A-B Marketing | How to Start a Career in Marketing (From Someone Who’s Been There)
You think in Marketing? I’ve been where you are now.
Curious about marketing.
Excited to get started.
And completely overwhelmed.
There’s so much noise out there—tools, buzzwords, courses, advice from every direction. I remember googling “how to get into marketing” and closing the tab ten minutes later, feeling even more confused.
That’s why I’m writing this blog through the Marketing With Ahmed Platform. Not from theory or textbooks, but from real experience. If you’re new to marketing and don’t know where to begin, I wrote this for you.
So… what is marketing, really?
Let’s strip it down to basics.
Marketing is not just about selling. It’s about connecting the right product with the right people, at the right time, in a way that feels natural and meaningful.
It’s part research, part creativity, part strategy, part empathy. Good marketing helps people discover what they actually need—without tricking them into buying what they don’t.
And no, it’s not just running ads or posting memes on Instagram (though yes, sometimes it includes that too).
Traditional vs. Digital Marketing: What’s the difference?
This is where a lot of beginners get stuck. So here’s a simple breakdown:
Traditional marketing is the “offline” stuff—TV ads, flyers, billboards, trade shows, radio spots, print brochures. It’s the world of marketing that existed before the internet took over.
Digital marketing is everything online—social media campaigns, blog content, SEO, email newsletters, paid ads on Google, influencer partnerships, website strategies.
Both are useful. Both are valid. But if you’re just starting out in today’s world, you’ll likely lean toward digital marketing because:
- It’s easier to access
- It’s cheaper to experiment with
- It’s where most people spend their time now
So, what kind of marketing should you do?
Marketing is a huge field. There’s something for every personality type, and that’s what makes it fun. Ask yourself:
- Do I enjoy writing? → Try content marketing or copywriting
- Do I love data and numbers? → Explore SEO or analytics
- Am I outgoing and persuasive? → Social media or influencer marketing might be your thing
- Do I like organizing events and working on the ground? → Look into event marketing or PR
There’s no “one path fits all.” Your background, strengths, and interests can help you figure out your angle.
What should I learn first?
If I could go back and talk to my beginner self, I’d say this:
Don’t try to learn everything at once.
Start small. Choose one area. Focus. Get your hands dirty. See what you enjoy. Then grow from there.
Here are a few beginner-friendly (and free!) places to start learning:
Online platforms:
- Google Digital Garage (especially the “Fundamentals of Digital Marketing” course)
- HubSpot Academy (great for content and inbound marketing)
- Meta Blueprint (Facebook/Instagram ads)
- LinkedIn Learning (tons of variety, often free trials)
Books to consider:
- This is Marketing by Seth Godin
- Contagious by Jonah Berger
- Influence by Robert Cialdini
Tools you’ll probably use:
- Canva (for design)
- ChatGPT (for writing or brainstorming)
- Google Trends (to explore what people care about)
- Meta Ads Manager (for learning paid ads)
But wait, do I need a marketing degree?
Short answer? No.
A degree is nice, sure. But it’s not what gets you hired these days. What really matters is proof that you can solve problems and add value. Even small things—like growing an Instagram page or writing a killer blog post—can speak volumes.
How do I get experience if no one will hire me yet?
I get this question all the time. The answer is: make your own experience.
- Offer to help a small business for free
- Create a marketing plan for a fictional product
- Volunteer at a non-profit or community project
- Start your own content series on LinkedIn or Instagram
- Write about what you’re learning. Show your process.
That’s how you build a portfolio from scratch. That’s how people start noticing you.
Skills to build along the way
Start developing:
- Curiosity and a willingness to ask “why?”
- Empathy (you’re solving human problems)
- Writing and storytelling
- Basic design sense
- Data literacy (understanding results)
- The habit of learning every single week
Marketing changes fast. The only way to keep up is to stay curious.
Final thoughts
Marketing isn’t about being perfect. It’s about progress.
You don’t need to wait for permission. You don’t need to know everything before you begin. Start where you are, with what you have. Learn one thing. Try one project. Write one post.
You’re not behind. You’re just getting started—and that’s the best place to be.
Coming up in the next post:
How to choose your first marketing specialty—and build your personal brand, even if you’re starting from scratch.
And if you’re feeling stuck, I’ve been there too. Let’s talk. Leave a comment, message me, or just say hi.
You’re not alone in this.