The Catch-22 Of Entry Level Marketing Jobs

I'm 18 years old. Trying to become a digital marketer at an agency or in-house team.

I've completed an online certification to show I know the theory.

And, I'm applying to jobs. It's seems I'm met with the same rejection:

"We're looking for someone with more experience."

Fair enough! I don't know whether or not I'd hire an 18 year old as a digital marketer as well.

(I'll let you know once I start hiring people)

For context, my name is Denzil Duke. I have been doing content marketing for my personal brand: videos on YouTube, articles on my website and now short form on Instagram.

I have two active freelance clients that I do digital marketing for. A golf coach and physiotherapist. I have created websites, run Google Ads and currently learning video editing in Premiere Pro.

So, here's my strategy that I'm applying TODAY to get a digital marketing job and break into the industry.

Start Freelancing...

I was messaging someone on LinkedIn asking how she got into the industry and her role as digital account manager.

Crazy enough, she started out in freelancing.

This is the most important thing she said about freelancing:

"You learn a lot [because] you essentially learn as you go."

And if you like me, who f*cking hates the idea of going to university for three years for a marketing degree:

Freelance is the best opportunity vehicle to learn marketing.

Because, you know who is the best business teacher?

The market.

Getting Around Not Having Experience

"I need experience to get a job. But, I need a job to get experience."

What if we can played a different game?

What if there was an opportunity that does not require the permission of an employer? And, can still show experience?

That's what I propose about freelancing.

You do not have to deny YOURSELF permission to get marketing experience because YOU are self-employed.

Much riskier, is it not?

The wins and losses from your marketing rest on your shoulders, yes.

But, what other employer will take on the risk of transferring those losses and gains onto their business?

Again, not necessarily a bad thing.

From your freelancing projects:

You make money, or gain experience.

There is no such thing as loss. Only learning.

3 Most Important Skills You'll Learn Freelancing

#1 Outreach

• Learning how to reach out to businesses and communicate your offer over email, text, video, cold-call or paid ads
• Overcoming the fear of rejection and improving the ability to connect with potential clients

#2 Managing Client Relationships

• Gaining practical experience managing client relationships
• Developing communication skills and understanding clients' needs

#3 Service Delivery

• Applying theoretical marketing knowledge to real business projects
• Learning to drive marketing results for clients

How Do I Start?

To summarise:

• Employers do not want to hire you because your inexperience is a risk to the business's performance
• Start freelancing to get around the Catch-22 of entry level marketing jobs
• The market is your best teacher
• You'll learn 3 important skills in freelancing: outreach, managing clients and service delivery

I recommend getting Alex Hormozi's book $100M Leads and get started there.

Also, document the marketing lessons you learn along the way and building your personal brand. That way, you can still practise your marketing even without clients.