Marketing can be quite the powerful thing.
If you’re wondering just how powerful, consider the Pet Rock “toy” that made its creator a millionaire back in the mid ‘70s. We’re talking about Gary Dahl here, an advertising executive who managed to sell hundreds of thousands of rocks — yes, rocks — shipping them out in cardboard boxes bearing ventilation holes and straw bedding.
Indeed, clever marketing can make even the most unremarkable product appear irresistible and worthy of acquiring. If you find the idea intriguing and want to learn how these magic tricks are done, read on and see which marketing career entices you the most!
1. Digital marketer
What they do: A digital marketer is someone who has quite the varied skill set, as opposed to, let’s say, a content writer, whose expertise focuses solely on written copy. They’re normally responsible for creating and optimizing content, running online ads and monitoring their performance, and harnessing data to make their campaigns more impactful.
How to become: A degree in marketing (or a related field) is typically required, although some people start their career off with an internship. Digital marketers need to also invest in ongoing learning, as the industry keeps evolving.
What they earn: $68,230/year
2. Sales representative
What they do: Sales representatives are responsible for promoting and selling products or services on behalf of their employer. As the role primarily involves contact with potential buyers, excellent customer service skills, such as verbal communication, are essential. Excellent knowledge of the brand and product is also vital.
How to become: The minimum requirement for this role is typically a high school diploma, as on-the job training is usually provided. Previous work experience in a related role and certification, such as the Certified Professional Sales Person credential, can make you stand out.
What they earn: $58,450/year
3. Media buyer
What they do: A big chunk out of a brand or company’s marketing budget goes to paid advertising. Media buyers are the ones responsible for finding and purchasing ad space on different advertising channels, ensuring they get the best possible value for their money.
How to become: Typically, media buyers have a bachelor’s degree in marketing or advertising. As this role is more specialized than that of a digital marketer (who may very well also be responsible for media buying!), relevant work experience is also normally required.
What they earn: $67,620/year
4. Market researcher
What they do: Market researchers keep an eye on market trends, gathering and analyzing data on consumer preferences and behavior. By interpreting this type of information, they can help inform their brand’s approach and strategy, improve its products, and reach new audiences.
How to become: Market researchers can come from a number of educational backgrounds, including marketing, business administration, statistics or even social sciences. They must also be able to demonstrate analytical thinking skills, problem solving ability and computer literacy.
What they earn: $68,230/year
5. Market analyst
What they do: Generally speaking, market analysts carry out similar work as market researchers do. In some cases, though, their work may be more focused on financial data, involving, for example, offering advice on investment decisions.
How to become: Market analysts must be able to demonstrate a range of soft and technical skills such as attention to detail, computer skills and mathematical aptitude, including quantitative analysis.
What they earn: $68,230/year
6. Content writer
What they do: Though some content writers may also work as copywriters, the two roles are distinct. Typically, content writers are responsible for producing long-form copy, such as blog articles, with the intention to inform, educate or entertain a brand’s audience.
How to become: Content writers must have excellent attention to detail, a creative mind, and a knack for a knack for written word. In most cases, a bachelor’s degree in creative writing, English or a similar subject is required — but a strong portfolio can also make you stand out, even without a formal qualification.
What they earn: $73,150/year
7. Brand manager
What they do: A brand is more than just a company or product range: it’s a story that people can identify with and connect to. Brand managers are responsible for creating and preserving their brand’s personality through collaboration with other creatives and strategists. Their tasks can include customer relationship management, social media monitoring and data analysis.
How to become: A bachelor’s degree (at the minimum) in communications, business or marketing is typically required. A few years’ work experience in a related position, such as social media manager or market research analyst, is also normally required.
What they earn: $140,040/year
8. Product manager
What they do: Unlike “designer” and “writer”, two roles which everyone recognizes and requires no explanation for, “product manager” is a title whose meaning eludes many. A product manager is responsible for understanding customer needs, establishing a vision for a product, and guiding their teams throughout the product cycle, starting right at the development stage.
How to become: As with most other roles on this list, this one normally requires a bachelor’s degree in business, marketing, finance or a related subject. As far as skills go, product managers need to demonstrate excellent strategic thinking, management and communication skills.
What they earn: $140,040/year
9. SEO specialist
What they do: These marketing professionals’ work revolves around search engine optimization. If you’re not familiar with the term, it entails keeping up to date with search engine algorithm changes and best practices, so that digital content (like blog posts) is tweaked in a way that helps it rank higher or search results pages.
How to become: SEO specialists typically hold marketing degrees and undertake specialized training which allows them to develop the skills needed for their job — in areas like keyword research, link building and competitor analysis.
What they earn: $68,230/year
10. PR manager
What they do: With an average salary of over $129,000, PR managers have one of the highest paid positions on our list. But they also possibly have one of the most stressful! They’re hired to establish and maintain a favorable public image for their client or employer. They typically supervise teams who write public messages and oversee campaigns, in some cases being responsible for crafting these themselves.
How to become: A degree in public relations, communications or a related field is normally the minimum requirement. People skills, attention to detail and the ability to maintain level-headedness under pressure are all needed.
What they earn: $129,430/year
11. Account planner
What they do: Account planners find employment in both advertising agencies and in-house marketing departments. Their job is to carry out research and analysis until they understand exactly what process consumers go through, step by step, until they decide to make a purchase. Their insights help shape advertising and marketing campaigns.
How to become: There is no clear-cut path to becoming an account planner. A background in marketing, communications or social sciences may typically be preferred.
What they earn: $68,230/year
12. Social media manager
What they do: Social media managers are responsible for a company or brand’s online presence across different social media platforms. They decide what type of content gets posted and when, interact with customers to create a sense of community, and work with other content creators to promote their brand.
How to become: Social media managers sometimes begin their journey within the marketing world with an internship. Most of the time, they have majored in a field such as digital marketing or public relations.
What they earn: $68,230/year
13. Creative director
What they do: A creative director is in charge of a brand’s creative vision. You can think of them as the maestro, guiding the rest of the creative team, such as the motion designers, graphic designers and content creators, so their work best conveys the desired brand personality.
How to become: Creative directors will typically have lots of previous experience in the field of marketing, specifically in creative positions. A lot of the time, creative directors will have worked as designers or writers, yet have a varied skill set comprising leadership skills, too, such as decision making and delegation.
What they earn: $105,180/year
14. Email marketer
What they do: Email marketing remains one of the best ways for brands to build and maintain trust with their clients or customers. Email marketers are responsible for these interactions: they come up with strategies, put together newsletters (sometimes with the help of content writers and designers), and carry out tests to unlock insights and optimize their efforts further.
How to become: In some cases, email marketers may be responsible for creating the visuals and copy for the email campaigns themselves. Therefore, they may sometimes come from a content writing or design background. In most cases, they’ll have worked in a related role before, such as social media marketing.
What they earn: $68,230/year
15. Marketing coordinator
What they do: Marketing coordinators develop marketing campaigns and coordinate their execution, assisting marketing teams in achieving their goals, such as increasing brand awareness or driving more sales. Their role requires a combination of technical and soft skills, like data analysis as well as verbal and written communication.
How to become: Like most other roles on this list, becoming a marketing coordinator doesn’t require a master’s degree. An undergraduate degree in marketing or advertising, however, is typically preferred.
What they earn: $140,040/year
16. Digital strategist
What they do: Digital strategists oversee the creation and promotion of digital content in an effort to drive further brand awareness and engagement. Their role entails analyzing previous successes and failures, conducting market research, and monitoring competitors and their strategies.
How to become: A degree in communications, advertising, marketing or a related field is typically required. Relevant work experience is also typically a must, as it helps you develop a clear understanding of the various aspects of digital marketing needed for effective strategizing.
What they earn: $68,230/year
17. Marketing executive
What they do: Reporting to the marketing director or manager, these executives are responsible for creating and implementing marketing initiatives to promote a company’s products, services or events. Their role combines various tasks that differ in nature: from performing market research and developing marketing plans to scheduling digital content and analyzing its performance.
How to become: Depending on how large their marketing department is, marketing executives may need to possess excellent copywriting ability, creative thinking and analytical skills, to name a few. A bachelor’s degree is also typically required, in a subject like marketing or business.
What they earn: $68,230/year
18. Marketing assistant
What they do: A marketing assistant typically works alongside a marketing executive or manager, helping with day-to-day activities. Their role may entail scheduling digital content across different platforms, creating performance reports, and assisting in the development and implementation of marketing campaigns.
How to become: The position of marketing assistant is an entry-level role that’s sometimes offered to high school or college graduates upon completing an internship. Though not always a requirement, previous experience or a relevant degree can set you apart from other candidates.
What they earn: $68,230/year
19. Communications director
What they do: Communications directors oversee their company’s internal and external communications. From newsletters and press releases to marketing campaigns, it’s their job to ensure that the communications department’s efforts result in clear, consistent and compelling messaging.
How to become: Before you can advance to the role of communications director, you need to have worked in a related role, such as marketing coordinator or PR specialist, for several years. Leadership skills such as decision making, reliability and adaptability are also essential.
What they earn: $67,440/year
20. Account manager
What they do: As far as marketing jobs go, account managers have one of the most ludicrous ones, according to data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics. That’s reflected in the amount of responsibility they have. Account managers have direct communication with company clients and wield total command over a client’s account with the company.
How to become: Account managers must be excellent communicators, which includes mastering soft skills such as active listening, proactivity and empathy. They often have a background in business, marketing or communications, as well as experience in other customer service roles.
What they earn: $127,830/year
21. Content marketer
What they do: Content marketers are responsible for planning, creating, refining and publishing content. They hold a position that requires both creativity and strategic thinking, as their role begins with brainstorming and ends with analyzing the performance of past content to optimize new campaigns.
How to become: Content marketers usually hold a degree in marketing, graphic design, creative writing or a related field. They’re normally required to know how to use a range of software, including content management platforms, project management software, and image- and copy-editing tools.
What they earn: $68,230/year
22. Event marketer
What they do: Representing a product or service at an event can help raise brand awareness, attract new customers, and improve existing customer engagement. Event marketers are responsible for organizing such marketing events — or identifying relevant upcoming events and signing up to participate — in order to get their product in front of as many eyes as possible.
How to become: A bachelor’s degree in marketing, communications or public relations is normally required for anyone looking for a job in event marketing. Like most marketing roles, excellent verbal and written communication is vital for this position.
What they earn: $140,040/year
23. Product marketer
What they do: A product marketer is a generalist role, meaning it can build your skills and knowledge in multiple ways. You’ll essentially be driving demand for a product, be it a digital or physical one, using different methods: consumer research, relationship building, creating marketing campaigns, and more.
How to become: Excellent communication skills, problem solving ability and creative thinking are some of the abilities you’ll need to thrive in this profession. A degree in marketing, advertising or a related field is also typically required.
What they earn: $140,040/year
24. Marketing manager
What they do: Marketing managers are in charge of coordinating and overseeing the marketing department’s efforts. They’re the ones who typically brainstorm and develop marketing campaigns, liaising with the content production, ad creation and market research teams, so it all comes together seamlessly. The role also entails monitoring the performance of both organic and paid content, understanding the data, and managing their client’s marketing budget.
How to become: The minimum requirement to work as a marketing manager is, in most cases, a bachelor’s degree in advertising, marketing, communications or a related subject. Previous work experience is also a must, as you’ll be holding the reins to the marketing team’s efforts.
What they earn: $140,040/year
25. Copywriter
What they do: We’ve seen how content writers are typically responsible for creating informative or entertaining long-form copy. Copywriters, on the other hand, write short-form copy that helps drive sales, such as (online or offline) ad copy, slogans and taglines, billboard copy, and TV and radio commercial scripts.
How to become: Copywriters typically hold a bachelor’s degree in English, creative writing or a similar subject. When applying for copywriting roles, a portfolio of work can often be required; being asked to complete a writing assessment as part of the hiring process is also not uncommon.
What they earn: $73,150/year
Final thoughts
In an interconnected world, where companies — big or small — can get their products or services in front of audiences halfway across the world from them, clever marketing can play a decisive role in becoming successful or watching your brand fail.
As we’ve seen, many of these positions require marketers to have well-rounded skill sets, with the ability to think creatively and critically being, perhaps, the most important one.
So, what about you? Do you think you have what it takes to work in one of these roles? Share your thoughts with us in a comment below!
This article is a complete update of an earlier version originally published on January 23, 2019.