How to become a marketing coordinator
Written by Michael Feder
Reviewed by Kathryn Uhles, MIS, MSP, Dean, College of Business and IT
Marketing coordinators play a vital role in an organization’s success. But what do marketing coordinators do 
exactly? In a nutshell, they work closely with the rest of the marketing team to develop strategies for launching campaigns, conducting market research and executing projects such as advertising or event planning. They are also responsible for tracking consumer data and regularly reporting key takeaways to their superiors.
Marketing coordinator skills
Aside from technical and creative skills needed to succeed in this job, marketing coordinators must have excellent organization, communication and problem-solving skills. In addition, they should be detail-oriented, able to prioritize tasks and stay up to date on industry trends. They must also be comfortable using digital media tools like analytics software and social media outlets.
To pursue a career in this field, one must understand the business landscape, market research principles and consumer behavior. Therefore, a business degree, marketing degree or certificate can be an asset in this field.
Types of marketing coordinators
There are many types of coordinators in marketing. Some work with content while others manage campaigns and events. Here are some of the most common marketing areas that employ coordinators:
- Digital marketing: Digital marketing coordinators are responsible for creating and executing digital marketing campaigns. They must understand search engine optimization (SEO), web analytics and other digital tools related to social media, content strategy and email marketing.
- Brand management: Coordinating brand marketing efforts focuses on a company's overall brand identity. This includes creating and maintaining brand standards and developing strategies to ensure the company’s public image is accurate and consistent.
- Event marketing: Event coordinators organize and execute events such as conferences, trade shows, educational seminars and product launches. This role requires excellent organizational skills and experience with event planning.
- Marketing research coordinator: This is the area of marketing responsible for gathering, analyzing and interpreting data to inform business decisions and help develop a marketing strategy.
These are only a few types of specializations. Other areas include retail, public relations or digital media.
How to become a marketing coordinator
Marketing is an everchanging landscape, but the path to becoming a coordinator is relatively straightforward. Here’s a quick guide on how to get started.
Earn a degree
Earning a degree in marketing or another business-related field is a first step to becoming a marketing coordinator. A degree program teaches marketing fundamentals and builds skills for this role. Taking individual marketing courses online can also be beneficial.
Marketing basics include market research, branding and product management. Students should also gain an understanding of digital marketing tactics like SEO and social media advertising.
Gain professional experience
Gaining professional experience is the next step while or after earning a degree. Here are some ways to get experience:
- Internships: This is a great way to gain insight into the industry, build skills and network. Internship programs are usually short-term commitments of three to six months, but they’re also a way to learn more about the role and decide whether it is a good fit.
- Freelancing: Freelancing also provides an excellent opportunity to gain experience in marketing and build a portfolio. Whether creating content for blogs, designing graphics or developing marketing strategies, taking on small projects can help hone skills and add depth to a resumé.
- Entry-level positions in marketing agencies, corporations or nonprofits: Working with an established team in a marketing agency, corporation or nonprofit is a good place to learn from peers, build relationships and gain industry know-how.
- Industry events: Attending conferences, trade shows, educational seminars and other events related to marketing are opportunities to network with professionals in the field, sharpen skills and gain valuable insight.
Earn certifications
Though it is not required, earning industry certifications in digital marketing or social media may help a resumé standout. Certification is different from academic certificates. Certifications, and their required exams, demonstrate a comprehensive understanding of the evolving digital world and verify the necessary skills for staying current and using trends to an organization’s advantage.
Popular certifications include:
- Meta Blueprint Meta Certification — This offers specific instruction and training in Facebook, Messenger, Instagram and WhatsApp marketing.
- Hootsuite Social Selling Certification — Tutorials about how to use social media that teach how to help save time and generate leads.
- HubSpot Academy Inbound Marketing Certification — How to attract and convert leads through mindful content and tailored experiences.
These are just some of the certifications available in the industry. Choosing others can be based on specific goals and research.
Find a job
After developing the necessary skills, experience and optional certification, it’s time to find a job. There are plenty of resources out there for this as well, such as:
- Job boards — Sites such as Indeed.com or LinkedIn® are popular ways to search for jobs.
- Career websites — Professional career websites provide job postings for specific fields, such as marketing or digital media.
- Social media networks — Use social networks to connect with professionals in the field and inquire about job openings.
- Professional associations — Join professional industry organizations, like the American Marketing Association , and attend their events for networking opportunities.
Is becoming a marketing coordinator a good fit?
Venturing into a new career can be intimidating. That’s why it’s important to take the necessary steps to prepare for a given role; doing so can lessen job search and interview anxiety.
Those still on the fence about becoming a marketing coordinator can ask themselves these questions:
- Is there enough demand for this job?
- Do this role’s responsibilities align with my skills and interests?
- Is there room for advancement and, if so, does that next step sound interesting to me?
Education for marketing coordinators
Interested in becoming a marketing coordinator? University of Phoenix offers several online business programs , including a Bachelor of Science in Business with a Marketing Certificate.
Contact University of Phoenix for more information.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
A graduate of Johns Hopkins University and its Writing Seminars program and winner of the Stephen A. Dixon Literary Prize, Michael Feder brings an eye for detail and a passion for research to every article he writes. His academic and professional background includes experience in marketing, content development, script writing and SEO. Today, he works as a multimedia specialist at University of Phoenix where he covers a variety of topics ranging from healthcare to IT.
ABOUT THE REVIEWER
Currently Dean of the College of Business and Information Technology, Kathryn Uhles has served University of Phoenix in a variety of roles since 2006. Prior to joining University of Phoenix, Kathryn taught fifth grade to underprivileged youth in Phoenix.
This article has been vetted by University of Phoenix's editorial advisory committee.
Read more about our editorial process.