Direct marketing is the use of consumer data to create consumer-specific marketing campaigns. This advertising strategy can include telemarketing, door-to-door leaflets, directed e-mails and mail advertising. Several postsecondary education options can prepare you for a career in direct marketing.
Essential Information
Students may be able to gain entry-level employment in sales after completing an associate degree program that covers the design, implementation and evaluation of a direct marketing campaign. Jobs in marketing management and market research require a bachelor's degree, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. A master's degree program can prepare students to supervise direct marketing promotions and other types of advertising campaigns.
<h3 id="section---ImportantFactsAboutThisFieldOfStudy">Important Facts About This Field of Study</h3><p></p><table border="1"><tr><th> </th><th> Market Research Analysts </th><th> Marketing Managers</th></tr>
<tr><td> Median Salary (2021)* </td><td> $63,920 </td><td> $135,030</td></tr>
<tr><td> Job Outlook (2021-2031)*</td><td> 19% (much faster than average) </td><td>10% (faster than average)</td></tr>
<tr><td> On-the-job Training </td><td> None </td><td> None</td></tr>
<tr><td> Similar Occupations </td><td> Cost Estimators, Economists </td><td>PR Specialists, Sales Managers</td></tr>
</table><p><i>Source: *U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics</i>
</p><h3 id="section---UndergraduateDegrees">Undergraduate Degrees</h3><p>A few colleges and universities offer associate and bachelor's degrees in direct marketing. These programs include courses in marketing strategy, database marketing, Internet marketing and direct marketing business planning. It is more common to find general marketing degrees that include coursework in direct marketing and integrative marketing. Some of these degree programs are business administration degrees with concentrations in marketing.
</p><h3 id="section---GraduateDegrees">Graduate Degrees</h3><p>Master's degree programs in integrated marketing communications or integrated marketing can prepare you for a leadership role in the field. These programs can typically be found as Master of Business Administration (MBA) or Master of Science degrees. Courses include customer relationship management, e-commerce, direct interactive marketing and strategic marketing. Many schools that offer these graduate degree programs also offer short-term graduate certificates in this subject.</p>
