What does a marketing coordinator do?
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.
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 become a marketing coordinator, 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 marketing coordinators. Some coordinate content while others manage campaigns and events. Here are some of the most common roles of marketing coordinators:
- Digital marketing coordinator: These professionals 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 coordinator: These specialists focus on the company's overall brand identity. They are responsible for creating and maintaining brand standards and developing strategies to ensure the company’s public image is accurate and consistent.
- Event marketing coordinator: These individuals are in charge of organizing and executing 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: These professionals are responsible for gathering, analyzing and interpreting data to inform business decisions and help develop a marketing strategy.
Those are only a few types of marketing coordinators; others may specialize in such areas as 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. This allows you to understand marketing fundamentals and build skills to succeed in this role. Taking marketing courses online can also be beneficial.
In whichever program you choose, you should learn about marketing basics, such as market research, branding and product management. You 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 your degree. You can do this through:
- Internships: This is a great way to gain insight into the industry and build your 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 the right fit for you.
- Freelancing: Freelancing also provides an excellent opportunity to gain experience in marketing and build your portfolio. Whether creating content for blogs, designing graphics or developing marketing strategies, taking on small projects can help you hone your skills and add depth to your resumé.
- Entry-level positions in marketing agencies, corporations or nonprofits: Working with an established team will allow you to learn from your peers, build relationships and gain industry know-how.
Additionally, attending conferences, trade shows, educational seminars and other events related to marketing can help you network with professionals in the field, sharpen your skills and gain valuable insight.
Earn certifications
Though it is not required, earning industry certifications in digital marketing or social media may help your resumé standout. Certification is different from University of Phoenix certificates. Certifications, and their required exams, demonstrate that you have a comprehensive understanding of the evolving digital world and are equipped with the necessary skills for staying current and using trends to your 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 — If you’re looking to learn more about how to use social media to help you save time and generate leads, this course provides tutorials.
- HubSpot Academy Inbound Marketing Certification — This is a valuable way to show you know how to attract and convert leads through mindful content and tailored experiences.
These are just some of the certifications available in the industry, and the right one for you will depend on your goals and research.
Earn certifications
Though it is not required, earning industry certifications in digital marketing or social media may help your resumé standout. Certification is different from University of Phoenix certificates. Certifications, and their required exams, demonstrate that you have a comprehensive understanding of the evolving digital world and are equipped with the necessary skills for staying current and using trends to your organization’s advantage.
Popular certifications include:
- Meta Blue Print Meta Certification — This offers specific instruction and training in Facebook, Messenger, Instagram and WhatsApp marketing.
- Hootsuite Social Selling Certification — If you’re looking to learn more about how to use social media to help you save time and generate leads, this course provides tutorials.
- HubSpot Academy Inbound Marketing Certification — This is a valuable way to show you know how to attract and convert leads through mindful content and tailored experiences.
These are just some of the certifications available in the industry, and the right one for you will depend on your goals and research.
Find a job
Once you have the necessary skills, experience and 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 your 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 right for you?
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.
If you’re still on the fence about becoming a marketing coordinator, ask yourself 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?
If you answered yes to the questions above, then becoming a marketing coordinator may be right for you. However, even if you can’t say yes to them all right now, remember that you can always learn the skills you need for the role. With patience, commitment and a strong work ethic, you can better prepare for a role as a marketing coordinator.
Business programs at University of Phoenix
University of Phoenix offers several online business programs, including the Bachelor of Science in Business with a Marketing Certificate. In this program you’ll learn how to differentiate products and win consumers’ hearts and minds. You will also develop skills such as communication, leadership, management, operations, marketing analysis and marketing management.
The degree program prepares students for jobs such as advertising manager, marketing manager and brand manager.
Marketing is a fast-paced, exciting field with diverse roles and opportunities. And, at the heart of it all, are marketing coordinators. If you’re curious, collaborative and interested in constantly learning new things, this profession could be a great fit for your career.
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.
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