The pathway
How you actually get there, here
How you become one varies far more by country than what one does. This is the UK route. Most people take one of these ways in; the right one depends on where you're starting from.
- 1
Marketing Assistant / Social Media Assistant
1-2 yearsSkills to master
- Basic social media management, content scheduling, community engagement, administrative support for marketing campaigns, understanding brand guidelines.
You're ready to move on when
- You've successfully managed a brand's social media accounts for at least 6 months, showing consistent engagement growth.
- You're comfortable drafting social media copy and basic campaign reports.
- You've demonstrated strong organisational skills in a fast-paced marketing environment.
- 2
Marketing Internship / Apprenticeship
6-12 monthsSkills to master
- Exposure to various marketing functions, basic project support, data entry, learning internal systems and processes, professional communication.
You're ready to move on when
- You've completed at least one marketing internship where you actively supported campaign execution and data collection.
- Your supervisors consistently praised your proactive attitude and willingness to learn.
- You've shown a clear interest in influencer marketing specifically through projects or personal research.
- 3
Personal Brand/Creator Management
1-2 years (self-taught)Skills to master
- Understanding of creator platforms, content creation, audience engagement, basic negotiation (e.g., brand deals for yourself or others), trend identification.
You're ready to move on when
- You've grown a significant personal social media following or successfully managed a small creator's brand deals.
- You can articulate how you approached content strategy, engagement, and potential monetisation.
- You have practical experience with the tools and platforms creators use daily.