Avoid These Mistakes in Your First 90 Days!

What Not to Do in Your First 3 Months as a Digital Marketer

Starting a career in digital marketing can be both exciting and overwhelming. The first three months are crucial for building your foundation. While this is the phase when you’ll learn the basics and understand the industry, there are several mistakes that beginners often make that could slow down their progress or lead them in the wrong direction.

As a digital marketer in Calicut, I’ve seen many students and business owners make these mistakes, and I’ve created this guide to help you avoid them. By steering clear of these errors, you’ll be better positioned to develop the skills and mindset needed to succeed.


1. Don’t Try to Learn Everything at Once

Digital marketing encompasses a wide range of areas—SEO, content marketing, social media marketing, email marketing, paid ads, analytics, and more. Trying to learn all of them at once can lead to confusion and overwhelm. Many beginners fall into the trap of hopping between different topics without mastering any of them.

What to do instead:
Focus on one or two key areas to start with. For example, if you’re interested in SEO and content marketing, spend your first few months mastering them. Once you’ve gained proficiency in one area, move on to another.

Tip: It’s better to be an expert in one area than to be average in many.


2. Avoid Random YouTube Learning Without a Clear Path

It’s tempting to watch random tutorials on YouTube, especially when you’re new. While there’s a wealth of information available, this can lead to confusion and wasted time. Without a clear learning path, it’s easy to get lost and end up overwhelmed with too much information that doesn’t apply to your goals.

What to do instead:
Follow a structured learning plan. Choose a reputable platform such as Google Digital Garage or HubSpot Academy to follow a clear syllabus. I often recommend my students at Sreehari GS, a digital marketer in Calicut, to follow a planned roadmap instead of learning haphazardly.

Pro Tip: Stick to one platform or course at a time until you’re comfortable with the subject.


3. Don’t Ignore Real-World Practice

Many beginners focus too much on theory and spend their time consuming content but don’t take action. Digital marketing is all about applying what you’ve learned. Without hands-on practice, you can’t really gauge whether you’ve understood the concepts.

What to do instead:
Create a blog, social media page, or even offer digital marketing services to friends or small businesses. Start with small projects to test your knowledge. Use tools like Google Analytics, Google Search Console, and social media ad managers to get a feel for real-world applications.

Real-world practice is the fastest way to learn and gain confidence in your abilities.


4. Don’t Be Tool-Obsessed Without Strategy

It’s easy to get caught up in using tools like Canva, SEMrush, or Google Ads. While these tools are essential for digital marketing, they are only as effective as the strategy behind them. Using them without a clear plan can waste your time and resources.

What to do instead:
Before jumping into tools, focus on understanding the fundamentals—consumer behavior, sales funnels, content strategy, and SEO. Once you have a strategy, use tools to enhance your efforts and streamline your work.

Remember: Tools are just facilitators, not the solution.


5. Don’t Compare Your Growth With Others

It’s common to compare your progress with other digital marketers, especially on platforms like LinkedIn or Instagram. However, comparing yourself to others often leads to self-doubt and frustration, especially when you feel like they’re moving faster than you.

What to do instead:
Focus on your own progress. Set small, achievable goals every week, and track your growth. Compare where you are today with where you were a month ago, not with someone else’s journey. Personal growth is more important than external validation.

Pro Tip: Remember, digital marketing is a marathon, not a sprint.


6. Avoid Buying Courses Without Research

There are countless digital marketing courses available online, but not all of them offer value. Some may charge high fees for basic information that’s freely available elsewhere. Buying the wrong course can waste both your time and money.

What to do instead:
Research the trainer, read reviews, and check course contents before committing. Don’t buy courses just for certificates; focus on learning. If you’re based in Kerala, I recommend local trainers like Sreehari GS for a more personalized learning experience, as local insights can be incredibly valuable.

Tip: Always look for testimonials and proof of past student success before enrolling.


7. Don’t Skip Analytics

Many beginners tend to skip learning about analytics, assuming that they can focus on content creation or ads. However, understanding and using analytics is critical for improving your campaigns and making informed decisions.

What to do instead:
Start using Google Analytics, Google Search Console, and Meta Ads Manager to monitor and track your performance. Learn to read reports, understand metrics like conversion rates and bounce rates, and optimize campaigns based on data.

Analytics are key to refining your strategies and achieving better results.


8. Don’t Focus Only on Theory

Reading blogs, watching tutorials, and earning certifications are important, but without applying what you’ve learned, it’s easy to stay stuck in the “learning mode.”

What to do instead:
Take action. Set up a live project or create content that you can test in real situations. If you’re learning SEO, implement it on your blog. If you’re learning ads, run a small campaign. Practice is the only way to reinforce your knowledge.

Pro Tip: For every hour of learning, spend two hours applying it in real-world scenarios.


9. Don’t Follow Every Trend

Digital marketing is constantly evolving, with new tools, algorithms, and strategies popping up all the time. It’s easy to get caught up in every new trend or tool that comes your way.

What to do instead:
Master the fundamentals first. Focus on understanding your audience, building a strong content strategy, and mastering core skills like SEO, paid ads, and email marketing. Once you have a solid foundation, then you can experiment with new trends as they emerge.

Tip: Trends will come and go, but the fundamentals are timeless.


10. Don’t Work Without a Goal or Plan

It’s easy to get sidetracked without a clear goal. Digital marketing offers endless opportunities, but without a clear roadmap, it can be difficult to know where to start or where you’re going.

What to do instead:
Set clear, measurable goals for your first three months. Whether it’s learning a specific marketing channel, achieving a certain income from freelancing, or building a portfolio, writing down your goals will help you stay focused and motivated.

Pro Tip: Review your goals weekly to stay on track and adjust if necessary.


Conclusion: Build a Strong Foundation for Your Digital Marketing Career

The first three months in digital marketing are crucial for setting up your long-term success. Avoiding these common mistakes will help you grow faster, stay focused, and build a solid foundation in this exciting field.

As a digital marketer in Calicut, I’ve mentored many students and business owners who faced similar challenges in their early days. By applying the right strategies and avoiding these mistakes, they’re now successfully running campaigns, building brands, and earning money online.