DIGITAL MARKETING APPRENTICESHIPS: A COST-EFFECTIVE BUSINESS STRATEGY

Keeping up with the demands of digital marketing can feel like an uphill battle when you’re running a small business or start-up. It’s easy to soon become overwhelmed when you’re faced with sending e-shots, researching keywords, creating and posting content, running ad campaigns, tracking analytics, keeping your website updated, and briefing designers, and sometimes all in one day!

Digital marketing isn’t just a “nice to have”—it’s necessary for growth, visibility and survival! However, getting an expensive agency onboard or spending countless hours learning everything yourself (and keeping up with rapid change) may not be a practical solution. The good news? There’s an answer that brings these skills in-house effectively and affordably—by hiring a digital marketing apprentice.

Develop in-house expertise

A digital marketing apprentice is your chance to bring up-to-date digital marketing skills into your business. If you’re looking to boost your online presence, streamline campaigns, or benefit from the latest tools like AI-driven insights, an apprentice adds expertise without the hefty price tag of external agencies. Plus, you directly shape their development to focus on your specific business needs.

There are two apprenticeship routes to consider when developing your in-house digital marketing capabilities:

1. Content Creator Apprenticeship

Content is paramount in today’s marketing landscape. Any business that’s going to succeed needs to produce engaging, creative content consistently, which is very time-consuming. Here’s where a content creator apprentice comes in to provide the storytelling edge your business may be missing. With skilful guidance, they’ll develop and deliver content across written, visual, and audio formats that reflect your brand authentically.

Here’s what a content creator apprentice can do for your business:

• Research and develop creative solutions aligned with your company’s goals. 
• Create, edit, and manage compelling written and visual content for various platforms.
• Use tools like Adobe InDesign, professional video equipment, and CMS systems. 
• Monitor content performance and refine future efforts based on analytics. 
• Adapt content to resonate with your audiences on different platforms.

With a typical duration of 15 months and government funding of up to £10,000 available for their training, this is an attractive way to add expertise and creativity to your team.

2. Multi-Channel Marketer Apprenticeship

As an alternative, a multi-channel marketer apprentice is the perfect fit for businesses that want to stay ahead with targeted, data-driven strategies across platforms. These apprentices are trained to plan, execute, and optimise campaigns that span digital and offline channels, helping your business to retain customers and attract new ones.

Here’s how they can help:

• Build and implement targeted campaigns across multiple channels (social media, email, ads, and more). 
• Leverage data and analytics tools like Google Analytics to refine strategies and improve results. 
• Craft persuasive marketing copy and ensure your branding is consistent. 
• Conduct campaign reviews to measure effectiveness and identify improvement areas. 
• Use AI and tech tools to create innovative, engaging marketing content that keeps your business competitive.

This apprenticeship typically lasts 18 months, with government funding support of up to £11,000. 

The benefits of apprenticeships

Apart from the obvious benefit of growing in-house digital marketing expertise, here are some of the other benefits of using apprenticeships in your organisation:

1. Improved Productivity

76% of employers report increased productivity from apprenticeship programmes. Apprentices enhance efficiency by taking marketing tasks off your plate while bringing new eyes and fresh energy to your processes.

2. Cost Savings

Hiring an apprentice is far more affordable than outsourcing to digital agencies or hiring full-time senior experts. 

3. Government Funding

The apprenticeship levy or government funding covers training costs, requiring little or no financial investment.

4. Up-to-Date Skills

Apprentices contribute cutting-edge skills, including knowledge of AI, multi-channel strategies, and emerging technologies. They can continue their training onto higher level marketing-focussed apprenticeships.

5. On-the-Job Training

Apprentices learn as they work, creating outputs that immediately benefit your business while growing their skill set in real time. 

6. Fresh Ideas

Younger talent tends to bring innovative ideas and perspectives that invigorate your team and shake up established methods for the better.

7. Improved Retention

Generally, adopting apprenticeships in your organisation will foster loyalty. 75% of businesses report improved staff morale and retention rates.

8. Build a Learning Culture

Apprenticeships are a way of embedding a workplace culture focused on development, creativity, and innovation that benefits everyone.

Hire a digital marketing apprentice.

The digital marketing landscape is constantly evolving. Staying competitive means bringing in the right expertise, and apprenticeships are a cost-effective, impactful way to do just that. Investing in an apprentice gives you access to industry-leading skills while fully integrating your marketing efforts into your business operations.

Take your next step toward a stronger, more innovative marketing strategy and consider creating a position for a digital marketing apprentice. At BeMore, we can help you advertise your vacancy to local applicants and put you in touch with local skills providers offering digital marketing apprenticeships. Reach out to our employer support brokerage team today.