Content Marketing Degrees & Career Opportunities

Within the world of marketing, content marketing is fast-paced, dynamic, and always evolving. As algorithm updates happen and technology changes, there is an increased need in the industry for qualified professionals.

A recent graduate with a degree in marketing or communications can jump into a content marketing job. However, before you get started you may have some questions about the types of degrees that explain content marketing strategy best and the career outlook for those producing high-quality content.

This article explains the primary responsibilities of a content marketer, including an in-depth look into content creation, marketing degrees, and how to use content marketing in your career.

What Is Content Marketing?

Content marketing is a subcategory in digital marketing and encompasses all of the written and visual content a company uses to communicate with prospective and current customers.

Most content marketers strive to build trust within their community and establish their brand as a leader in the industry. The content marketer may also speak to specific pain points or customers' needs to further build smart and valuable content. This is completed through a number of different content strategy techniques, which will review here.

Types of Content Marketing

There are different types of content marketing, which you may begin working in upon receiving your degree.

The first is creating long-form content which is intended to educate or inform customers. Long-form content is usually written items over 1,000 words and includes these content marketing examples:

• white papers: a downloadable asset that discusses a certain topic in detail with detailed information
• case studies: an in-depth study about a specific client need fulfilled by the company's products or services
• blogs and articles: written content on the company website that establishes them as a thought leader. Blog content is optimized with keywords for search engine optimization so they can be found easily online.
• testimonials: former clients complete product review templates that will be used for future content on the website
• landing pages: webpages that include great content for improved user experience

The next is short-form content, which includes all written content below 1,000 words. This might include writing email newsletters and requesting a referral from former clients.

Additionally, social media professionals play a key role in developing a marketing plan because effective posts will lead to organic traffic.

There are also different types of communication used in an effective campaign. There is B2B content marketing, which means business-to-business communication, or B2C content marketing, which is business to consumer.

Best Careers for Content Marketers

There are many different types of careers that fall under the content marketing umbrella. Here are a few primary options that some new graduates may find interesting.

Content Marketing Strategist

An effective content marketing strategy starts with understanding who the target audience is and what their painpoints are. This professional may start with keyword research so they may understand the kind of content most searched for.

Next, this professional will begin segmentation of the different buyer personas they wish to target. Each buyer will have a different need, and may want different types of content.

Content Marketing Analyst

Content marketing analysis involves understanding what makes an effective content marketing campaign.

This professional must be adept at understanding analytical software, such as Google Analytics and SEO reports so they can use this information to build better campaigns in the future.

This professional also reviews important key performance indicators (KPIs), such as the conversion rates on a website, or the clickthrough rate on an email.

They may work closely with ecommerce teams so they can optimize product descriptions for better visibility.

Content Marketing Manager

The content marketing manager is responsible for overseeing each piece of content created for the brand and ensuring the messaging is effective. They will be responsible for identifying the target audience and understanding the ideal buyer persona.

They must then understand the buyer's journey, from the time a buyer first learns about the company to when they finally turn into a loyal customer.

They may also review and approve a content calendar for each month or quarter of the year, and track the effectiveness of all content marketing efforts.

Email Marketer

Email marketing is extremely important in building a contact list that's highly targeted and builds trust. Some popular email marketing tools include HubSpot, MailChimp, and Constant Contact.

Social Media Marketer

Social media marketing harnesses the powers of social platforms to generate leads, build buyer interest and awareness, as well as communicate with a wide audience.

The most popular social media channels include:

• LinkedIn
• Facebook
• YouTube
• Instagram
• TikTok
• X (formerly Twitter)

The social media marketer must first be proficient in creating social media content, which includes video content, short form written copy, and social media posts.

The marketer must thoroughly understand the demographics of the company audience on all of the social media platforms and create the best content to speak with each individual group.

The marketer must then review the social media metrics to understand what posts are performing well and which ones aren't.

Best Degrees for Aspiring Content Marketers

Content marketing works best when the professional has a background of experience and knowledge. They must be creative and effective writers with a strong understanding of potential customers.

Most marketers graduate with a bachelor's degree in either communications or marketing. These two degrees will teach them the necessary information to become key players on a marketing team.

During your time in college, you will learn the skills necessary for effective online content marketing, including building brand awareness, copywriting, building backlinks, conducting webinars, and creating podcasts.

Best Colleges & Universities for Content Marketing

Continue reading for the best online colleges and universities for aspiring content marketers.

1. Arizona State University

Arizona State University (ASU) offers a Bachelors of Science in marketing through their online campus. Students have the flexible option to transfer credits if they wish, and can usually complete their degree in less than four years.

Arizona State University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.

2. Southern New Hampshire University

Southern New Hampshire University (SNHU) offers an online degree to ambitious future marketers who want to learn the secrets to effective inbound marketing.

Students will learn in an accelerated format with the option to take part in experiential learning and internships.

3. Western Governors University

Western Governors University (WGU) is an online college dedicated to helping busy professionals earn their degrees online.

This accredited program teaches the skills necessary for effective content marketing, including copywriting landing pages, email content, social media posts, and understanding the nuances of Google Analytics.