In this beginner-friendly guide to digital media, we’re going to be exploring:

• How digital media has become an incredibly valuable medium for brands and marketers
• The most important things you need to know to use digital media for marketing effectively
• Why a digital media school is the best place to start your career

In our fast-paced, always-evolving digital world, capturing consumers’ attention is one of the biggest challenges in marketing. Competition is fierce, and consumers are smarter than ever, driving brands and businesses to find new ways to get their message out there.

Today, digital media has proven to be one of the most effective ways to connect with consumers and earn their business. People aren’t just walking into stores and casually browsing like they used to. Now, most purchases come after plenty of online research, as potential customers scroll a brand’s social media feed, check ratings and reviews, and explore the website. More than 70% of people consume between three and seven pieces of content before they ever contact a salesperson or customer service rep.

So, what does this all mean for you? If you’ve ever wondered how to get a job in digital media, now is the perfect time to join this rapidly expanding industry. Digital media is changing the way we create and consume content, and you have a chance to be at the forefront of this tech-driven revolution – all you need to do is start by learning the basics.

Digital Media: 5 Fundamentals for Using it Successfully

Even as trends shift and consumers change, there will always be a handful of foundational topics critical to understanding digital content. We’ve put together a primer on the five fundamentals of successful digital media to make it easier to familiarize yourself with the ins and outs of this dynamic topic.

1. Digital media can be found in many forms across a wide range of platforms.

In simplest terms, digital media is defined as any content that is created, consumed, delivered, and shared in a digital format. It’s a medium that offers outstanding flexibility for brands hoping to engage consumers, presenting a cost-effective and useful marketing tool.

Some examples of digital media include:

• Webpages
• Digital audio
• Videos
• PDF documents
• Electronic magazines and newspapers
• Broadcast media
• Social media

Ultimately, it’s a high-impact option for marketing to current and prospective customers. If you want to make a career out of using digital media effectively, it’s important to recognize just how versatile it can be.

2. Digital media is changing the way brands share their stories.

One of the core goals of marketing is to build relationships with consumers to establish trust and credibility. Now that brands can leverage digital media to tell their business story, they can more easily reach consumers and communicate a clear message. 

For example, a branded video campaign can present information about your products and services in an interesting, informative way. Social media posts that focus on individual team members can bring a human element to your business, and positive reviews on your website can improve your brand reputation.

Once you understand how digital media reshapes advertising and branding, you’ll be better equipped to put it to good use.

3. Digital media content must be constantly assessed to determine its success.

Launching a digital media campaign isn’t a “one and done” task. Instead, marketers use data to measure the performance of each campaign, working to pinpoint opportunities for improvement. 

There are many different tools that you can use to understand what’s working and what’s not. For example, Google Analytics is equipped with free tools that gather information about website visitor engagement, traffic, and more.

When you’re the professional responsible for creating the content, this ongoing approach to analysis enables you to learn, grow, and refine your skills every day.

4. Every piece of digital media should be relevant, interesting, and easy to understand.

Consumer expectations are high, and if they aren’t met, they’ll simply move on to the next thing that catches their attention online. So, not only does digital media need to be appropriately attention-grabbing, but it also must be able to hold a consumer’s interest and communicate a clear idea.

Imagine presenting a specific piece of content to a potential customer – would it make sense to them right away? If not, some major adjustments need to be made.

5. Form and function are both equally important.

Let’s say that you watch an interesting video you happen to see on Facebook, created by one of your favorite clothing brands. Afterward, you click through to the brand’s website to check out the new products the video is advertising – and you’re thinking about making a purchase.

Unfortunately, you’re on your smartphone, and their website isn’t mobile-friendly… so, what do you do? If you’re anything like most consumers, you don’t have the patience to attempt to use a website that’s not optimized for mobile use. Within just a few seconds, you close the website and move on to something else.

This is just one of the many examples that illustrate the necessity of form and function. No matter how great something looks, it’s useless if there are issues with how it works.

Why Digital Media Courses are Important

These days, the large majority of people interact with digital media on an everyday basis. And to many online users, it might seem easy to learn how to make digital media. However, conceptualizing, creating, and implementing content that achieves its goals is both an art and a science. 

That’s why digital media courses (and even a digital media degree or program graduation) are necessary for anyone hoping to make this their long-term career. In these specialized courses, you’ll learn core concepts such as:

• The principles of audio and video production, web development, and social media 
• Key elements of media, including color theory, sound, design, typography, lighting, and others
• How to use the software, tools, and equipment to produce digital content
• Tactics to achieve specific goals or communicate certain ideas

Where to Start with Digital Media

If you want to be a qualified candidate for an entry-level position in digital media, starting with our Digital Media Production program is a great first step. Or, if you have a specific direction you want to take your career, you might want to consider one of our other media training programs, such as:

• Audio Production
• Film & Video Production
• Media Sales & Marketing

Take the First Step Towards a Successful Digital Media Career Right Now

From helping brands build a commanding presence on their social media platforms to producing online video content, there are so many ways that digital media skills can become a part of your professional future. Digital media production offers a unique opportunity to combine creativity and innovation in the workplace, opening up an exciting world of career possibilities. 

If you’re searching for digital media courses that can help you get the experience and skillset you need to break into the industry, we can help. At the Beonair Network of Media Schools, with campuses located in Miami, Chicago, Colorado, and Ohio, you can prepare yourself to dive into a job in digital media. Our Digital Media Production program blends foundational knowledge with hands-on production experience to introduce you to the full realm of possibilities in the field. 

In just eight months, you can graduate from our Digital Media Production program and start working in the media industry – you’re already so close to building a better future. Why push pause now? Apply to enroll at one of our campuses today!

Featured Image: Gorodenkoff/Shutterstock