Interested in digital marketing but don't know how to start?

Interested in digital marketing but don't know how to start? 

That was me until I found GenM.

**UPDATE** GenM has been renamed to Acadium!!

What's GenM?

"GenM is a marketplace connecting students with top vetted and verified professionals for digital marketing apprenticeships." -Quora

While watching one of ENGINEER TRUTH's Youtube videos, one of his guest speakers, a digital marketer, briefly mentioned how he began his marketing journey with GenM, so I decided to check it out myself. I quickly learned that this marketplace is a win-win situation for both parties because students can learn from the verified professionals, while the professionals can delegate smaller tasks to their intern, they can focus on more important tasks. Individuals who would like to learn about digital marketing to sign up as interns; although these are unpaid apprenticeships, it is free to students of all ages. The professionals that seek assistance contribute a small fee, but in exchange, there are not only able to delegate small tasks but are also able to teach and inspire the next generation.  

Here is a list of topics the professional may teach you:

• Brand Creation
• Social Media
• Content Marketing
• Market Research
• Public relation
• Email Marketing
• Website Design
• Ecommerce
• Marketing Automation
• Viral Marketing
• Graphic Design
• more

As a high school student that wanted to learn digital marketing, I didn't want to pay for pricey online courses, so I thought this was a pretty good opportunity since I had nothing to lose. I know how it feels to want to do something but have no idea how to begin, so you watch video after video scrambling to collect all the information but still are unsure how to begin. The frustration can be overwhelming but with professional assistance, you are not only learning the different strategies that they've personally used onto their own company but also gain hands-on experience as well as broaden your connections. 

How to start?

Before searching for an apprenticeship, the platform will first ask you to create a profile with a series of questions about personal interests, what marketing tool you may know (Google docs, Canva, iMovie), and the topics you are interested in learning (list above). This brief profile would provide a little insight about you, hopefully, pair you with a mentor that shares a common interest. Don't worry too much about not knowing many marketing tools because even though it's nice to have, your mentor would most likely teach you if you aren't familiar with the tools.

What to expect?

Some mentors are also just as new to this platform as you, so it's a learning curve. Before starting an internship, it is good to know what that their business is about and decide if you are interested in their mission. Digital marketing can be used for any business: Real Estate, Podcast, School program, Medical, etc) Pick a category that interests you and would like to learn more about it because it may be difficult to create or promote content if you aren't passionate or interested about it. Second, begin to schedule an interview. Typically, the mentor would initiate the interview after you have taken an interest in their business. The interview takes place on an online video call or a phone call and you don't have to wear something super formal like a suit and tie, but I recommend at least something casual (with a shirt and not PJs). 

The interview should consist of getting to know you, expectations, and informing you of the overall tasks your mentor would like to complete. If you have a lot on your plate but still want to be able to insert into your schedule, I strongly recommend to let your mentor know your situation so that they would be more understanding and lenient with you. Even though this is a great opportunity, school always comes first. 

Allow a few days for the interview process, and the professional should inform you when to expect the next response. Then, after an acceptance message, and telling your potential mentor all your concerns or situation, there will be an online contract that both members must design. This contract informs the security of shared information etc. You can also decide how long you'd like to commit to this apprenticeship from 3 or 6 months. In addition, you can also accept more than one apprenticeship at a time but I wouldn't recommend it if you are new to GenM or simply don't the time. 

What's next?

Ultimately, your experience may vary depending on your mentor and their preparation. After GenM pairs the student and professional, the marketplace is basically finished with its job and now it is up to the student and mentor to carry out any tasks. Keeping strong communication is crucial for this relationship to prosper.

 I recommend having a meeting at least once a week for weekly updates and constant communication in case any issues or questions arises. The mentor should also prepare a list of things they would like to get accomplished and break them down so that it is understandable for you, the student, to comprehend and accomplish. Keep in mind that this is coming from my experience and your experience may vary depending on your mentor.

If you want to learn, you must find the resources to help you fulfill that dream. All it takes is one step at a time. Take action and sign up for GenM to learn more about digital marketing. I hope you found this post to be informational and if you have any questions feel free to comment and I will be happy to answer them. Thank you for reading and I can't wait to hear about your digital marketing adventures!