What is Strategic Marketing?
Strategic marketing is incorporated in many different marketing and business careers to help organizations make the most profit by understanding what the consumer wants. Here we define strategic marketing and explore some marketing degrees and careers.
Strategic Marketing Definition
Strategic marketing builds off of market knowledge to develop a customer-centered strategy, or plan and approach, to marketing campaigns with the ultimate goal of profitability for the organization. In order to define strategic marketing, you must also consider how this strategy applies to concepts like marketing research, social media marketing, consumer behavior, and more. Strategic marketing is becoming a necessity for businesses to understand their consumers and the market and then create marketing strategies that propel their organization forward in these markets.
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Strategic Marketer Degree Programs
Degree programs in strategic marketing focus on teaching students how to develop marketing strategies and how to implement them. Although many business degree programs may incorporate strategic marketing in coursework, there are some undergraduate and graduate programs available specifically in strategic marketing.
Many careers in marketing require at least a bachelor's degree, and there are a few Bachelor of Science (BS) degree programs in areas like marketing or business administration that offer a focus or track in strategic marketing. These degree programs may include courses in topics like:
- Promotion strategy
- Marketing research
- Marketing communications
- Social media marketing
- Supply chain management
Strategic marketing degree programs are even more common at the master's level and may be offered as a Master of Science (MS) or a concentration in a Master of Business Administration (MBA) program. Some of these programs are available in online formats, and students in these master's programs may take courses in topics such as:
- Marketing analytics
- Marketing finance
- Brand management
- Digital marketing
- Customer relationship marketing
Strategic Marketing Careers
While there may be some positions as a strategic marketer or strategic marketing manager, many, if not most, marketing careers utilize strategic marketing in their job duties. Here we discuss some marketing careers, including their job duties and how they may apply strategic marketing to their work.
Market Research Analyst
Market research analysts are responsible for studying consumers and market conditions to help their organization or client better understand sales of their service or product. These analysts may evaluate the effectiveness of strategic marketing tactics to see how they are working and/or take their findings of market conditions and apply them to future marketing strategies. Other job duties for a market research analyst may include:
- Predicting sales trends
- Writing and presenting reports
- Using statistical software to examine data
- Developing ways to collect data
- Conducting surveys, interviews, and other data collections
In 2018, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reported that market research analysts made a median annual salary of $63,120. The BLS also reported a job outlook for these professionals of 20% from 2018 to 2028. Most market research analysts work full-time and may work individually, as well as part of a team.
Marketing Manager
Becoming a marketing manager usually requires some prior marketing experience, which likely includes experience with strategic marketing. Marketing managers are responsible for finding potential markets and predicting the demand for products. They begin using strategic marketing as they develop price points, evaluate the need for a product, and create interest in the product. Marketing managers may have job duties, such as:
- Overseeing staff
- Advising clients with marketing information
- Working with sales, product development, and public relations staff
- Requesting market research studies
- Analyzing new market opportunities
The BLS reported that marketing managers made a median salary of $134,290 in 2018. These managers had a job outlook of 8% from 2018 to 2028. Typically, marketing managers work full-time and may need to travel occasionally to meet with clients.
