How to Become a Marketing Manager

5 Things you need to become a marketing manager

1. Earn an education - start with earning a bachelor's degree

   To become a marketing manager, start with getting a 4-year bachelor's degree in marketing or business administration. This degree prepares students for a dynamic marketing environment by introducing the fundamentals of traditional business practices like communication, leadership, management, financial management, and strategic planning. These courses can also introduce you to data analytics, SEO, content management, multimedia, press relations, and social media.

2. Get some work experience – start with an entry-level role

   To become a marketing manager, you will usually begin with an entry-level job. You may be asked to take on administrative or research-oriented tasks surrounding marketing events, social media, lead generation, small writing projects, or project coordination.

3. Acquire the necessary skills - to improve your qualifications for the job

   Marketing managers need to have excellent communication skills to start. Having strong business writing skills to create compelling content is critical. Other skills necessary for a marketing manager are marketing communications, search engine optimization, marketing automation, press relations, blogs, social media, analytics, digital advertising, and design.

4. Join professional marketing associations - to network and learn with marketing colleagues

   Many organizations specialize in marketing topics, and these memberships add credibility and can improve your credentials and qualifications.

5. Consider getting certified – to help improve your salary and your likelihood of getting hired.

   Certifications for marketing managers can help boost your salary and differentiate you from other candidates. These certifications are often obtained through a vendor of marketing software, for example Salesforce. Many marketing managers are adept at using one marketing tool. Still, the more you know, the better your credentials look to hiring managers.

How long does it take to become a marketing manager?

4 to 6 years of education. A bachelor's, or 4-year undergraduate degree, in marketing or business administration, is usually required to become a marketing manager. Some employers may prefer a master's degree with 1- 2 more years of study required.

5 years of experience as a marketing individual contributor is a typical requirement for marketing manager jobs as well as some supervisory experience if you will be managing a team of other marketing professionals.

What education, certification, or license is required to be a marketing manager?

Employers typically require marketing managers to have a bachelor's degree in marketing or business administration. Employers sometimes prefer a master's degree, which requires one to two years more of study.

Certifications are optional. If a company uses Marketing software, certification from that vendor might be required or can give you an edge over other candidates.

There are no licensing requirements to be a marketing manager.

What skills are required to be a successful marketing manager?

Marketing managers cover a wide array of duties within a company. Therefore, the more skills you have demonstrated, the better you will look to a potential hiring manager. Here are some of the key skills that are needed and that are used to screen applications. Without some of these skills, your application could be excluded by automated systems if the specific expertise is not recognized.

• Digital advertising
• Search engine optimization
• Social media
• Marketing automation/technology
• Email marketing
• Writing and communications
• Project and time management
• Ability to execute
• Fast learner
• Negotiation
• Branding and Storytelling

What does a marketing manager do?

A marketing manager directs or coordinates the marketing activities and programs for the organization. A marketing manager creates and implements demand generation programs for products and services, monitors marketplace trends and competitor's offerings, coordinates market research projects, selects and manages ongoing relationships with vendors. Additionally, the marketing manager may oversee advertising, events, trade shows, and public relations.

The marketing manager might also manage a team in the day-to-day performance of their jobs and ensures that project/department milestones/goals are met and adhere to approved budgets.

What does a marketing manager earn on average?

Are there many job opportunities for a marketing manager?

See the job postings for marketing manager jobs

What kind of career growth opportunities are there for a marketing manager?

These are many unique types of marketing manager jobs, each may specialize in marketing for a certain industry, location, or product. Other paths focus on specializations within the general marketing discipline. Here are some other marketing jobs to explore.

Database Marketing Manager, Digital Marketing Manager, E-commerce Marketing Manager, International Marketing Manager, Regional Marketing Manager, Healthcare Sales/Marketing Manager, Managed Care Marketing Manager, Slot Marketing Manager, Category Manager

Helpful tips to become a successful marketing manager.

Joining a professional organization can help you to make contacts with other members in your field and may offer additional educational opportunities like seminars, conferences, and publications.

Here's a sample list:

• American Marketing Association (AMA) - this association members are marketers who work, teach, and study in the field who have a passion for advancing the industry.
• Association of National Advertisers (ANA) - this membership consists of client-side marketers, marketing solution providers, and non-profit members.
• Association of International Product Marketing and Management (AIPMM) - a professional association of product managers, brand managers, product marketing managers, and other related fields,
• Association of Network Marketing Professionals (ANMP) - a worldwide organization of distributors, company owners, executives, and strategic partners of the Network Marketing community.
• Legal Marketing Association (LMA) - this association brings together all types of industry specialists from firms of all sizes. Consultants and vendors, lawyers, marketers from other professions, and marketing student
• PromaxBDA - a global association for the entertainment marketing industry,
• Society for Marketing Professional Services (SMPS) - marketing and business development professionals from architectural, engineering, planning, interior design, construction, and specialty consulting firms located throughout the United States and Canada.