A day in the life of a marketing manager is very different from that of any other professional. This is because marketing managers are some of the most versatile and essential operatives in any organization, and a role in marketing management involves many different functions.
So, what’s it like to be a marketing manager? The answers to this question vary, according to many professionals. Regardless, you need many intersectional skills and requirements to lead a product marketing team. Read on to learn more about what a career as a marketing manager involves, including the average marketing manager salary.
What Is a Marketing Manager?
A marketing manager is a professional who serves as the bridge between an organization and its audience. Their primary duty is putting the word out about a product, brand, or company. They plan and coordinate the various aspects of an organization’s marketing strategy, from market research to content management and advertising.
What Does a Marketing Manager Do On a Daily Basis?
A marketing role mainly involves creating, analyzing, implementing, and reporting marketing initiatives. However, the industry, the size of the organization, and the job description determine the responsibilities of marketing managers. Below, we discuss some of the daily tasks that a marketing manager handles.
- Building and supervising marketing campaigns and their implementation. A marketing manager develops creative marketing and advertising campaigns. They formulate effective strategies to help the marketing team hit their targets. These strategies are integral to the success of campaigns, whether in advertising or content marketing.
- Allocating teams and resources to the entire marketing process. As a manager, you decide what projects members of the marketing team work on. Distributing the marketing budget to the various elements of the marketing process is key to success, and you’ll need tremendous budgetary skills to pull it off.
- Coordinating interdisciplinary teams. As a marketing manager, you will manage teams full of talented people. Your team may consist of professionals like writers, photographers, content marketers, and a blend of other marketing specialists. Your job is to make sure that internal teams work together to reach their set goals.
- Analyzing marketing reports and liaising with upper management. You outline and revise the key performance indicators (KPIs) relevant to marketing efforts. You will monitor the metrics and track the success of your team’s work. Reporting essential information about campaign performance and other statistics to upper management is critical to the company’s overall growth.
- Monitoring competitor activities and improving marketing strategies. Monitoring the activities of your competitors helps you identify their weaknesses and develop new strategies. You can tailor your company’s approach to take advantage of those weaknesses and improve your marketing strategy.
How Can I Become a Marketing Manager?
To become a marketing manager, you must also have strong content creation and marketing skills, communication skills, and organizational skills. It’s essential to have marketing experience and it’s preferable to have a management background.
You can attend bootcamps, take online courses, and obtain valid certifications to advance your career journey. These qualifications will help you lead creative teams and run great marketing campaigns in any marketing roles you get. The section below details some of these qualifications.
Marketing Manager Degrees
Many marketing manager positions often cite a college degree as a requirement. As such, you can work in this role with a bachelor’s degree in business administration and management, advertising, marketing, or finance.
Marketing Manager Online Courses
There are many online courses you can take to build your skills in marketing. You can sign up for general courses on product development, business to business (B2B) marketing, content marketing, business development, and project management. Courses in public relations, marketing research, and business law are also a big draw for many firms.
Marketing Manager Bootcamps
Bootcamps are an excellent resource if you want to become a marketing manager. Several bootcamps offer courses in digital marketing, product marketing, and content marketing. To get the best out of these courses, ensure you take them seriously, as bootcamps are generally intensive and rigorous.
Marketing Manager Certifications
There are numerous platforms to learn specific skills like search engine optimization, marketing, and campaign strategies. Google’s Ad Certification program and Amazon’s Advertising Certification Program are great choices to learn about digital marketing strategies.
How Can I Get a Job as a Marketing Manager?
Before you apply to management positions, take stock of your skills and experience. If you have a degree in business management, advertising, or marketing, you have an advantage. Review your resume and ensure to update it with relevant industry skills and experience.
In addition, consider joining industry organizations like the American Marketing Association. These organizations broaden your exposure and build your professional network. Also, seek opportunities within and outside the field, and stay informed about the latest trends. Below is a step-by-step guide on finding a job as a marketing manager.
Steps to Finding a Job as a Marketing Manager
- Gain Relevant Work Experience
Spend some time working in the marketing industry, either as a digital marketer, product marketer, business marketer, or in a similar role. Working in these positions hones your skills and helps you demonstrate your expertise.
- Upskill and Obtain Professional Certifications
Professional certifications are evidence of your knowledge and expertise in your field. Learn relevant marketing skills, especially in the digital space, like social media. Work to get certified in industry-relevant areas, which will push your career forward.
- Actively Participate in Marketing Campaigns
While working in a junior role, try to contribute to the planning and development of campaigns as effectively as possible. You can build and demonstrate your leadership skills by planning and coordinating smaller marketing campaigns or tasks for your team. This will attest to your abilities and boost your reputation before your move to senior management.
- Highlight Your Strengths on Your Resume and Cover Letter
When writing your resume, include your professional certifications, work experience, and educational qualifications. You should also highlight your responsibilities, contributions, and accomplishments in each of your previous roles. Craft an effective cover letter that emphasizes your value and demonstrates what an asset you can be to prospective employers.
- Apply for Marketing Management Roles
Proceed to apply for jobs that suit your skill set and match your experience level. You can take advantage of openings on job boards and company career pages. You should consider sending as many applications as possible, as long as they meet your preferences.
What Is the Average Salary of a Marketing Manager?
ZipRecruiter estimates that marketing managers earn an average annual pay of $66,085, although you could more or less. This amount depends on several factors, like experience level, area of specialization, and job location.
Salary for an Entry-Level Marketing Manager
Entry-level marketing managers earn around $43,221 annually, as detailed by ZipRecruiter. An entry-level job is excellent if you only have limited experience or a degree in a field closely related to marketing. An entry-level salary is greatly influenced by the minimal experience you hold and the nature of your responsibilities.
Salary for a Mid-Level Marketing Manager
Annual salaries for professionals in this category vary widely, but the average wages are around $63,077, according to ZipRecruiter. As you progress in your career and gain more experience, your value increases, as well as your remuneration.
Salary for a Senior-Level Marketing Manager
ZipRecruiter reports that the yearly earning for senior-level marketing managers is $99,730. To become a senior-level marketing manager, you should have a minimum of five years of experience. This indicates certain expectations and responsibilities specific to this senior role. Hence, the decent salary.
Job Outlook for a Marketing Manager
The US Bureau of Labor Statistics states that the employment rate for marketing managers will increase by around 10 percent over the next decade. This rate is faster than the average projection for most jobs, indicating that the marketing industry is future-proof.
Should I Become a Marketing Manager?
A career in marketing is an excellent fit for people who excel at planning and executing marketing campaigns. Furthermore, a managerial position in this field is favorable because it affords you many benefits, including job security. If you satisfy the job requirements, a promising career in marketing management lies ahead for you.
A Day in the Life of a Marketing Manager FAQs
As a marketing manager, your skills are applicable across a large spectrum of industries. Depending on your preference, you can work as a brand, digital, product, or content marketing manager. Overall, as more people continue to get involved with any form of trading, marketing managers are relevant everywhere.
To get a job in marketing management, you must have solid leadership, communication, and organizational skills. You must also be familiar with digital marketing techniques and general office skills, like time management and attention to detail.
No, if you have the required experience and skill set, you do not need a bachelor’s degree to work as a marketing manager. While many companies may prefer candidates with a college degree, work experience is often more valuable.
To attain marketing management skills, you can attend bootcamps and take essential social media management and content marketing courses. There are several professional certification programs you can complete that serve as proof of your expertise.
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