What is a Digital Marketing Assistant?
What the heck is a digital marketing assistant?
I didn’t know either, until I became one.
I’d been an executive assistant, office manager, and project manager, and I figured I was just “good at keeping things organized.” But when I launched my own photo organizing business, I found myself learning an entirely new skill set: building lead magnets, writing email newsletters, setting up automations, designing graphics, and managing social media. All in the name of getting my business seen.
Somewhere along the way, I realized that this was marketing. And when I looked back on my earlier jobs creating real estate flyers, updating websites, designing presentations, and even writing brand guidelines — I saw a pattern. The parts of my work I’d always loved most weren’t the admin tasks… they were the creative, strategic ones that helped a brand look and feel more professional.
That’s when it clicked.
I wasn’t just an assistant - I was a digital marketing assistant all along.
Now I help business owners who are ready to grow but are buried in the day-to-day details of marketing — the content, design, and systems that never seem to end.
So if you’ve ever wondered what exactly a digital marketing assistant does (and whether you might need one), you’re in the right place.
What Is The Role of a Digital Marketing Assistant?
When people hear “assistant,” they usually picture someone handling scheduling, inboxes, and spreadsheets — the behind-the-scenes work that keeps a business running. And sure, that’s part of it. But a digital marketing assistant is a different kind of support entirely.
A virtual assistant typically focuses on operations: managing calendars, answering emails, organizing files, booking travel, or handling data entry. Their goal is to keep the business running smoothly.
A digital marketing assistant, on the other hand, focuses on visibility.
Our work centers on helping a business show up consistently online — through social media, email marketing, content creation, and design. The “digital” part is key: we live in the online space, helping brands connect with their audience, nurture leads, and build trust.
But beyond that, a good digital marketing assistant isn’t just a task-ticker. They’re part implementer, part strategist, part creative — someone who can take an idea, map it out, and actually bring it to life.
For me, that’s the sweet spot.
I’m not “just a virtual assistant.” I bring lived experience from years of managing creative projects, designing collateral, and learning the ins and outs of online marketing. I’ve taken courses, built brands from the ground up, and supported business owners who need someone who can think strategically and execute efficiently.
That means I don’t need hand-holding or a long list of step-by-step instructions. I can see where the gaps are, make a plan, and jump in — whether that’s refreshing a Canva template, writing an email sequence, or setting up a more streamlined system behind the scenes.
Because for most business owners, marketing isn’t just about being visible — it’s about being consistent.
And that’s exactly where a digital marketing assistant steps in.
👉 Want the short version?
Check out my Instagram post below — it breaks this down in a few quick slides.
What Does a Digital Marketing Assistant Do?
A digital marketing assistant supports the online visibility of a business by handling the creative, technical, and organizational tasks that most business owners don’t have time for.
Here’s a breakdown of the core areas:
Content Creation & Repurposing
Drafting blog posts, captions, and newsletters
Turning long-form content into multiple smaller pieces
Organizing content so it’s actually usable
Social Media Support
Scheduling posts
Designing graphics
Light engagement + basic analytics
Planning monthly content calendars
Email Marketing
Writing newsletters
Setting up automations and lead magnets
Segmenting lists and tracking performance
Website Updates
Uploading blogs
Refreshing copy or images
Keyword research and on-site SEO
Branding & Design Support
Social templates, PDFs, presentations
Keeping everything visually consistent
(Not every DMA offers this — it’s a strong area for me)
Systems & Organization
Content calendars
Setting up Notion, Asana or Dubsado systems
Dropbox/Drive/Canva organization
Analytics & Strategy Support
Pulling social/email data
Highlighting what’s working
Recommending simple next steps
In short: A DMA bridges the gap between strategy and execution so your marketing stays consistent, organized, and intentional.
Why Business Owners Hire a Digital Marketing Assistant
Most business owners don’t hire a DMA because they can’t do the work, they hire one because doing everything alone isn’t sustainable.
Here’s what usually brings them to me:
They’re overwhelmed by the “invisible work.”
Manual systems, scattered templates, disorganized content, and back-end chaos that eats up hours. They want relief and structure.
They’re burned out from creating content without a system.
Years of blogs, emails, and ideas… but no clarity on how to use any of it. They want consistent marketing without reinventing the wheel.
They want visibility without being glued to social media.
Trend-chasing isn’t sustainable. They want someone who can execute and keep things aligned with their brand voice.
Their systems are slowing them down.
DIY workflows in Dubsado, messy files, unclear processes. They want someone who knows how to build systems that support growth.
They want their brand to look polished and professional.
They’re tired of DIY websites and visuals that don’t reflect the quality of their work.
They want a partner, not a task-ticker.
Someone proactive. Someone experienced. Someone who can “get it” without needing constant direction.
Skills That Make a Great Digital Marketing Assistant
A digital marketing assistant blends creativity, organization, and marketing know-how. While every DMA has their own strengths, the most effective ones share a few key skills:
Strong Organization & Time Management: Keeping content, systems, and digital assets in order is core to the role. A good DMA can juggle multiple platforms, deadlines, and projects without things slipping through the cracks.
Clear Communication & Light Copywriting: Writing newsletters, captions, emails, and website updates requires a strong grasp of messaging and the ability to adapt to a client’s tone naturally.
Tech-Savviness: From Canva to Dubsado to email platforms, there’s always a new tool to learn. Great DMAs can pick up software quickly and troubleshoot without hand-holding.
A Creative Eye for Design: Not every DMA offers design support, but those who do can elevate a brand fast. A creative eye helps keep visuals consistent, polished, and on-brand.
Strategic Thinking: It’s not just about checking tasks off a list. A strong DMA can connect dots, spot gaps, and recommend next steps — helping clients make smarter decisions with their marketing.
Quick FAQs About Digital Marketing Assistants
What is a digital marketing assistant?
A digital marketing assistant is a marketing-focused professional who helps businesses manage, create, and organize their online presence — including content, social media, email marketing, website updates, branding, and back-end systems. They bridge the gap between strategy and execution so marketing stays consistent and effective.
Who needs a digital marketing assistant?
Business owners who feel overwhelmed by marketing, inconsistent online, or bogged down by back-end systems benefit most. If you have ideas, content, and goals but struggle with the time, structure, or follow-through, a digital marketing assistant can be the partner that keeps everything moving. I especially love working with creative service professionals like photographers, interior designers, and real estate agents.
How do I find a freelance digital marketing assistant who works with small businesses?
Look for someone who understands the realities of small, service-based businesses. That includes juggling client work, DIY systems, the pressure to be visible, and the need for support that is both strategic and hands-on.
A great freelance digital marketing assistant will:
Have experience working with solo or small teams
Adapt quickly to your brand voice and industry
Offer clear communication and proactive problem-solving
Support both the creative and technical sides of marketing
Show strong examples of past work or client testimonials
You can find them through:
Referrals from other business owners
Instagram (a surprising number of DMAs share real client work)
LinkedIn
Online business communities
Their own websites or blogs
If you’re looking for someone who blends design, content, organization, and systems — and actually understands the mental load of running a small business — that’s exactly the work I do.
Explore my digital marketing support services
The Support You Didn’t Know You Needed (But Absolutely Deserve)
When I look back at all the roles I’ve had — the admin work, the organizing, the designing, the project managing — it’s no surprise I ended up here. I’ve always been drawn to the creative and strategic pieces of running a business…the parts that make a brand feel polished, consistent, and aligned.
And that’s really what a digital marketing assistant brings to the table:
clarity, consistency, and the relief of not doing it all yourself.
Most business owners don’t need “another task-ticker.” They need someone who can step in, quickly understand the moving parts, and help carry the mental load of marketing so they can focus on the work only they can do.
If you’ve been feeling overwhelmed, disorganized, or stuck in the cycle of doing everything alone, you’re not failing. You’re just doing the work of an entire marketing team by yourself.
And you don’t have to.
If you’re ready to have support that blends creativity, strategy, design, and systems — I’d love to help!
