How to become a Marketing Manager

Marketing managers are in charge of all strategic marketing activities, from ideation to execution stages, aimed at increasing brand visibility, satisfying consumer needs and maximising profits. They are further involved in monitoring, analyzing, and fine-tuning the performance of these activities. Their services are in demand in a variety of industries as they are vital to any company's success, from hospitality and healthcare to retail and finance. A marketing manager's primary goal is to promote the company or its product/service, which they do by studying the target audience, analyzing trends, and developing tailored marketing strategies to meet the marketing goals. They are also responsible for handling business leads as well as managing the marketing staff.

Attracting new customers as well as retaining existing customers of the company or its specific product/service is the responsibility of the marketing manager. They handle the company's identity on the market, that is, how the company communicates with its consumers and the market in general. Combining their creativity and business sense, a marketing manager plays an influential role in the effectiveness of the company.

Types of Marketing Managers

1. Digital Marketing Manager: Overseeing digital marketing strategies, including SEO, social media, email marketing, and online advertising.
2. Brand Manager: Responsible for developing and maintaining the brand's image, positioning, and consistency across all marketing efforts.
3. Product Marketing Manager: Focused on promoting specific products or services, conducting market research, and creating marketing campaigns.
4. Content Marketing Manager: In charge of content strategy, creating valuable content, and ensuring it aligns with the brand's goals and resonates with the target audience.
5. Social Media Manager: Managing social media platforms, engaging with followers, and implementing marketing campaigns.
6. Email Marketing Manager: Specializing in email campaigns, managing subscriber lists, and optimizing email marketing performance.
7. Public Relations (PR) Manager: Handling the organization's public image, managing media relations, and crisis communication.
8. Advertising Manager: Overseeing advertising campaigns across various channels, such as print, TV, radio, and digital platforms.
9. Market Research Manager: Conducting market research, analyzing consumer behaviour, and providing insights for marketing decisions.
10. Event Marketing Manager: Planning and executing events to promote products or the brand and managing event marketing strategies.
11. Retail Marketing Manager: Focused on marketing efforts specific to retail environments, such as in-store promotions and visual merchandising.
12. Affiliate Marketing Manager: Managing affiliate partnerships and tracking performance to drive sales and brand visibility.
13. Influencer Marketing Manager: Collaborating with influencers and managing influencer marketing campaigns to reach target audiences.
14. Growth Hacker: Specializing in rapid experimentation and creative marketing tactics to drive rapid business growth.

Here are some steps to becoming a Marketing Manager

1. Obtain a Relevant Education: Earn a Bachelor's degree in Marketing, Business Administration, or a related field. A solid educational foundation provides essential marketing knowledge and principles.
2. Gain Work Experience: Start in entry-level marketing positions or internships to gain practical experience. Work on marketing campaigns, conduct market research and learn about various marketing channels.
3. Develop Strong Communication Skills: Effective communication is vital for marketing managers. Hone your written and verbal communication skills to convey ideas and strategies.
4. Specialize and Continuously Learn: Focus on a specific marketing area, such as digital marketing, content marketing, or brand management. Stay updated on industry trends and advancements.
5. Showcase Leadership and Analytical Abilities: Aspire to leadership roles and showcase your ability to lead marketing teams. Additionally, develop analytical skills to measure campaign success and make data-driven decisions.

While the specific duties associated with the position of a marketing manager may differ with regards to the organization and the industry, the typical responsibilities include:

• Develop and maintain strategic relationships with the suppliers, vendors, major agencies, media outlets
• Monitor and approve all materials utilized for marketing, including offline and online elements 
• Plan, design, and organise marketing strategies and ensure successful implementation of the same
• Continually monitor and evaluate the performance of the marketing strategies being utilized in relation to the goals and assess customer behaviour to guide further actions
• Analyze the marketability of the product/ service through product research, identify its target audience as well as evaluate what the competitors offer
• Conduct market research to analyze consumer needs and current trends as well as appropriate approaches and platforms to reach the target audience, increase brand awareness
• Deploy appropriate marketing strategies to generate business leads and drive traffic
• Determine product placement as well as manage launch campaigns and channels for the distribution of the same
• Prepare the marketing budgets and manage the allocation of funds, develop pricing strategies for the product/service, generate reports for the same 
• Manage the marketing team and PR agencies
• Coordinate and collaborate with product development, sales, and finance departments 
• Experiment with new marketing opportunities to promote the brand

For a marketing manager, impeccable communication and decision-making skills, as well as a flair for creativity and innovation, are at the core of their job. Additionally, they should have sound knowledge of marketing principles and specific industry requirements. A marketing manager shall be required to exhibit effectiveness in communicating with customers, negotiating with vendors, collaborating with professionals from other departments, as well as managing the marketing staff. They must possess the ability to train, supervise, and manage a team to ensure coordinated efforts to move toward the marketing goals.

Digital skills including online advertising and social media marketing strategies have become increasingly crucial skills for marketing managers to excel in their job. Since methods of marketing have been evolving rapidly with the advancement of technology and increased product competition, it is of utmost importance for a marketing manager to stay updated with the current industry standards, emerging trends and continually enhance their skills. Further, time and resource management abilities are essential for these professionals as is their ability to manage and record data.

Salary of a Marketing Manager is as follows :

• Minimum Monthly Income (Marketing Manager): Entry-level Marketing Managers in India typically earn a monthly income ranging from approximately INR 40,000 to INR 70,000 as they begin their managerial roles, supervising marketing teams, assisting with strategic planning, and contributing to campaign execution.
• Maximum Monthly Income (Marketing Manager): Experienced and highly skilled Marketing Managers, especially those who have led successful marketing campaigns, demonstrated leadership in driving revenue growth, or managed large teams, can earn a maximum monthly income of INR 1,00,000 to INR 2,00,000 or more, depending on the scope of their responsibilities and the success of their marketing efforts.
• Annual Income (Marketing Manager): The annual income of a Marketing Manager varies based on factors such as experience, industry demand, the size of the organization, and the impact of their marketing strategies. Annual earnings may range from INR 4,80,000 to INR 24,00,000 or higher for established managers who consistently deliver effective marketing initiatives, lead cross-functional teams, and contribute to brand expansion.
• Highest Earning Opportunities and Scope: Marketing Managers who specialize in areas such as digital marketing, brand management, product launches, or market research often command higher earnings due to their expertise in driving impactful campaigns and strategic initiatives. Managers who excel in analyzing market trends, optimizing marketing budgets, and fostering innovative strategies to achieve business goals can unlock enhanced earning potential. The scope for Marketing Managers is promising as businesses continue to recognize the critical role of effective marketing in driving customer engagement and revenue growth. With the evolution of digital platforms, data analytics, and personalized marketing approaches, skilled Marketing Managers play a pivotal role in shaping a brand's market positioning and driving its success. This leadership role offers significant opportunities for strategic decision-making, team management, and contributing to an organization's overall growth.

Entrance exam is a gateway to seek admission in college/institute of your choice. Mostly, all professional courses select students through percentile scored by them. So it is important to prepare for exams and be aware of various exams that are conducted to grant admission.

Diploma Level

Diploma level exams are conducted by every state separately. Polytechnics of each state conduct these courses and students become job ready after pursuing diploma from polytechnics.

Undergraduate Level

• DU JAT
• IPMAT 2018
• NPAT 2018
• Symbiosis Entrance Test (SET)
• AIMA UGAT 2018
• GGSIPU CET BBA 2018

Postgraduate Level

• CAT (Common Admission Test)
• AIMA-MAT (Management Aptitude Test)
• XAT (Xavier Aptitude Test)
• IIFT (Indian Institute Of Foreign Trade)
• SNAP (Symbiosis National Aptitude Test)
• NMAT By GMAC
• CMAT (Common Management Admission Test)
• IBSAT (IBS Aptitude Test)
• MICAT (MICA Admission Test)
• MAH - MBA/MMS CET (Maharashtra MBA Common Entrance Test)

Doctoral Course

• Research management aptitude test R-MAT
• Symbiosis University Ph.D entrance examination
• UGC NET
• XIMB-RAT (Research Aptitude Test)
• IIIT Delhi PhD Admission Test
• Faculty of Management Studies (FMS), Delhi University PhD entrance test
• Aligarh Muslim University PhD Entrance exam
• Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU) Entrance Exam

1. Technology: Technology companies hire Marketing Managers to promote software products, hardware devices, and tech solutions.
2. Consumer Goods and Retail: Marketing Managers in this industry work on marketing campaigns for consumer products and retail brands.
3. Financial Services: Financial institutions employ Marketing Managers to market banking, insurance, and investment products.
4. Healthcare: Marketing Managers in healthcare promote medical services, pharmaceutical products, and health-related campaigns.
5. Automotive: Automotive companies hire Marketing Managers to market vehicles and automotive accessories.
6. Hospitality and Travel: Marketing Managers in this industry work on marketing travel destinations, hotels, and tourism services.
7. E-commerce: E-commerce platforms employ Marketing Managers to drive online sales and customer engagement.
8. Education: Educational institutions hire Marketing Managers to promote courses, educational programs, and student recruitment.
9. Media and Entertainment: Marketing Managers in this industry promote movies, TV shows, music, and other entertainment content.
10. Food and Beverage: Food and beverage companies hire Marketing Managers to market food products and beverages.
11. Real Estate: Marketing Managers in real estate promote property developments and real estate services.
12. Health and Wellness: Companies in the health and wellness sector hire Marketing Managers for fitness products, health services, and wellness campaigns.