6 Tips to Build a Career in Advertising
Advertising is a dynamic industry. From the very first weekly gazette that was distributed in Venice to the modern day advertisement we see today; in various mediums, advertising has come a long way. The industry offers lucrative career options and can also be quite competitive. To build a successful career in advertising, one requires to be innovative, creative, skilled and must have an understanding of consumer behaviour and the market. Advertising offers lucrative career options across various disciplines. In this blog, we are going to take a look at 8 tips that you can integrate to build a career in advertising. Tips that can help you become proficient and fancy working in the advertising industry.
1. Understanding The Industry and Its Trends
The advertising industry is a fast — paced one with advancements occurring every other day. To thrive and be a part of the industry, you must be able to keep up with trends and make sure to stay updated. Knowing these new trends can help you build an effective clientele. Clients generally would want to work and associate with professionals who can provide them with realistic and relevant solutions, they would want to be part of what is trending and new. This helps you stay ahead of the competition, will get you more referrals and you get to excel in your career.
2. Getting a Degree in Advertising or Related Disciplines
Many leading and reputed institutes now provide exemplary courses and programs in which you can enroll. These courses help you gain all the skills required to become a proficient advertiser. In your degree program or certification, you get to learn: The fundamentals of advertising, marketing and communication, copy writing and/or creative writing, critical thinking, coming up with advertising campaigns, media laws and ethics, history of advertising and much more. These programs also provide the opportunity to be part of workshops and take up internships, in which you get to associate and learn from industry experts, work on real — life projects and form new connections. Learning how to come up with strategic plans for brand awareness, developing integrated marketing frameworks and understanding and analyzing global markets can help you excel in your career.
3. Building a Strong Portfolio
If you are a student enrolled in an advertising program, then you can make the best use of your course and internship opportunities to gain new skills and explore various avenues. All of this works as an added advantage in your portfolio, helping you land your dream job. Every experience you gain is a new aspect you learn and an achievement that can enhance your resume or CV. Your portfolio is a reflection of your creativity, talent and ability. It would ideally be best if you are open to being part of all disciplines within the advertising industry; such as marketing, copywriting, event hosting, creative writing, public relations etc, which can help you create a well — rounded portfolio.
4. Networking and Communicating
Irrespective of being a student, a fresher or an experienced professional in the advertising industry, forming new connections and networking can take you a long way in your career. It is important to take initiative and communicate with peers, like — minded people and even with mentors to be able to gain new insights and stay updated. The industry often has conferences and workshops occurring that are great spaces for you to network. Networking can help you become better at communicating and forming new connections can even help you in your career with knowing updates first. If you are an entrepreneur, then these connections can gain you access to vendors and suppliers.
5. Augmenting Your Skill Sets
Regardless of where you are in your career or if you are only completing your education, it is always important and beneficial to try and work on your skills regularly. If you are currently enrolled in a degree program, you have the option to register in online programs and access certifications to improve your skill sets. Online courses are applicable for professionals who are currently working in the industry and for people who run their own advertising venture. It is never too late or never wrong to try and be open to learning new things. We might assume that we know everything there is to know but each passing day can keep surprising us.
6. Mastering The Art of Storytelling
A good advertiser must also be a good storyteller. It is through their vision, innovation and creativity that effective advertisements are born. Irrespective of the duration of the advertisement, the medium used or the target audience, every advertisement must have a story to tell. A good advertisement makes people think and take action. It also captures attention, evokes emotions and connects with people on a deeper level. Stitching together a few videos with graphics and edits can be an outcome but is it creative? Will it connect with people? Are questions that an advertiser must think of. To become better at storytelling it is effective to watch previously made advertisements, learn narrative techniques, try writing and sampling a few ideas and scripts, practicing messaging, watching interviews of experts explaining their craft and honing your skills. Our favourite advertisements stay in our minds and we often find ourselves talking about them; this proves the impact a good advertisement can create and its capability of creating retention.
Conclusion
Building a career in advertising can seem like a daunting task, however, the end results are prolific and rewarding. With continuous learning, understanding trends and practicing the techniques you learn, you get to become a proficient advertising. The dynamic nature of advertising gives you the option to explore various options and even branch out within the industry. The field of advertising also provides the scope for entrepreneurial opportunities. With the skills you learn and the connections you form, you probably get to be your own boss. It is a win — win situation. Leading institutes in Noida, Delhi NCR such as AAFT provide well — curated and exemplary programs you can enroll in. You can learn more about AAFT’s School of Advertising, PR and Events here.
