7 Relevant Digital Skills to Learn in 2022

What is a digital skill? Is it something you should invest time in learning or talent that only comes naturally to some people?

There has never been a better time to start developing these skills. According to Forbes, 81 percent of companies believe they need employees who possess at least two of eight digital competencies (and that number grows every year). If you don’t have them already, now is the perfect time to get started.

Digital skills are essential to succeed in today’s workplace. The good news is that they’re simple to learn. Here are 7 of them to get you started.

1. Web and App Development

The first skill I would suggest you learn if you want to get a job in the tech industry is web and app development. There is a huge demand for developers in the current marketplace and the best way to stand out is with coding. Companies are looking for people who have experience developing websites and mobile apps. You may think that you don't need any special training to build these things, but they are actually much more complex than what you might expect. Even though many people learn how to code entirely online using tools like Codecademy, Skillshare, and Treehouse, it's not enough to land a software engineering role at a company. You need to know how to write clean code that follows good practices. You should also have some understanding of front-end frameworks like React and Vue, along with back-end platforms like NodeJS and serverless. One of the easiest ways to start learning how to develop applications is to take courses offered by Udemy, Coursera, or Future Learn.

2. Social Media Marketing

Social media marketing is one of the fastest-growing industries in terms of career opportunities. If you're interested in getting a job in social media marketing, it's going to help to understand how advertising works. Most companies tend to use paid ads on Facebook and Instagram. These ads appear right above posts written by friends, family members, acquaintances, or brands. When someone clicks on a sponsored post, they're directed to a landing page where they're able to find information about a product or service. An example of a business paying to advertise their products could be a restaurant offering $20 gift cards if you click on their link. Another example could be a fashion brand handing out free t-shirts to those who follow them on Instagram. Understanding how advertising works helps you become a master marketer.

3. User Experience Design

User experience (UX) is a combination of design principles and human behavior. The goal of UX is to create sites and web applications that are intuitively usable. A great user interface makes everything easier to understand and saves users time and frustration. Many businesses rely on UX designers to create effective websites and mobile apps. UX designers work closely with product managers, programmers, and content creators to ensure that the final product is well thought through and meets its goals. Some of the best places to look for work in UX include Behance, Dribbble, and LinkedIn Talent Solution.

4. Data Analytics

Data analytics is the practice of analyzing data using software tools that help extract useful information and trends from vast amounts of unstructured data. This skill is applicable across multiple industries including finance, marketing, healthcare, agriculture, manufacturing, education, consumer products, retail, government, law enforcement, and more. One good use case would be to help identify consumers who might benefit from certain services or products and help marketers hone their strategies around those customers. In the cannabis industry, data analysis can be used to understand what cultivators have been producing, where they’re located, and how well their product is selling. All of these factors could influence future business decisions. More importantly, data analytics can be used to determine whether a particular cultivator's strains should be offered at wholesale prices or if they're worth investing further research and development for higher profit margins.

5. Search Engine Optimization (SEO) / SEM

Search engine optimization (SEO) is considered one of the most effective ways to market online businesses and websites. This includes any type of website that you want people to find through search engines via Google, Yahoo!, Bing, or other search engines. SEO consists of many different techniques that help websites rank high in search results. Most notably, SEO focuses on optimizing the content on a page or blog post to attract targeted keywords that potential customers are searching for. When someone searches for a term related to your service or product, your site appears near the top of the list. Many modern web users don't even consider sites that aren't optimized as real, thus helping your brand gain visibility.

6. Video Production

Video production involves taking video and audio files and editing them together into a cohesive piece. In today's world where people's attention span is shorter than ever, having a catchy voice-over, professional photography, and clear screenshots can really help your business stand out among others. While anyone can take a camera and press record, only those who know what they're doing can put their footage in order of importance and create something compelling. If you have any kind of technical background, then you've already got the tools you need to get started. You just need to find a course online to learn how to use these tools and start making videos!

7. Copywriting

Copywriting is the art of writing content that gets someone to do something. Whether it's convincing someone to buy your product or convince them to sign up for your newsletter, copywriting is a skill that everyone should master. When done well, copywriting makes sure that readers understand exactly what you want them to know and believe. If you're interested in copywriting, there are tons of courses online to help you get started.