKit or Mailchimp. The more comfortable you are with trends, the more valuable you become.

9. Consider a Degree (Optional)

You don’t need a degree to start a career in marketing, but it can be a helpful stepping stone—especially for roles in larger companies or traditional industries. A bachelor’s degree in marketing, communications, business, or even psychology can give you a strong foundation in marketing theory, consumer behavior, branding, analytics, and strategy. These programs often include courses in market research, advertising, digital media, and economics—all useful tools in your marketing toolkit.

One of the biggest benefits of college is the networking and support system it offers. Many schools have connections with companies that offer internships, mentoring programs, and career fairs. These experiences can help you build real-world skills and make valuable industry connections before you even graduate. That said, college isn’t the only path to success.

Many marketers build great careers without a degree. Startups, small businesses, and creative fields often care more about your skills, portfolio, and ability to produce results than your academic background. If a full four-year degree isn’t realistic for you due to cost or time, consider alternatives like marketing bootcamps, online certificate programs, or associate degrees. These programs tend to be shorter, more affordable, and focused on practical, hands-on training that prepares you for real jobs. Whichever path you choose, keep learning and stay curious—that’s what really matters in the fast-moving world of marketing.

10. Set Career Goals and Keep Growing

It’s important to think long-term. As you gain more experience, you can specialize in areas like content strategy, paid ads, or marketing analytics. You might even move into leadership roles.

Examples of career goals:

• Get your first marketing job in 6 months.
• Grow your freelance client base to 5 by next year.
• Become a content manager within 3 years.

Revisit your goals often and adjust as needed. Stay curious, ask for feedback, and keep learning. Marketing is a field where growth never stops.

Final Thoughts: Getting Into Marketing Is Within Reach

If you’ve ever asked yourself how to get into marketing, the answer is simple: start where you are. Learn the basics, practice your skills, and build real experience one step at a time.

With free tools, online courses, and a little creativity, you can build a portfolio, gain confidence, and land your first job. Marketing offers endless opportunities—whether you want to run social media for a brand, write creative ads, or help businesses grow.

Take the first step today. Your future in marketing starts now.