No two businesses are exactly alike, and a savvy marketing professional will have a diverse set of skills that can be used to target the right audience with the right message at the right time to generate results. Technical skills, interpersonal skills, research skills and data analysis skills form the foundation of the marketer’s toolkit.
For those who want a foundation in business fundamentals and want to develop proficiencies in social media, consumer behavior, statistical analysis and strategic management, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville (SIUE) offers a fully online Bachelor of Science in Business Administration (BSBA) degree with a specialization in marketing. This program emphasizes the importance of social media and how it should be used to complement traditional marketing methods.
10 Key Marketing Skills
Social Media Marketing
When discussing the marketing skills that are most important, and most in demand, both Indeed and LinkedIn list social media marketing first. Optimizing the social media presence of a brand helps them engage with existing customers and attract potential customers. What employers are looking for though is more than someone to keep their social media accounts up to date, they’re also looking for marketers who are strategists and know how to use social media in conjunction with their other marketing efforts to achieve their goals.
Digital Content Creation and Management
Closely related to social media is content management for digital content on a company’s website. This includes content on the web pages themselves as well as blog posts featuring text, photos, charts, videos and other types of engaging and graphical content. It is important to provide fresh, frequent content that closely ties into the products, services and message a brand is needing to communicate. Familiarity with tools like content management systems (CMS) helps make these tasks easier.
Data Analysis
In order to gauge the effectiveness of any marketing effort, it’s important to be able to identify and analyze data regarding consumer behavior, traffic, engagement, demographics, leads and sales. Analyzing and interpreting data informs decision-making.
Project Management
Thinking of every marketing effort as a project, and organizing all the tasks, key contributors, deliverables, dates and analysis is critical for effective marketing management. Applying basic project management skills to every campaign, regardless of size, allows you to track your success and achieve your target goals.
Creativity
Creativity is essential to all aspects of design, video, marketing copy and the development of marketing ideas. Brainstorming skills help professionals innovate and deliver unique marketing solutions.
Communication Skills
There’s no career that can’t be enhanced by having excellent communication skills. Being able to coherently explain yourself and your vision, present ideas, keep others informed and create marketing pitches is critical. All of this requires excellent communication skills. Effective communication helps unite various key stakeholders behind a shared vision and plan.
Interpersonal Skills
Soft skills like active listening, collaboration, flexibility and negotiation are essential for convincing others to adopt new ideas and work together to achieve marketing goals. Learning how to work in a team environment and incorporate feedback is critical.
Leadership
Marketers often interact with company executives and upper-level managers when developing marketing strategies. Even if your position is not a leadership role, leadership skills will still help you manage projects, work effectively with clients, and collaborate with other team members.
Strategic Thinking and Problem-solving Skills
Having a cohesive strategy to coordinate marketing efforts across multiple platforms helps create a memorable customer experience, ultimately enhancing your brand. Effective problem-solving can aid in brainstorming new strategies while using data analytics to identify issues.
Customer Service Skills
Effective marketers are always keeping their customers’ needs at the forefront. Understanding who your customers are, what they need and how to engage them is a crucial part of customer service.
Becoming a Marketing Professional With a BSBA in Marketing
The online BSBA in Marketing program from SIUE will prepare you for a successful career in marketing, along with learning business fundamentals, systematic problem-solving and interpersonal skills. With an emphasis on social media, marketing metrics, creation of marketing plans and alignment of marketing strategies with organizational goals, you will acquire the skills needed to become a sought-after marketing professional.
The online format and multiple start dates allow for flexibility for those who are working while pursuing this degree. The affordable tuition is the same for students everywhere.
Learn more about Southern Illinois University Edwardsville’s online B.S. in Business Administration with a specialization in Marketing program.
