Are you a fresh graduate or a newcomer to Canada trying to find your first marketing job in Canada? Here are 5 tips to get started in marketing.
Build a network
1. Build a network
One of the toughest things for new marketers in Canada is building a network. Fresh graduates and newcomers alike start from scratch. It’s a small world out there and there’s no better way to introduce yourself to the marketing scene than to ✔️ Just Do It.
Scotiabank has created a useful guide which you can read here.
2. Establish yourself on social media
Use your phone. That’s right!
There’s no better time than now to start establishing your presence on social media. By posting regularly on your social media (and using the right hashtags), you’re not only creating your very own community, but you’re also establishing yourself as an expert in whatever you’re doing. Learnt something new today? Post your insights and learnings on LinkedIn. Saw a post that you feel strongly about? Comment on it and start a discussion.
Establish social media presence
Know your market
3. Familiarize yourself with the vast Canadian market
Time to get a map of Canada… or do a quick search on Google Maps. It’s easy to lump the entire Canadian market into one but spend a little bit more time and you’ll realize that Québec and Ontario is like ice cream to mashed potatoes- they might look somewhat similar but the taste? Completely different. 86.3% of Ontarians speak English only while almost 52% of Quebecers speak French only.
Similarly, each region and market in Canada is distinct and marketers should be wary of a one-size-fits-all approach. Some common marketing regions you may see are:
- The Maritimes: New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, and Prince Edward Island,
- Atlantic Canada: The Maritimes + Newfoundland and Labrador,
- The Prairies: Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba,
- Western Canada: The Prairies + British Columbia,
- Ontario: Well… Ontario, and
- Québec: Or Quebec if you’re still looking for the accent key on your keyboard.
4. Keep up with the latest news
Still scratching your head on what ChatGPT is? New things are happening every day and it’s essential for new marketers to keep up with trends and the latest happenings in the market. Sign up for newsletters from the Globe and Mail, and register for events with the Canadian Marketing Association
P.S. Did you know that Canada has a digital news subscription tax credit? You might want to take a look at that and subscribe to your favourite publications.
Stay updated
Use data
5. Use data
What separates good marketers from someone who thinks they know marketing is data. It’s important for new marketers to be able to understand and analyze data to formulate effective marketing campaigns. Get your hands on tools like Vividata and Statista if you can. If you’re studying in a postsecondary institution like Humber College, you might already have access to these powerful marketing tools through library resources. Otherwise, free tools such as government statistics are also great places to get started in your marketing journey.
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