A digital marketing strategist plans, develops, and guides digital marketing efforts to meet specific business objectives. They create and manage data-driven strategies across digital channels like search engine optimization, social media campaigns, email marketing, and digital advertising. At their core, they act as the bridge between business goals and the marketing campaigns designed to achieve them.
At V Digital Services, our team of digital marketing professionals knows how to turn strategy into measurable business growth. With a strong understanding of SEO, content marketing, and campaign management, we develop strategies that generate leads, drive organic traffic, and deliver competitive advantage. If you’re ready to work with a successful digital marketing strategist, explore our digital marketing services or contact us today.
In this article, you’ll discover what a digital marketing strategist does, the skills and tools they use, and how they can help your business grow in today’s digital world.
What Does a Digital Marketing Strategist Do?
A digital marketing strategist is more than just a marketer; they are the architect of your online success. Unlike digital marketers who focus on executing tasks, a strategist takes a step back and looks at the bigger picture. They plan, design, and guide digital marketing efforts so every tactic connects directly to your business objectives.
The digital strategist acts as a bridge between a company’s goals and the marketing campaigns created to achieve them. For example, suppose your business wants to generate leads or drive organic traffic through search engines. In that case, a digital marketing strategist ensures that the entire digital marketing strategy—whether it’s search engine optimization, paid digital advertising, or social media campaigns—works together in harmony.
A successful digital marketing strategist is also a data-informed decision-maker. They do not guess what works. Instead, they use tools like Google Analytics, market research, and keyword research to build data-driven strategies. This enables them to quickly adjust campaigns, identify trends, and make informed decisions that maximize ROI.
Most importantly, the digital marketing strategist is a driver of business growth. They increase visibility, attract the right audience, and convert interest into revenue. As the digital world changes quickly, a strategist adapts—embracing new platforms, studying consumer behavior, and keeping businesses ahead of competitors.
What Do Digital Marketing Strategists Do?
When you break it down, a digital marketing strategist takes on a wide range of specific responsibilities that go far beyond just running ads. They begin by developing strategies tailored to a company’s marketing goals. This often includes conducting in-depth market research and competitor analysis to find a competitive edge.
From there, they create digital marketing campaigns across multiple digital channels. These include SEO, content marketing, social media campaigns, email marketing, and even digital advertising through platforms like Google Ads. Each campaign is carefully aligned with the overall digital strategy and brand strategy.
However, it’s not just about execution. Core duties defining a digital marketing strategist include monitoring campaign performance, analyzing results, and creating reports that offer clear insights. This process helps refine future campaigns and ensures a better ROI.
Collaboration is a significant part of the role. Digital marketing strategists often work with cross-functional teams that may include content creators, designers, marketing managers, and even public relations specialists. By connecting these efforts, they ensure that everything from website content to landing pages supports one cohesive strategy.
In short, campaign management, strategic planning, and continuous learning are at the heart of what a strategist does daily.
What Skills Should a Digital Marketing Strategist Have?
To succeed in such a competitive field, a digital marketing strategist needs a mix of technical knowledge, soft skills, and organizational skills. Essential skills every digital marketing strategist must have start with an analytical, data-driven mindset. This means having a strong understanding of tools like Google Analytics and the ability to interpret data into actionable insights.
They also need a solid understanding of different marketing channels, including search engine optimization, digital advertising, social media campaigns, email marketing, and content marketing. A strategist should know how to create content, optimize website content, and develop strategies that drive traffic and generate leads.
Communication and project management skills are equally important. Since many strategists work closely with cross-functional teams, they must explain complex strategies simply, manage deadlines, and keep campaigns moving forward smoothly.
Additionally, digital marketing professionals cannot afford to be static. Industry trends evolve constantly, which means continuous learning and professional certification in a related field are key to staying competitive. Many strategists start with a bachelor’s degree; others pursue a master’s for added expertise. Furthermore, practical experience and innovative ideas often matter as much as formal education in this rewarding career.
What Tools Are Used by Digital Marketing Strategists?
Behind every successful digital marketing strategist is a well-stocked toolkit. SEO tools like Ahrefs and SEMrush are used for keyword research and competitive analysis, helping strategists drive organic traffic to websites. For campaign management on digital platforms, social media scheduling tools such as Hootsuite or Buffer make running campaigns far more efficient.
Analytics platforms are equally critical. Google Analytics and Data Studio allow strategists to track performance, measure website traffic, and gain valuable business insights. For nurturing leads and running email campaigns, platforms like Mailchimp and HubSpot are industry staples.
On the organizational side, customer relationship management (CRM) software and project management tools keep campaigns organized, making it easier for strategists to collaborate with marketing managers, content teams, and other digital marketing specialists. These tools transform complex strategies into actionable steps that drive business growth.
How Can a Digital Marketing Strategist Help My Business?
The benefits of hiring a digital marketing strategist are significant. For starters, they drive targeted traffic by designing digital marketing campaigns that reach your ideal customers, not random clicks. This precision maximizes your marketing spend.
They also boost ROI by optimizing campaigns, eliminating wasted efforts, and doubling down on what works. By studying competitors through competitor analysis and market research, they help you stay ahead and build a competitive advantage.
A strategist also plays a key role in converting leads into paying customers. Through smart landing pages, tailored email marketing campaigns, and cohesive content strategy, they guide prospects from interest to purchase.
Moreover, they build a cohesive digital marketing strategy that ensures all digital channels, social media, SEO, paid ads, and content work together toward your business goals. Using data-driven strategies, they provide business insights you can act on, so you always know where your investment pays off.
Additionally, as the digital world changes, a successful digital marketing strategist adapts quickly. Whether a new social media platform, changes in search engines, or emerging consumer behaviors, they keep your brand strategy agile and your business growth on track.
How a Digital Marketing Strategist Differs From Other Roles
It’s easy to confuse a digital strategist with other roles in digital marketing, but there are important differences. A digital marketer focuses on execution, running social media campaigns, creating content, or setting up ads. A consultant may offer advice, but doesn’t always handle campaign management or strategic planning.
The digital strategist role, however, combines high-level planning with practical execution oversight. For example, if your company wants to drive traffic and generate leads, a strategist will design a plan that combines SEO, Google Ads, and content marketing. The digital marketing specialist or marketing managers then carry out those specific responsibilities.
In short, while other roles manage parts of the puzzle, the digital marketing strategist position ensures every piece fits into a larger marketing strategy that supports long-term business growth.
How to Find the Best Digital Marketing Strategist?
Start by checking their experience in a related field and reviewing case studies to see measurable results. Look for a strong understanding of search engine optimization, digital advertising, social media campaigns, and email marketing campaigns. These are the pillars of most marketing objectives.
It’s also wise to ask about their approach. A successful digital marketing strategist takes a data-driven approach, creating content with purpose. They should also demonstrate strong soft skills, like communication and collaboration, since they will work with cross-functional teams.
Do not forget to ask for references and testimonials. Past clients often provide the clearest picture of how effective and reliable a strategist is. Finally, make sure there’s a cultural fit. Your strategist should understand your brand values, advertising needs, and long-term business objectives.
Additionally, this is a competitive field, but with the right strategist by your side, you will gain a competitive edge that positions your business for real growth in the digital world.
How Much Does a Digital Marketing Strategist Cost?
The cost of hiring a digital marketing strategist depends on whether you bring one in-house or work with a digital marketing agency. In-house strategists may earn an annual salary ranging from $60,000 to over $100,000, while agencies or freelance strategists often charge anywhere from $50 to $200 per hour, depending on their experience and scope. For many businesses, partnering with digital marketing experts ensures they get tailored strategies without the overhead of a full-time hire.
Need Digital Marketing Professionals for Your Business?
A digital marketing strategist connects business objectives with actionable digital marketing strategies, using data-driven insights and innovative ideas to guide campaigns across multiple digital channels. From market research and competitor analysis to campaign management and strategic planning, their skills are essential for driving business growth in today’s digital world.
For businesses, hiring a successful digital marketing strategist means gaining a competitive edge, while for aspiring professionals, this career offers a rewarding outlook in a competitive field. Whether it’s mastering search engine optimization, running social media campaigns, or creating content strategies, the digital strategist role is more important than ever.
At V Digital Services, our digital marketing professionals specialize in building data-driven strategies that generate leads, drive organic traffic, and deliver measurable results. If you’re ready to take your brand strategy to the next level, reach out to us today or connect with our digital marketing experts to start transforming your digital presence.
FAQ
This role has become one of the most in-demand careers in digital marketing because businesses rely on strategists to connect the dots between data, creativity, and results. Below, we’ll answer some of the most common questions about becoming a successful digital marketing strategist and what it takes to thrive in this field:
How Much Do Marketing Strategists Get Paid?
Marketing strategists typically earn competitive salaries that vary by experience, location, and industry. In the U.S., they can expect anywhere from $60,000 to over $100,000 annually, with senior strategists earning more as they take on greater responsibilities.
How Do You Become a Successful Digital Marketing Strategist?
Success in this role requires a mix of technical skills, creativity, and business insight. Most strategists build expertise in areas like SEO, paid advertising, analytics, and content strategy, while staying adaptable to new marketing trends.
What Is the Salary of a Digital Strategist?
A digital strategist’s salary is often similar to that of a marketing strategist, ranging between $65,000 and $110,000 depending on skill level and the scope of their work. Specialized strategists who manage large campaigns or oversee multiple digital marketing channels may earn even higher.
What Does a Digital Marketing Strategist Do Daily?
Every day looks a little different, but common tasks include analyzing campaign performance, refining marketing strategies, managing content calendars, and aligning projects with business goals. They also spend time researching competitors and identifying new growth opportunities.
Do I Need a Degree to Become a Digital Marketing Strategist?
A degree can be helpful, but it’s not always required. Many digital marketing strategists build successful careers through certifications, hands-on experience, and a strong portfolio that demonstrates results.
How Is a Digital Marketing Strategist Different From a Social Media Manager?
A digital marketing strategist oversees the big-picture strategy across multiple digital channels, including SEO, paid ads, email, and social media. A social media manager, on the other hand, focuses specifically on managing and growing a brand’s presence on social media platforms.