Raksha Hegde has got a varied background mainly in developing content. She started out as a business newspaper reporter, then worked as a television news reporter/producer and subsequently, senior news editor for India’s top business news channels like CNBC-TV18 and ET NOW. After being in news industry for more than 8 years, Raksha took a break to learn Yoga and completed her Yoga teacher training to become a Yoga teacher. She then ghost-wrote a Yoga and exercise book for Deanne Pandey, one of India’s top celebrity fitness experts.
Subsequently, Raksha helped curate Yoga festivals in Mumbai and Goa for 70 EMG, an event management company. At 70 EMG, she got involved in Social Media Marketing as she provided content and eventually, started managing their Yoga Facebook page as a consultant. Raksha has her own Yoga and spiritual community Facebook page called Formless.
Which course of Digital Vidya you participated in? How did it help you acquire new skills related to digital marketing?
Raksha: I have completed my Social Media Marketing and Search Engine Marketing as part of the 3-month Certified Digital Marketing Master (CDMM) Course. It’s only been a month and I have already gathered a wealth of information on digital marketing. This varied from the very basic – how to spruce up your Linked In Profile to the complicated – how to bid competitively for Google Ads or How to best advertise on Facebook.
Why did you choose Digital Vidya’s course?
Raksha: While I was advised by a senior marketing person to do this course, I think the main reason why I chose Digital Vidya is because they practice what they preach. They truly believe in the power of digital marketing and they monitor questions on the internet posted about courses, they invite you for online orientation seminars and they really take care to listen to what your needs are.
It was an easy decision for me as soon as I heard Digital Vidya’s CEO Pradeep Chopra talk at the orientation. His passion and clarity was enough to convince me that this course was for me.
How has the course contributed in your career growth?
Raksha: I know that this course will go a long way to help me market myself as a content person who knows the inside-out of digital media. It is a win-win combination in my mind. I would like to continue as a freelancer. Eventually, I would like to help small businesses set up their own digital media platforms.
Why do you think it’s important to learn Digital Marketing today?
Raksha: There’s no doubt in my mind that this course is a much-needed one for anybody – from an entrepreneur who is looking to develop a digital media platform to a college student who is yet not sure what career to go for – to a full-fledged marketing and business professional. It’s important that we are aware of how to use the power of digital media which is touching almost each and every person in this world.
Anybody who is looking to buy and sell in today’s times needs a course in digital marketing so that they do not lose out to opportunities.
Share about the benefits you can foresee about building a career in Digital Marketing industry.
Raksha:
- Learning about digital media marketing ensures that you are at the leading edge in your company because it is a space where opportunities abound if you know how to make use of it.
- It is a wonderful course for an entrepreneur who is looking to start on a small budget and wants to be one-stop shop as a marketer and founder too.
How do you stay updated on the latest trends in Digital Marketing? Which are the Digital Marketing resources (i.e. blogs/websites/apps) you visit regularly?
Raksha: I have just started my course which are classes on the weekends. And during the week, we have to assignments as part of the course. I love that each of these assignments are hands-on and practical. Due to this, you automatically start using social media network tools like Hashtagify or Warble. I also have started visiting websites like Jonloomer.com and Lighthouse Insights to learn more about digital marketing after being introduced to them by the Digital Vidya trainers.
Which are your favorite 3 digital media channels (e.g. Twitter, Google etc) and why?
Raksha: It’s Instagram first. Then a tie between Facebook and Google. While Instagram still has to reach its potential on digital media, I love the freshness of beautiful content and simple writing on it. I also have learnt a lot on subjects that I like such as Yoga, Wellness, Advertising etc. It is less personal that Facebook.
Facebook and Google are the traditional-go-tos for digital media because of both – the reach as well as the ease of using the two platforms.
Which are your 3 favorite Digital Marketing Tools?
Raksha: Content marketing, Facebook marketing and Email marketing.
Share the names of 3 people you respect when it comes to Digital Marketing.
Raksha: I would say Pradeep Chopra, Aditya Gupta (co-founder Social Samosa), Prasant Naidu of Lighthouse Insights (because I love reading it).
What is your advice to newbies who want to build career in digital marketing?
Raksha: “Don’t be scared. Just dive into it” This would be my advice and this goes across age groups, genders, socio-economic groups. Don’t think that this is not for me – it’s only for somebody who understands technology – even if you are tech-challenged, Digital Vidya helps you to navigate through the basic as well as complicated.
What are the challenges a person is likely to face when s/he enters into digital marketing industry? How can s/he overcome those?
Raksha: I think the challenges are the same as any other sector. If you come in with pre-conceived notions and fears that you may not be good enough like the others, then you are bound to fail. Be open, be willing to learn and most importantly, remain a student for life because the pace of change is very quick in digital marketing. If you have your basics right – that is to deliver a great product to the consumer – you will be fine.
For someone who’s looking at full time or part time job or an internship in digital marketing, what approach would you advice?
Raksha: Do your assignments, keep abreast of the latest developments, get your hands messy by actually setting up a Facebook page, Twitter account or a blog. Make mistakes on your own pages and ask for help from the experts. It’s the best learning ground. That way, you are much more confident when you get interviewed for a job or internship.
Digital media especially Social media channels such as Facebook can eat up a lot of your productive time if not used wisely. Do you agree? What all can one do to efficiently leverage these channels for personal growth?
Raksha: I have been introduced to tools like Hootsuite by Digital Vidya. These social media management tools definitely help you schedule your work and use time effectively.
If you were given a chance to rebuild your career, what changes you would have made to have even better growth and fulfillment?
Raksha: None really. It’s been an upward learning curve all the way.
How do you see Digital Media evolving in future?
Raksha: It will be taught in schools and colleges as a subject. There’s no doubt about that. Right now, we are trying to tell children to stay off it. But they need to learn the basics in a simple, safe environment because it is the way we will be communicating with each other in the future.
Would you like to share few words about the work we are doing at Digital Vidya in educating others about Digital Marketing?
Raksha:
Digital Vidya has been thoroughly professional as well as personal in educating people about marketing. Digital Marketing is only going to grow as an industry and it is encouraging to see the investment made to share knowledge and educate people with the latest trends in the industry. From the caliber of the trainers, to the professionalism of the project coordinators to taking care of the technical part of an online course seamlessly – everything has been top-notch. Thank you Digital Vidya.
Are you inspired by the opportunity of Digital Marketing? Start your journey by attending our upcoming orientation session on Digital Marketing for Career & Business Growth. It’s online and Free :).
