Depending on the type of business you are in, there are many different positions within the marketing department. These roles include, but are not limited to: Interruptive Marketing, Outbound Marketing, E-commerce, and Direct Marketing.
Direct marketing
Typical direct marketing roles involve promoting brands, products and services. They may also be involved in special events or campaigns. The role involves creating and promoting in-store displays.
Direct marketing can be used to improve customer satisfaction and build a strong image. Its main aim is to build sales volume. The campaign is usually a part of a larger integrated marketing program.
To work as a direct marketer, you need to be commercially aware and have the skills to implement successful response campaigns. Some employers will require a relevant degree or BTEC HND.
Direct marketing campaigns involve a wide range of activities, including telemarketing, eDM’s, e-mails and social ads. Its key advantage is that its consumer response is measurable. For example, a company can determine its success by how many consumers call or use a coupon.
Direct marketing campaigns are often a part of an integrated marketing plan, which includes public relations and sales promotions. This allows a brand to tweak its strategy without the need to hire middlemen.
For a start, a direct mail coordinator is responsible for maintaining high-quality data and monitoring business requirements. The coordinator then prepares weekly and monthly reports. He or she also analyzes responses to the emails, and recommends strategies to help improve the performance of different direct marketing activities.
The direct marketing role also involves working with media sellers and designers. This includes recommending the most effective media for a specific campaign.
E-commerce marketing
Regardless of what business model your company operates under, an e-commerce marketing role is becoming increasingly important. This role plays a critical role in driving revenue and brand awareness.
Whether you are a small start-up or a multinational, an e-commerce marketer is directly responsible for increasing brand awareness and driving sales. As a result, it’s essential that you have a strong knowledge of the e-commerce ecosystem, including dropshipping, white label manufacturing, and B2B and B2C e-commerce.
You may be asked to use paid advertising, such as pay-per-click (PPC) campaigns and display ads. These can help you target your audience and increase your conversion rate. It is also important that you have a good knowledge of analytics tools, such as Google Analytics and Facebook Business Manager. Using these tools will give you a better understanding of your customers and how to optimize your marketing campaigns.
You must be able to coordinate with teams, as well as manage monthly budgets and reporting. This role requires you to have a solid knowledge of web analytics, as well as best practices for usability and inventory management.
As an e-commerce marketing manager, you are in charge of developing marketing plans and strategies. You also coordinate with web developers and designers to improve the user experience of your website. This position involves a lot of research and data analysis to help you determine the best strategies for your e-commerce business.
Interruptive marketing
Often referred to as outbound marketing, interruption marketing is a form of advertising that interrupts customers’ normal activities. The goal of the marketing campaign is to capture their attention and convert them into customers.
A successful interruption marketing campaign will not only capture the consumer’s attention, but will also help to maintain their trust. A good example of this type of marketing is YouTube. When a user selects a video to watch, a pre-roll ad will begin playing. After a few seconds, the ad will be skippable.
The best part is that this type of marketing is more cost effective than traditional marketing methods. In addition, interruption marketing allows marketers to reach a wider audience, resulting in better results.
However, this strategy does come with some downsides. It can be a bit expensive, and can also annoy consumers. Regardless, interruption marketing is a powerful tool for increasing sales volume. If used correctly, it can convert a shopper into a loyal customer.
While it may not be as fun as watching the TV show Spiderman or spotting a unicorn, it can be a great way to generate qualified leads and increase conversions. It can also be a useful marketing tactic in brick and mortar retail.
The most successful interruptive ad campaigns are designed to be a part of a larger marketing strategy. For example, Google ads will often be displayed on the side of the search results. This will enable marketers to anticipate a general public’s searches for similar products.
Outbound marketing
Using a well designed and executed marketing plan is a no brainer for any B2B company. Outbound marketing is a proven money maker for savvy marketers and it is no different for small business owners. A well conceived plan will yield measurable ROI (return on investment) and ROI (return on effort) over time. One way to do it is by identifying and targeting the right people at the right time. The most enlightening part is that a marketing plan can be created to fit the budget of a small business owner. The most important component to a successful outbound marketing strategy is a well defined and implemented customer service program.
B2B marketing and sales teams talk to each other
Historically, sales and marketing have been separate functions within companies. However, digital tools are breaking down silos and creating opportunities to work together. Using data, marketers can create unified buyer personas that align with what sales can offer. These relationships are key to helping B2B businesses grow sustainably.
In an attempt to connect with their target audiences, B2B marketers use a variety of platforms to share content. These can range from their own website to social media sites. The aim of these channels is to generate brand awareness and to increase leads.
When combining these two functions, there are a number of challenges to overcome. Some of the biggest issues include deciding which channels to use and designing content for everyone in the funnel. Moreover, sales and marketing must always communicate effectively to ensure optimal efficiency.
Whether your sales and marketing team is working together or separately, they will benefit from keeping an eye on lead conversion rate. This will enable them to adjust their workloads to meet demand. It will also enable them to learn more about a prospect’s hesitations and concerns.
Typically, the B2B purchasing process is lengthy and complex. The purchase may involve multiple decision-makers, interpersonal relationships, and a lengthy implementation process. It can also require a high price tag.
One of the best ways to attract attention is to use direct mail. Other marketing strategies include demand generation and account-based marketing.
In the boardroom
Investing in marketing is essential for your business. It helps you to engage customers, improve customer loyalty, and increase profitability. It also gives you a competitive advantage. Developing marketing strategies in the boardroom can help you become a more effective marketer.
For many companies, achieving the elusive boardroom marketing effect has proven challenging. The C-suite often views marketing as a cost rather than a strategic imperative. But, a board of directors must recognize the value of marketing. It’s essential to the success of any business, and it’s an integral part of how organisations communicate with their customers and engage with their communities.
It’s critical that marketers better understand the boardroom’s mindset. Ruth Saunders shows you how to do that with case studies and practical solutions. She also offers a useful dashboard that can bridge the gap.
The Australian Marketing Institute (AMI) and Deloitte recently published a paper, Marketing’s Role in the Boardroom, which is an evaluation framework for boards and directors. The report found that boards have been slow to recognize the marketing function’s importance. It’s not only a matter of making marketing more visible in the boardroom, but also of understanding and appreciating how it works.
This is especially important in a digital economy, where efficiency is paramount. Without effective boardroom marketing, businesses are at a serious disadvantage. And the only ones to thrive in this environment are the ones that recognise the need for customer-centricity.