What Is an Advertising Account Manager?
An advertising account manager job description says that this professional is responsible for prospecting for new clients through phone calls, direct mail, emails, and face-to-face sales. An advertising account manager requires special senses in detecting growth or marketing opportunities for small, medium, and large businesses in their designated territories. Advertising account managers provide the advertising solutions necessary for reaching targeted markets by publicizing a company's benefits to potential customers.
The advertising account manager acts as an advocate in the client's market by utilizing the client's successes in order to enhance the client’s authority. The normal responsibilities of an advertising account manager include managing client budgets, assisting advertising team members, directing all aspects of a client's campaign, and developing industry contacts.
What Is a Marketing Account Manager?
A marketing account manager job description explains that this professional is responsible for marketing a client's business in the client's desired markets. The marketing account manager stays abreast of the client's industry through training, participating in conferences, and gaining intuitive knowledge of the client's competitors.
The advertising industry changes constantly; the activities of marketing, management, and fending off new competition will keep an marketing account manager on his or her toes. A strong educational background is the first step to acquiring the skills needed for a successful marketing career.
Educational Requirements and Backgrounds
A typical advertising account manager has two or more years of experience in the field. A bachelor’s degree is required for most companies, but entry-level marketing firms accept high school diplomas for promising candidates. Prospective employers are interested in the complexity of your learning in school.
The educational backgrounds of most managers are diverse; for instance, an advertising account manager with a degree in computer science can work for a high-tech marketing firm. Candidates should invest in learning new skills to become well-rounded individuals for potential manager positions. The next step to achieving a successful career as an advertising account manager is gaining experience before graduation.
Ways to Gain Experience
Recent college graduates and students interested in becoming advertising account managers or marketing account managers can gain experience through industry internships. Other routes of gaining experience include applying for entry-level account manager positions and participating in community fundraising activities. The objective for future advertising account managers is to have results and references regarding your abilities.
Experienced advertising account managers have experience managing teams of individuals, projects of all scopes, and numerous accounts. Account executives interested in pursuing a career as an advertising account manager should find ways to stand out from their associates. Potential candidates should be capable of handling many responsibilities.
Essential Skills for Career Success
- Time Management: Advertising account managers must practice time management skills to adhere to numerous deadlines.
- Budgeting/Planning: The principles of budgeting and planning of advertising campaigns include media buying, negotiations, and budget proposals.
- Prospecting/Sales: Sales knowledge allows managers to tap into their clients' thoughts and understand their objectives in increasing market share.
- Project Management: Advertising account managers may be responsible for several high-level national accounts for an organization. The ability to manage more than one account involves project management skills and experience.
Do not lie on employment applications for any reason.
Job hunters must pass background screenings before moving into the second phase of a hiring process. If recruiters notice red flags in your application, fabrications can dismiss potential candidates from the application process automatically. Companies correspond with one another in hiring candidates; be honest and provide accurate information at all times.
Customize your cover letter and resume for each application.
Every application requires a personalized cover letter and resume. Applicants with cut-and-paste applications lack interest for recruiters. A personalized cover letter should address qualities that help a potential employer. Recruiters are interested in what candidates can do for their company, so an emphasis on past achievements is not persuasive.
Network with colleagues or coordinate opportunities through professional organizations.
Networking is an essential activity for an advertising account managers and marketing account manager. You are the product that must be marketed to future employers. A strong network can lead candidates to unpublished job opportunities. If you are a recent college graduate or student, begin your networking during your college career. The more you learn about your desired industry, the better chances you’ll have of obtaining a position before graduation.
Hire a headhunter or staffing agency to secure interviews.
Some potential advertising account managers need help in securing interviews. Hire a professional headhunter or staffing agency to find opportunities. If a candidate is a full-time employee, a staffing agency can reduce the time one dedicates to one's job hunt. Although this help is available, the candidate must remain proactive in finding opportunities.
Try to implement the above tips into your journey toward becoming an advertising account manager or marketing account manager.
