Group of people working on a digital media design

What Do You Need to Become a Digital Media Producer?

In today’s digital age, the role of a digital media producer is crucial for businesses to succeed. Digital media involves creating content through audio, video, websites, and social media platforms. Depending on the scale of a project, the content created can be for a wide range of audiences both locally, nationally, and internationally.

What is the role of a Digital Media Producer?

Digital media producers create and manage audiovisual content for various audiences. They can work in various fields, including entertainment, marketing, and public service. Many digital media producers supervise a team of content creators, graphic designers, programmers, and editorial staff to develop a project’s direction.

As a digital media producer, you can have a variety of different responsibilities, such as:

Determining which staff you want to hire and what role they will play
Ensuring that media projects meet deadlines for companies or clients
Inquiry about entertainment projects to determine which ones have the potential to be successful
Purchase entertainment project rights
Connect with the director of a media project to determine the project vision, timeframe, and budget
Assist with arranging the funding of a project
Maintain an organized tracking system on a media project to ensure timelines are being met
Planning and overseeing the production schedule
Oversee the reviewing of the content being created and guide as needed

Traditionally, within a job description for a digital media producer, some of the requirements, qualifications, duties, and responsibilities include:

Overseeing development, which can include the project scope, vendor selection, and delivery of a completed project
Tracking a team’s production to ensure they’re meeting deadlines within the budget
Provide communication to all departments involved in a project to ensure the transitions run smoothly throughout the project process
Determine a budget and/or timeline for a project
Ability to have a flexible schedule
Project management experience

Steps to Become a Digital Media Producer

The path to becoming a digital media producer can vary for each person. While formal education is not a requirement, completing a digital media production program can give you a competitive advantage in the industry.

For example, Be On Air offers an 8-month* digital media production program that helps students develop critical thinking skills while providing hands-on training. The curriculum covers essential topics, including digital branding, storytelling, imaging, and real-world experiences. Throughout the program, you will learn about:

Social media and digital sales tools
Digital web production
Commercial writing and production
Branding and imaging in social media
Entertainment and media production
Audio and video production

Additionally, industry experts teach the curriculum of Be On Air’s digital media production program. It includes lab and studio coursework, hands-on internship opportunities, real-world case study analysis, an applied capstone project with a demo reel, and off-site media remotes.

Skills of a Digital Media Producer

A digital media producer must have dynamic skill sets to excel within the field. Some of the most common skill sets include:

Budgeting: A crucial part of a digital media producer’s role is managing the project budget effectively. This involves figuring out the most efficient and appropriate ways to allocate funds, ensuring you can deliver the highest quality finished project possible.

Communication: As a digital media producer, it is essential to communicate effectively with clients, teams, and directors. By developing strong verbal and written communication skills, you can minimize confusion and ensure everyone understands the project.

Ability to Delegate: A digital media producer often faces multiple demands during a project, and delegating tasks to meet deadlines and stay within budget is essential.

Ability to Edit: A key component of a digital media producer’s role is their ability to provide guidance or advice to the employee responsible for editing the final project.

Organizing and Planning: As projects are brought to life, a digital media producer is responsible for organizing and planning. This allows a tentative timeline for the project and determines when teams will be needed.

Time Efficiency: Digital media producers often experience moments when a project runs behind schedule. Therefore, it’s essential to be an effective time manager to ensure that the project stays on track.

Analytic Mindset: An essential aspect of being a digital media producer is having an analytical framework to assess projects and situations as they arise and identify the best way forward.

Career Opportunities within Digital Media

The digital media industry is a vast field, and as a result, having a digital media production program completed will allow you to pursue a career in many different areas, including radio, TV, audio production, social media, copywriting, podcasts, graphic design, web design, and advertising.

According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual salary for individuals in media and communication occupations ranges from $48,060 to $66,320**. Additionally, it is projected that between 2023 and 2033, there will be approximately 109,500 job openings each year in these fields**.

Benefits of a Digital Media Production Program Through Be On Air

Pursuing Be On Air’s digital media production program offers numerous benefits and advantages in the field, including:

You will gain hands-on experience by working in real-world studio environments.
As a student in the program, you will have the opportunity to participate in internships, which can enhance your resume and improve your job prospects in the industry.
The curriculum is designed to align with current industry trends, setting you up for success as a digital media producer.
The program emphasizes real-life career preparation, helping you determine the right career path and role upon completion.

Are you ready to become a digital media producer?

Regardless of your path to becoming a digital media producer, you have the potential for a successful and rewarding career. By enrolling in a digital media production program like the one Be On Air offers, you are positioning yourself for a competitive edge in the industry. The possibilities are endless, so act now and start your journey to becoming a digital media producer.

Resources/Additional Information

*Program length when completed in normal time.

** https://www.bls.gov/ooh/media-and-communication/home.htm

https://beonair.erstaging.site/programs/digital-media-production

https://www.indeed.com/career-advice/finding-a-job/what-is-media-producer

https://www.ziprecruiter.com/career/Digital-Producer/What-Is-How-to-Become

https://www.indeed.com/career-advice/career-development/what-is-digital-media