How To Specialize In Paid Advertising As A Side Hustle

If you have experience or skills related to digital marketing, social media advertising, or Google Analytics, a gig specializing in paid advertising could suit you.

As the market slowly shifts online, companies and organizations continuously look for people to manage and help reach their target audience and increase conversion rate.

It’s a career befitting people interested in employing their creativity to connect services and products to people.

In today’s post, we’ll walk you through the steps to become a pay-per-click or PPC specialist.

We’re breaking down its responsibilities, income rates, and the advantages of this hustle in 2023.

An Overview of Specializing in Paid Advertising: A Primer

A PPC specialist is an individual specializing in paid advertising responsible for analyzing target audience behavior.

They influence the consumers’ purchase decisions to achieve their company’s business goals.

The role involves developing, implementing, and managing advertising campaigns online.

As a PPC specialist, your job is to make creative and effective ads on different platforms and boost your company’s conversion rate.

One vital credential for this digital marketing gig is mastery of Google Analytics. Demonstrating your knowledge and understanding of Google Ads is necessary for this credential.

Your marketing portfolio should also include essential skills for attaining marketing objectives.

So, skills like communication, digital proficiency, project management, search engine optimization, and analytical skills are needed.

How Much Can Specializing in Paid Advertising Earn You?

Specializing in paid advertising can be a lucrative and rewarding career choice among most remote marketing jobs. You can earn as much as $60,000 annually in this role.

Indeed estimates the average base salary for ads specialists to be $17 to $39 per hour. It means you can earn over $40,000 to $90,000 per year.

If you live in New York, New Jersey, or California, you can expect to earn the highest salaries for specializing in paid advertising between $56,000 and $77,000.

How Much Does it Cost to Start a Side Hustle Specializing in Paid Advertising?

If you have the relevant skills and experience, you can immediately kickstart your ads specialist career without initial investments.

Otherwise, you’ll have to consider getting the needed credentials.

You can become an ads specialist with a high school diploma or equivalent certifications.

However, companies typically prefer candidates with a bachelor’s degree in any relevant field, such as marketing, business, and management.

Tuition for these programs ranges between $10,000 to $30,000.

Certifications related to digital marketing will also help you land the position. These credentials include Google Ads, AMA Digital Marketing Pro, and Microsoft Advertising Certified Professional Certification.

Google and Microsoft are free marketing programs offered by the companies.

The American Marketing Association’s certification costs around $1,300 for 30 hours of online courses.

Where Can You Find Gigs Specializing in Paid Advertising?

There are companies online that are constantly looking for paid advertising specialists. You can use job boards or search engines to look for postings in your preferred location and organization.

Where to Independently Find Work Specializing in Paid Advertising

A digital marketing agency is an excellent place to start your career as an ads specialist.

They provide many opportunities to participate in marketing campaigns and broaden your skills while working with diverse clients.

Some of the best PPC advertising agencies to apply to are Disruptive Advertising, Ignite Visibility, and KlientBoost.

Gig Economy Companies That Offer Work Specializing in Paid Advertising

You can also apply through gig economy platforms. These websites connect companies looking for PPC specialists for their marketing campaigns and individuals starting a marketing business or career.

Mayple is a fantastic example of these gig economy platforms for display advertising experts. The AI-powered platform is home to the best freelance marketing specialists in the industry.

Contently is another excellent site offering digital marketing services and opportunities to aspiring expert marketers.

Through Contently, you can create a portfolio for free and showcase your work on their global creative marketplace.

You could also search for postings on general freelance websites like Upwork and Fiverr.

These sites have numerous selections of jobs for companies searching for marketing strategy specialists.

Why You Should Consider a Side Hustle Specializing in Paid Advertising

Are you considering pursuing a career in paid advertising? Here are some of the benefits people specializing in paid advertising enjoy:

• Career security: If you have the suitable skill set and credentials, becoming an expert in paid advertising is a lucrative and secure career.
• Career flexibility: Working as a paid advertising specialist offers flexibility and ease of working, which means you can work anytime and anywhere.
• Career opportunities: A digital marketing role allows you to work with campaigns on Google ads, Bing ads, Facebook ads, and other giant platforms.

Problems With Specializing in Paid Advertising As a Side Hustle

As with any other gig, a career in advertising comes with several issues. Below are some of the common problems with a career in paid advertising.

• Technical skills: A career in digital paid advertising could require specialized skills like graphic design and data analysis.
• High competition: Competition riddles the digital marketing world. You’ll need to compete with other candidates and stay ahead in skills to remain at the forefront.
• Constant change: The marketing landscape is ever-changing. You’ll want to keep up by updating your skills constantly and being aware of the changes in client needs.

Frequently Asked Questions

Here are some FAQS to help you.

Are Paid Advertising Specialists in High Demand?

Yes, the demand for paid advertising specialists is high. As companies struggle to dominate the virtual space, they always need the skills of marketing experts.

Honing your skills in paid advertising will open doors for fresh opportunities.

Is Specializing in Paid Advertising a Good Side Hustle?

Yes, specializing in paid advertising is an excellent side hustle. It can be a lucrative side hustle to earn additional income.

As an ads specialist, your primary investments are creativity, hard work, skills, and patience. It’s one of the few careers that don’t require big names or prestigious degrees.