What is a Marketing Specialist? Job Description, Pros & Cons, Salary

A  Marketing specialist helps companies and brands understand what is being sold by analyzing market data at a local, regional or national level.  They determine what people are buying, what gaps there are within the market, what kind of people are buying which products, and how much money people are willing to spend on these products.  Market specialists analyze demographic data, buying and shopping habits, and look at competitors and their pricing to understand how best to market products and make a profit for the company.

  Marketing specialists usually have at least five years of experience in a project, company, advertisement, or marketing environments.  They may need a deep understanding of niche client markets, or they may need a mature understanding of B2B environments and business relationships.  They must be highly organized with highly skilled project management.  This means they will need excellent oral and written communication skills.

Is a marketing specialist higher than coordinator?

  Most companies want marketing specialists with experience in ROI analysis, profitability reporting, social media, direct marketing, financial analysis, creative development, and business case rationales.  They should understand business needs, strategic marketing, competitive environments, strategy development, vendor management, customer relationship building, and print production processes.

Where can a marketing specialist work?

  For some in-demand roles – particularly in large companies – there may be entry-level specialist roles (like social media coordinators, junior textwriters, email marketing assistants, and more) that you might be able to apply for.  You would be well placed for these types of specialist jobs early in your career if you had relevant experience through coursework, specialist degrees, certifications, volunteering, job related, internships, freelancing, or working on marketing for your side hustle.

  But novice marketers often start with a general support position (called “Marketing Coordinator”) that involves working on a variety of projects as part of a wider marketing team.  Gaining this range of experience can expose you to a variety of potential majors that you can then choose to pursue at higher levels, such as manager, senior manager, and manager.

  Marketing professionals develop marketing programs that enhance brand awareness, strengthen the company’s reputation, promote products, and increase sales.  Most people in the profession work as part of a team in which they may collaborate with internal departments – and often external organizations – to create and implement marketing campaigns.

  What marketing professionals have evolved as digital marketing expands.  Marketing specialists now have broader responsibilities that include social media, internet marketing, predictive analytics, and other market research.  As a result, their job description varies based on market focus, industry, company, and nature of the products and services being marketed.

  While many marketing specialist work full time for one company, others are independent contractors who are hired to work on specific projects.  Marketing professionals are responsible for tasks such as brainstorming for marketing campaigns, creating brand messages to improve brand awareness, researching and analyzing data, and developing sales presentations.  Areas of research include marketing trends, competition, new products, and pricing.  Marketing professionals use specially designed programs to promote targeted campaigns and help companies create relevant experiences to win business and achieve brand affinity and brand loyalty.

  Qualifications for Marketing Specialist

  Firms usually bring in marketing professionals with a proven set of marketing skills and experience.  Typically, a marketing professional acquires several years of experience in a variety of marketing roles before being appointed as ‘the specialists’.

  Most marketing professionals obtain at least a Bachelor’s degree in Marketing before entering this field.  This gives them the initial skill set they need to evaluate marketing campaigns and brainstorm new market strategies.

• Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Marketing, Communications, or any related field
• 2-5 years of experience in marketing
• Strong knowledge of various marketing and analysis tools such as Marketo, Google Analytics, CRM systems (such as Salesforce), and content management systems
• Excellent analytical skills and talent for data analysis
• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• Skilled in writing and editing content with attention to detail
• Strong skills in priority setting, organization and project management
• Ability to travel as necessary

Marketing Specialist Salary

  A junior marketing professional with less than one year of experience can expect to earn the average gross compensation (including tips, bonuses, and overtime pay) of $ 44,341 based on 363 salaries.  A senior marketing professional with 1-4 years of experience earns an average gross compensation of $ 49,977 based on 5,592 salaries.  A mid-career marketing professional with 5-9 years experience earns an average gross compensation of $ 55,819 based on 2,311 salary.  An experienced marketing professional with 10 to 19 years of experience earns an average total compensation of $ 59,801 based on 832 salaries.  In their later careers (20 years and over), employees receive an average total compensation of $ 66,428.

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  Responsibilities of Marketing Specialist

• Conduct research and analysis of a variety of marketing information, including market trends, pricing tables, competitor offers, product specifications, and demographic data
• Provides results to marketing teams to help direct the direction and activities of the department
• Developing new marketing campaigns and strategies based on a detailed analysis of market forces
• Work with creative teams to come up with branding ideas, ad copy, graphic designs and promotional materials
• Determine the appropriate media channels where marketing materials for each product or service can be delivered to the public
• Enforces brand marketing guidelines throughout each product to create a cohesive feel for each campaign
• Provides expert guidance and insight to marketing personnel throughout every project or campaign
• Acts as a go-to resource for the most up-to-date research and accurate market information
• Tracks results of marketing strategy closely and creates detailed reports with data analysis and other feedback
• Adjusts marketing plans as needed in response to data tracking efforts
• Reports results and results to senior management and line managers

How to become a Marketing Specialist

·         Get a bachelor’s degree

  Marketing professionals should generally have a bachelor’s degree in a related field, such as marketing, business, or advertising.  Degree programs such as the Bachelor of Online Marketing and Bachelor of Arts in Communication from the University of Maryville teach students the essential skills required to succeed in the role of a marketing specialist, which may enable them to enter the field of marketing with confidence, persuasion and digital savvy needed to create successful marketing campaigns and promotions.  Regardless of the major they choose, students must take courses that allow them to develop an understanding of basic marketing, communication and advertising principles.

·         Gain work experience

  Gaining relevant work experience is an important component of becoming a marketing professional, as employers typically look for candidates with several years of experience in the marketing field.

  Experience reinforces the marketing professional’s contributions to brainstorming sessions, presentation meetings, and presentations.  Marketing experience can be gained while earning a bachelor’s degree in communication by participating in internships and holding entry-level positions.  As they gain direct marketing experience, marketing professionals may qualify for positions with expanded responsibilities.

·         Obtain professional certificates

  Earning certifications in SEO / Search Engine Marketing, Sales, Digital Marketing, and Business Administration can help prepare you for the responsibilities of a marketing professional.

·         Prepare your CV.

 Make sure you include your highest level of education, relevant certifications, and level of experience.  Your employment history section should include the company name, employment dates, and a summary of your responsibilities, experiences, and accomplishments.  Preparing a premium professional resume with related information and credentials can help you find the job you want.

·         Start looking for work

After completing the required education, professional certifications, and appropriate work experience, check current job listings for your local area.  Apply to the jobs for which you are eligible, based on education and experience.  Employers value specialist expertise, a wide range of skills, and the ambition to take on all the responsibilities of the role.

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