Almost every business in the world is online now, making it easier for prospective customers to come to your doorstep. However, there’s more to marketing than making a website and social media profiles. Having someone in your team who knows digital marketing is crucial for effective promotions.

Hiring a digital marketing apprentice helps your online presence and brings fresh opportunities. There may be an abundance of tools and apps available to boost the exposure of your brand, but you need people who know the proper application for each of these software products.

In case you’re wondering why you shouldn’t hire a specialist altogether, you must understand that apprentices come at a lower cost compared to experienced professionals. Furthermore, you get access to more talents while helping launch a newbie into their career.

What are apprentices anyway?

They are current students or recent graduates who are aiming to learn and grow through hands-on training under the mentorship of skilled industry professionals. While they may seem similar, they are different from interns as guidance and education are a core part of apprenticeship.

Their main objective is to acquire the skills they need for the career path they’re pursuing. This means that an apprenticeship requires commitment on the side of the mentor so apprentices may develop the necessary skills in exchange for their work.

How do digital marketing apprentices help?

Taking on an apprentice in virtual promotions is an excellent way to invest in the future of your marketing team. They bring numerous advantages, including but not limited to the newest best practices, innovative ideas, and increased workload capacity.

The greatest advantage would have to be being able to delegate your tasks and boost your productivity though.

As an agency owner, you likely have more tasks on your to-do list than what you’re capable of finishing in a single workday. A digital marketing apprentice enables you to delegate your tasks so you have more time and energy to spend on core business activities.

One thing to note when working with an apprentice is that you must give them meaningful work. Doing so ensures that they get practical work experience. In this aspect, an apprentice is much like a freelancer in that you outsource your digital marketing to someone willing but for less than a regular employee.

How do you delegate to apprentices?

Start by defining your goals then establishing a clear strategy for achieving them. It’s recommended that you conduct an audit of your tasks to know what you need to delegate.

• Tedious – These are simple in nature but don’t really teach people new skills or hone any existing ones. Examples: scheduling calls, answering emails, and entering data
• Tiny – They consume minimal time to accomplish but if they come in bulk then they may take up much of your schedule in the end. Examples: making social media posts or replying to comments
• Teachable – These are ideal tasks to delegate because they offer learning experiences. Examples: industry-related tasks like keyword research or data analytics
• Time-consuming – Depending on their nature, they may provide value or not. Examples: gathering a certain amount of leads or creating a detailed SEO roadmap
• Time-sensitive – When you have assignments that you know you need done quickly but you lack the time to do, delegate them to apprentices. Examples: seasonal paid advertisements on Google

Why delegate your tasks to others?

Delegation is an important skill for supervisors of every level but it may be difficult to learn due to lack of confidence in others’ skills or concerns about giving up control. Even so, delegating is crucial when working with a team but trust is critical for its success.

You get a long-term asset

Delegating to an apprentice is a rewarding act for both parties. You end up with an employee who becomes highly valuable to your operations since they have been trained internally. Bear in mind that they’re not cheap labour but someone you need to raise up to become an asset though.

The best way to improve their skills is to give them practical on-the-job training. There are many ways and approaches to virtual marketing that may only be validated through practice so give them the chance to see for themselves which tactics or techniques work.

You expand your network

Apprenticeships build long-term relationships for both the agency and the apprentice. The apprentice develops skills that may serve as a foundation for their career. Meanwhile, the agency gets a motivated employee who provides real value, including in the sense of referring more clients.

Of course, you need to invest both money and time to achieve a successful apprenticeship program. Be willing to teach them everything they need to know about marketing, including building professional relationships with industry peers.

You boost company morale

Another benefit of working with an apprentice is that they’re likely to stay after they’re trained thereby increasing your company morale. According to data from the UK government, the average retention rate for former apprentices is at a whopping 73%.

Since all workers benefit from a learning environment while working, productivity and morale is raised across the board and not just among apprentices. An apprentice brings enthusiasm and eagerness that spreads to the rest of your team or workforce.

Where do you find apprentices?

Whether you’re managing a digital marketing agency or still considering building a team, bringing on a digital marketing apprentice is a wonderful idea. From understanding the needs of the younger generation to introducing fresh ideas to social media marketing, an apprentice boosts the drive and creativity of your business.

If you think you’re ready to hire a digital marketing apprentice, get in touch with us at Remote Workmate. Being specialists in offshore staffing, we are more than capable of connecting you to candidates who meet the specific needs of your company.