Many colleges and universities provide online
training programs for prospective marketing consultants. Students can
earn an online bachelor's or master's degree in marketing or a related
field to qualify for consultation jobs, although experience in the field
is also important.
Online Degree Programs in Marketing
According to job posts on
Monster.com as of 2012, employers
seeking a marketing consultant often look for those with bachelor's
degrees in a related field, such as advertising or communications.
However, hirers may prefer those with a master's degree in a field such
as business administration.
Duties for this profession include coordinating resources, overseeing
communications within a marketing department, analyzing previous
strategies, estimating project outlooks and implementing customer
relations programs. At the bachelor's degree level, online marketing
programs address a broad spectrum of topics. Web-based master's degree
programs offer further opportunities to specialize in such areas as
analytics or public relations. Common course topics may include these:
- Branding
- Demographic outreach
- Digital advertising
- Copywriting
- Marketing research
- Budget management
It's necessary for aspiring online students to have a basic grasp of
computer functionality; specific hardware and software requirements vary
by school, but having Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint)
is a common request. Web-based marketing programs traditionally utilize
e-mail, discussion boards and instant messengers for communication. In
this field, correspondence and participation may be weighted heavily,
considering its relevance to the field of study. Students complete tests
and assignments online, often at their own pace but in accordance with
specific, fixed deadlines. At the undergraduate and graduate level,
distance-learning programs may require students to complete an in-person
practicum or internship to gain experience.
Job postings as of 2012 indicate that employers often prefer
marketing consultants who have 2-5 years of experience. Experience may
be relevant in a specialty marketing area - such as project management,
personnel or public relations - or within the industry that's seeking to
hire. Those with a background in interactive marketing may also
benefit, as information technology and multi-platform media strategizing
are consistently popular fields of demand.
Salary Prospects
Because of the nature of their business, marketing consultants' wages
vary widely. Some work by commission, while others are paid a steady
wage. Some are also paid by project. Freelance marketing consultants may
operate almost entirely online; in this case, earnings are dependent on
personal effort, ability and success.
Payscale.com reported that the salary range for the 10th-90th percentile of marketing consultants was $30,281-$156,705 as of 2012.
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