Subhashini Barthwal is originally from Uttrakhand but was born & brought up in Bikaner, Rajasthan. She has done her Engineering in Computer Science from Marudhar Engineering College Bikaner (Rajasthan Technical University).
She started her career during her engineering days as a Freelance Content Writer and continued it for 3 years. Soon after her Engineering she joined her current company (SunArc Technologies) as a Senior Content Developer and enhanced her skills with SEO. At Present, she is a Technology Professional with strengths in B-2-B & B-2-C Marketing, Growth hacking, Digital Selling, Project Management & Strategy. SEO is Forte and love. Certified in Digital Marketing Master (CDMM) from Vskills and completed PGDM in CDMM from Digital Vidya.
She is also certified from Google in Adwords, Analytics, Digital Sales, Digital Garage Unlocked & Shopping. Apart from that, she is also a Webmaster Engineer, Growth Hacker, WordPress & AI Enthusiast & currently working as Head of the Digital Marketing & Analytics Department at SunArc Technologies.
Importance of Digital Marketing – Digital Marketing is like a blessing when it comes to customer retention, acquisition and branding. She has been in this industry for last 7 years and all she has learned is online business can make another world with the help of Digital marketing. As per her profile is the leader of the digital marketing so this is a complete hand help for her. With Digital Marketing, she and her team are providing better services to their clients such as:
- Brand Promotion & establishment for e-commerce/Product based/Service based Websites
- Better ROI
- Customer Acquisition & Retention
- Lead generation
- Sales Enhancement
By seeing the better results with Digital marketing, not only her ecommerce clients but the other verticals’ clients are also taking interest and asking her to perform the same practices for their businesses as well. Seems people are loving it!
Which course of Digital Vidya did you participate in? How did it help you acquire new skills related to digital marketing?
Subhashini – I participated in Digital Vidya’ Certified Digital Marketing Master (CDMM) Course and successfully completed it. Initially, I was not sure to go with an online course but when I decided to go with one I searched a lot and did a great R&D for the same. I found Digital Vidya as the top-notch institution in Digital Marketing. And it didn’t disappoint me at all.
It helped me in learning various practices such as Lead generation, Social media, Email marketing, PPC, Web Analytics and made me a more confident person than I was before. The case studies and the examples they provided were very helpful. Moreover, all the instructors were so cooperative and good in the knowledge that even I loved the assignments a lot. They also told a number of better tools for Digital Marketing.
Why did you choose Digital Vidya’s course?
Subhashini – I am very particular when it comes to going online courses. The same feeling went with this scenario. As I mentioned, I was not sure initially so I researched a lot. And after my long R&D, I found Digital Vidya as the top institution not only in India but in Asia. With this, Vskills India certification also associated with that. That impressed me and I directly jumped on the website.
Other thing which I liked a lot, was the customer support I got. I directly jumped on chat section, I remember it was Sunday and most of the times we don’t get live chat on weekend but there I got an immediate reply from one of the very humble person Jitendra Thakur who not only responded but also guided me so well and that day only I enrolled in the course. It was one like in one go because I was completely convinced with the loyalty and good work of Digital Vidya.
How has the course contributed to your career growth including new job opportunities?
Subhashini – If I would have one word to say, it would be ‘Amazingly’. Though I was doing good before in SEO as SEO is the first love, after having this course I got more confidence in knowledge and also got to know a number of new tactics & practices in for the work.
I myself consult Digital Marketing and providing knowledge about this to the newcomers. I did get a number of new job opportunities but I kept myself with my current company only and got promoted to the next level.
Why do you think it’s important to learn Digital Marketing today?
Subhashini – As we know that the world is having a digital transformation. This is not only happening in the corporate world but also at the customer level as well. The people are becoming more tech-friendly and hoping on different social mediums and channels. Everyone is active digitally and giving more power to the digital word.
Even if we see the market, approx 60% physical market is switching to the online market. That’s because people are not more attentive online and taking it as their new space. So in this scenario, it becomes crucial to know about Digital marketing. To all the marketers and the company owners who are providing strategies and solutions for the marketing must have a keen knowledge about this. Even the customer who owes online store should know the power of digital marketing so the learning is highly recommended and important.
Share about the benefits you can foresee about building a career in the Digital Marketing industry.
Subhashini – Building a career in Digital Marketing can become a powerful boost up for a career. There are a number of areas where one can have multiple choices to go with such as:
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- You can go with the Digital Marketing Executive
- You can start your own venture for providing digital marketing services
- You can start your training hub for digital marketing
- You can start freelancing for the Digital Marketing services
- You can enhance the sales and improve your/client business metrics
- You can also start Consultancy in Digital Marketing and assist people in their online businesses
The possibilities vary from one to another person but it has one big ocean where you can get a number of things in terms of achieving success in your career with digital marketing.
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?
Subhashini – Well, I am a book nerd and use to read a lot on social mediums. I have subscribed my email for a number of good digital marketers, companies and also writers so I use to get updated with the trends and updates in Google & Digital Marketing.
There is a few which I am sharing here; I have subscribed for their latest blogs, articles & news:
- Digital Vidya
- Moz Blog
- DMSS Blog
- Shoutmeloud Blogs
- Neil Patel Blogs
- Sorav Jain Blogs
- Michael Stelzner Blogs
- SEMrush Blogs
- Jeff Bullas Blogs
Which are your favourite 3 digital media channels (e.g. Twitter, Google etc) and why?
Subhashini – Though I like a number of digital media channels, if we talk about specifically 3 then they would be:
(i) YouTube: It’s the perfect combination of knowledge and interaction. You can find whatever you want to know and also you can share your knowledge or vlogs and provide best solutions or knowledge to the people all around the world. Moreover, it’s becoming one of the best platforms to explore the skills and talent, whether you are the speaker, dancer, a social activist, or a chef you can share your knowledge and at the same time if you are a beginner or want to learn something you can acquire the knowledge from YouTube.
(ii) Medium: Well, most of the people don’t really much aware of this digital Channel, but this is one wonderful channel for the people who love writing & reading with some essence and authenticity. (I personally like it very much). You can write about any topic and can start your blogs there. You can also get some wonderful piece of content on this channel by which you can enhance your knowledge because as much as I read on this channel, the blogs and articles are really impressive and full of knowledge.
(iii) Facebook: Though there was a lot of scoop and goof-ups about Facebook in last year Facebook would always be my favourite. This is the perfect place for digital marketers to let people know more about digital marketing. This is a channel which is having huge people gathering and with this traffic one can showcase whatever they want to. This is the channel whose audience is from 16 to 60 yrs old person which makes this more achievable in terms of call to action. With time Facebook also enhanced a number of features in its business page and section as well which make me fall for this platform even more.
Which are your 3 favourite Digital Marketing Tools?
Subhashini – So when it comes tool, it’s pretty much difficult for me to pick only 3 as I use to see tools as per the practices and segments such as if I talk about SEO there are some tools which I like a lot, when it comes to social, my choices are different so with a little amalgamation I am putting tools below:
(i) SEMrush & Screaming FROG SEO Spider & Google Analytics for SEO and web analytics
(ii) Buffer, Canva, Hootsuite, SproutSocial, Vimeo for design content and social media
(iii) Hubspot, MailChimp, Marketo for Emailing and CRM
Share the names of 3 people you respect when it comes to Digital Marketing.
Subhashini –
(i) Neil Patel
(ii) Rand Fishkin
(iii) Pradeep Chopra
P.S – Sorav Jain & Deepak Kanakraju are the two names who are becoming the next inspirational.
What is your advice to newbies who want to build a career in Digital Marketing?
Subhashini – So this is the question for which I have answered many of the beginners before as well. I usually say this to the people who come for the Digital Marketing job interview that it’s very important to know that Digital Marketing is not just a job we do but a passion we carry with ourselves, an investment we put for the digital world and an adventure for this online globe.
So if somebody is obtaining this for the job it would not work for a long time, but if somebody will take it as the interest then definitely there would be no better job than this.
In addition, would like to say that this digital marketing world is like an ocean where everyone has enough work to do. And in the upcoming years, it would become deeper and longer.
If I specify it more, E-Commerce and Product Engineering are two main verticals for Digital Marketing for now and it will have more with time. With AI & Machine Learning, the possibilities will increase more.
What are the challenges a person is likely to face when s/he enters into Digital Marketing industry? How can s/he overcome those?
Subhashini – The first and foremost challenge one can have or use to face is the implementation. As there are many blogs and articles on the different practices of digital marketing, so when a person reads about it, s(he) feels that everything would be smooth and easy but when it comes on execution or implementation of those practices, it takes time.
Also sometimes the practices get updated so fast that when you start any practice you need to recall all the facets of that practice, which is fun yet again it can become a task for the another.
When somebody tries organic practice, sometimes results take the time or might vary, that also make a pain point and a person can get irritating with that. One of the challenges is when somebody enters in digital marketing but all of sudden his client asks for dynamic results with sales. A little weird but it happens. These are the things which make a digital marketer’ life a little challenging but that’s a part of this journey.
For this, I would suggest that one should never stop reading & learning (even if you have immense experience) because this digital marketing world is so dynamic that the things change with day another. So it’s very important to take a look back of all the facets of the practices. And for client perspective, would suggest that make a strong knowledge connection with your client or customer so that you can convey your message precisely and without any trouble. Hope it helps ☺
For someone who’s looking at full time or part time job or an internship in Digital Marketing, what approach would you advise?
Subhashini – I would suggest if somebody is getting a full-time job opportunity as a fresher in digital marketing, s(he) should not leave it as one has to start from somewhere so it’s very important to have some work to do some work. One can also go with an internship if you can. That’s a great place to learn more.
If a person is not getting any job opportunity from any firm, s(he) can start from her/his own. They can start with freelancing but it’s a suggestion from my end that if you are trying to go into freelancing, don’t go with everything, for eg: don’t start with every practice that you do SEO, you do SEM, You do social etc.
Stick with one practice first and be a champion of that practice, shape a better portfolio and then enter into the world step by step. You can explore UpWork or LinkedIn for better freelance work opportunities. But if you are joining a firm as full time, Don’t just stick with one practice for long, explore practices, don’t hesitate and ask your seniors about the doubts and once the things clear implement them (first on internal task and then on external tasks). You can take help from indeed or Naukri portal for full-time job.
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?
Subhashini – No, I don’t agree on this. [I am excluding children (0-17yrs)], see my opinion is quite simple on this. The social media interest varies from one person to another. Social media is growing with a huge population which tells that people are taking interest on social media and I believe all of them are wise enough to take their time as per their interest.
At initial, most of the social media channels started for the fun only but at present, the scenario has changed. Now there are a number of different channels having different objectives, so by just blaming particular one or two social media channels we cannot predict about productive time. If somebody is spending time there, that should be a concern from the personal side.
Just like when we go to the amusement park we know that at this time we need to go home, we don’t live there same goes with the social media channels. It’s like some people are having much interest while another is having low interest. There is nothing related to the productivity of an individual. One can productive with his thoughts, now it depends on how he wants to be productive and in what way.
You never if a person is a person is spending 20 hrs on social media but earning 20 times more! Would we ask this question to him, if he is having a productive time or not? Of course not because in the end what result we are having tells the calculation for productive time.
If a man or woman is spending much time on social media (for eg: Facebook) there is no productivity lost for her/him. It’s just one should know the limit of the spending time. I believe here the Digital marketing learning takes place. There are a number of digital channels which can boost up the talent in the most precise way, and even by spending time on those channels one can start his own work sphere. But we must have that knowledge with us.
Rather saying social media channels are eating productive time, we should teach people about the variety of channels and their importance. The people need to identify which channel can work for them and which channel can amuse them.
It’s just like we always just talk about facebook or twitter or Instagram but we need to let people know that there are some wonderful more channels like Medium, Telegram, Tumbler, Pheed, Thumb, Pinterest, Learnist etc, where people can not only connect but also can share their skills as well.
If you were given a chance to rebuild your career, what changes you would have made to have even better growth and fulfilment?
Subhashini – Since when I started my career as a freelance content Writer (7 years ago) to present when I am having the position of Digital Marketing Head in my company, It’s been an amazing and roller-coaster journey where I am not thinking for any changes. Right things happen on the Right time 🙂
How do you see Digital Media evolving in future?
Subhashini – One word is ‘Completely’. Digital Media is everywhere and will have a stronger presence in future as well.
At present, Most of the domains are agreed on the power of Digital media and marketing yet there are a few who are still taking thoughts or understanding on this. I am sure they will also be agreed on the power of Digital Marketing very soon and take the help for the enhancement is sales & marketing. The future is not bright but brighter.
Would you like to share a few words about the work we are doing at Digital Vidya in educating others about Digital Marketing?
Subhashini – Not few but the few words I have for you guys. First & Foremost would like to thank you all for organizing such helpful and knowledgeable courses in the most precise & wonderful way. Special thanks to Pradeep Chopra who thought about Digital Vidya, because of his thought, many students, learners are having a wonderful time with digital marketing.
I am a very proud Digital Vidya alumna who takes a lot of` pride to tell people that I have learned many of the things from Digital Vidya. It’s been long since I connected with Jitendra Thakur & Danjali Mahajan but would like to express my thank you for them as well for assisting & coordinating with me in the most significant way.
I wish all the very best to the entire Digital Vidya Team. 🙂
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 :).
