Why do SMEs need to understand the Marketing learning path of students?
Young personnel bring new energy to digital agencies
Today's Marketing students access digital tools early. They are familiar with TikTok Ads, Google Analytics from the first year. SMEs hiring them will save time on basic training.
According to VietnamWorks 2023 statistics, 68% of SMEs struggle to recruit experienced digital marketers. Fresh graduates are the immediate solution for SMBs.
They learn quickly, adapt to new tools. Agencies like DPS.MEDIA often prioritize recruiting freshers with a practical mindset.
- Identify specific digital marketing recruitment needs
- Find final-year students through university Facebook groups
- If budget is limited, prioritize freshers over seniors
- Set up a 3-month probation period with clear KPIs
- Measure personnel ROI after 6 months of operation
SMEs save 40% training costs when hiring the right people
Students have learned foundational SEO, Content Marketing at school. Businesses only need to guide agency processes. Training costs are significantly reduced compared to employees without knowledge.
Example: A cafe chain in Saigon recruited 2 Marketing students. They ran Facebook Ads themselves, increasing 25% revenue in the first month without external agencies.
Clear insight: Recruiting suitable students helps SMEs scale marketing teams quickly.
Core knowledge foundation that Marketing students must grasp
Digital Marketing Channels: Facebook, Google, TikTok
Students learn 3 main channels that generate 80% digital revenue. Facebook Ads for effective remarketing. Google Ads target customers who are already searching with demand.
TikTok is exploding with Gen Z. SMEs selling young products need to prioritize this platform. Students must know how to set up campaigns from A-Z.
They practice through real case studies at school. This helps agencies save onboarding time.
- Choose channels suitable for the SME's buyer persona
- Set up pixel tracking on the business website
- Create 3-5 ad samples for A/B testing
- If ROAS is below 2, optimize target audience
- Scale budget for the winning ad sample
- Weekly reporting for SME owners
Content Creation and Copywriting in practice
Students write sales content following the AIDA model. Attention attracts, Interest creates desire, Desire evokes emotions, Action calls to buy now. SMEs need this type of content for landing pages.
They learn Canva Pro tool, CapCut for editing short videos. Easily create viral content for TikTok. Digital agencies highly value this skill.
Conclusion: Good content determines 70% campaign success.
Analytics & Data: Google Analytics 4, Facebook Insights
New students learn GA4 to track user journey. They know how to analyze bounce rate, conversion path. SMEs use this data to optimize website effectively.
Facebook Insights helps understand audience behavior. Students read reports, suggest improvements for targeting. Real value for small businesses.
| Tool | Application for SMEs | Skills students need |
|---|---|---|
| Google Analytics 4 | Track ROI website | Setup event tracking |
| Facebook Insights | Analyze ads performance | Read custom report |
| Google Tag Manager | Manage multi-channel pixel | Deploy tag quickly |
| Hotjar | Heatmap user behavior | Analyze session recording |
6-month learning path turning students into agency marketers
Months 1-2: Master Digital Marketing foundations
Start with free Facebook Blueprint certification. Learn Google Ads fundamentals. Practice setting up campaigns with small test budgets.
Build personal portfolio through Upwork freelance. Students run ads for friends' online shops. SMEs highly value this real experience.
Act now: Register for Google Skillshop today.
- Complete Facebook Blueprint 10 modules
- Get Google Analytics Individual Qualification
- Run test campaign 500k VND budget
- If no website yet, use landing page tool
- Build first case study for portfolio
Months 3-4: Practice real SME projects
Find small businesses needing free marketing in exchange for case study. Run campaign to increase fanpage likes, lead form. Valuable experience for CV.
Real case: UEH Marketing student group helps nail salon increase 150 leads/month via FB Ads. Salon owner introduces 3 more new customers.
Strong portfolio helps apply for top agency internships.
Months 5-6: Deep dive into agency workflow skills
Learn Notion to set up project management. Trello for campaign timeline management. Students get familiar with professional agency processes.
Join Vietnam marketing contests like VietChallenge. Network with professionals. Higher chance for DPS.MEDIA internship.
Final roadmap checklist:
- Complete portfolio with 5 case studies
- Apply to 10 junior agency positions
- Prepare real interview questions
- Join Facebook group Marketing Việt Nam
- Follow-up with recruiter after 1 week apply
Special skills SMEs need in Marketing agency students
Video Marketing & Short-form content
TikTok, Reels account for 60% social traffic 2024. Students must know 15s sales script. SMEs selling online urgently need this skill.
Learn trend analysis, hashtag research. Create seasonal content like 20/10, Tết. Increase engagement 5 times regular posts.
Action idea: Shoot 1 product video every day for 30 consecutive days.
Automation & AI tools in marketing
Students use ChatGPT to write 100 content ideas/hour. ManyChat setup Facebook Messenger chatbot. Save 50% operation time.
Zapier connect Google Sheet with CRM. Auto daily reports for SMEs. Agencies highly value automation skills.
AI tool comparison table:
| Tool | Application | Cost/month |
|---|---|---|
| ChatGPT Plus | Write content | 20 USD |
| Jasper.ai | Copywriting pro | 49 USD |
| ManyChat Pro | Chatbot sales | 15 USD |
| Zapier Starter | Automation | 20 USD |
| Canva Pro | Design + video | 12 USD |
Sales Funnel & CRO (Conversion Rate Optimization)
Students learn funnel Awareness-Consideration-Decision. Setup retargeting for customers who abandon cart. SMEs ecommerce increase 30% revenue from this funnel.
Test headline, button color on landing page. Heatmap analysis improves UX. Advanced skill required by agencies.
Conclusion: Skilled marketers in funnel think like CEOs of businesses.
How SMEs effectively recruit and onboard Marketing students
Real test assignments to evaluate skills
Assign task to run FB Ads with 1 million budget test. Require ROAS report after 7 days. Eliminate candidates who don't know how to setup pixel.
Test writing landing page selling SMEs products. Evaluate copy, CTA, UX design. Select top 3 candidates for in-depth interview.
- Send specific product brief to candidate
- Set deadline 48h to submit
- Score based on 5 criteria: Strategy, Creative, Technical, Report, Speed
- If the article is excellent, offer internship right away
- Onboard team meeting within the first 24h of work
Build hybrid marketing team: Senior + Junior
Senior strategist leads 3-5 juniors. Assign tasks according to skill matrix. SMEs save 35% costs compared to full senior team.
Weekly internal training on new tools. Juniors learn quickly from senior real-world experience. Team performance increases 2x after 3 months.
Action: Draw the marketing team org chart today.
Retain talent: Clear KPIs + Strong culture
Set easy-to-achieve KPIs for the first month: 100 leads, ROAS 1.5. Gradually increase according to capability. Students see clear progress.
Flexible remote work + performance bonus. Young, creative agency culture. Reduce 50% turnover rate.
Final insight: Hiring the right people saves 10x training costs for the wrong ones.
