Key skills needed by Marketing Managers

As you study your NATED Marketing Management course, you will gain skills that will assist you in becoming an effective marketing manager. Skills are an asset.

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Last Updated : June 24, 2022

To be effective, a Marketing Manager needs to have skills. These skills go a long way in carrying out some of your duties. Here are some of the skills that you need as a Marketing Manager:

  • Leadership skills
  • Communication skills
  • Time management
  • Analytical skills
  • Computer skills
  • Strategic thinking skills
  • People skills
  • Creativity skills

Leadership Skills

To be an effective Marketing Manager, you will need leadership skills. With leadership skills, you will be able to do the following for your team:

  • Motivate
  • Lead 
  • Delegate
  • Build respect

Communication Skills

As a Marketing Manager, communication skills are also important. Remember that the job of a marketer involves a lot of communication with both people within the organisation and people out of the organisation. Your communication should be clear and to the point. 

Your communication skills should be both verbally and in writing. Not only should you be a good communicator, but you should be also a good listener

Time Management

In any work environment, time is of importance. Organising your time can make you achieve a lot in a day. This is so because you are aware of when a task should start and when it should be completed. Performing tasks haphazardly will make you achieve little. Tips for effective time management:

  • Set goals
  • Prioritise your tasks
  • Set a time limit to complete a task
  • Take a break between tasks
  • Organise yourself
  • Remove non-essential activities
  • Plan ahead 

Analytical Skills

As a Marketing Manager, you should have the ability to investigate a problem and find the ideal solution in a timely and efficient manner. You can use your analytical skills in the following situations: 

  • When detecting patterns
  • Brainstorming
  • Observing
  • Interpreting data
  • Integrating new information 
  • Making decisions based on the multiple factors and options available 

Computer Skills

Computer skills are important to a Marketing Manager. Most of your work as a Marketing manager will be computer-based. Computer skills can help you perform the following tasks:

  • Writing reports
  • Analysing reports
  • Communicating
  • Researching
  • Customer database
  • Account management

Strategic Thinking Skills

When you are a Marketing Manager, thinking strategically will help you see the big picture. As a strategic thinker, you are not distracted by side issues or minor details. In all your decisions, you will be driven by the fulfilment of the vision of your organisation.

People Skills

As a Marketing Manager, good people skills are defined by your ability, to communicate and relate to others on a personal or professional level. Marketing is a people-centred profession. It is therefore important to grow this skill.

Creativity Skills

As a Marketing Manager, being creative can make your organisation stand out from other industry players. Remember, you will all be fighting for the same market share. How you present your products and services can go a long way in achieving the following:

  • Increasing your customer base
  • Retaining your customers
  • Increase in revenue
  • Increase in profits  

What Are Hard Skills In Marketing?

Hard skills are specific abilities, or capabilities, that an individual can possess and demonstrate in a measured way. For example, coding, foreign language, typing speed, bookkeeping and proofreading. As a Marketing Manager, it is also important that you acquire hard skills such as the following:

  • Data analysis – Marketing relies heavily on data
  • Writing – You can acquire the skills for the following forms of writing:
    • Blog posts
    • Website content
    • Instruction manuals
    • E-Books
    • Social media posts
    • Press releases
  • Search Engine Optimisation (SEO) – This has become one of the best ways for companies to get their products and services in front of customers. A Marketing Manager needs to stay on top of the SEO best practices.
  • Technology – For example, e-commerce options for selling products and services and tools such as Content Management Systems (CMS) and Customer Relationship Management (CRM)

What Are Strategic Planning Skills?

In marketing, strategic planning skills are skills needed for setting a vision for your department and realising that vision through small, achievable goals. Strategic planning helps set goals, decide what actions need to be taken by employees, and help employees achieve those goals.

What Are The Responsibilities Of a Marketing Manager?

Here are some of the responsibilities of a Marketing Manager:

  • Develop marketing strategies and tactics 
  • Deploy marketing campaigns 
  • Decide on channels for placement of advertising
  • Create engaging content for our website and blog 
  • Build strategic relationships with key industry players
  • Prepare and monitor the marketing budget 
  • Oversee and approve marketing material
  • Measure and report on the performance of marketing campaigns, gain insight and assess against goals
  • Analyse consumer behaviour 

How Do I Become A Marketing Manager

You can become a Marketing Manager by studying a National Accredited Technical Education Diploma (NATED) Marketing Management Programme. This programme is a product of the Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET). The course in the programme build on each other as follows:

What Requirements Are Needed For NATED Marketing Management?

To study for the NATED Marketing Management Programme, you will need to meet the following entry requirements:

Why Should I Study A NATED Course

A NATED Qualification aims to give the learner theoretical and practical knowledge. Here are some of the advantages of a NATED Qualification:

  • Earn and learn at the same time – With NATED courses, you can study through distance learning at Matric College and work at the same time. This means that you can pay for your tuition fees. If you happen to do work that is in line with what you are studying, you will also be gaining practical experience that is needed for you to be awarded your Diploma Qualification
  • Certified at every level – A NATED Marketing Management Programme has three levels, that is, N4, N5 and N6. A Certificate is awarded to students who successfully meet the requirements of each level. This means that you may be employed when you complete an N4, N5 or the N6 Certificate course.
  • Practical component – The NATED courses offer both theoretical and practical learning. You will be work-ready when you complete the Marketing Management courses. This makes you an asset to any employer.

You can study further- A NATED Marketing Management Qualification may be your gateway to further studies. You can study other NATED courses or study for a Higher Diploma. 

  • Boost your CV – Successful completion of any level of a NATED course will boost your CV. You will have confidence when you apply for a position because you have gained the skills, knowledge and practical work experience in running and managing a business. 

Where Can I Study NATED Marketing Management?

You can study the NATED Marketing Management Course at Matric College. Matric College is a distance learning institution. This means that you will not have to attend any classes. You can study anywhere that you feel comfortable. 

Here is why you should consider studying through distance learning:

  • Textbooks and study notes will be provided
  • Tutors will be at your disposal
  • Online tools are used to send you study materials
  • You cut on costs
    • Tuition fees
    • Transport
  • You can work and learn at the same time
  • Study at your pace
  • Study in your own time

Author: Collin Wilbesi
Editor: Razeen Dollie
Date: June 24, 2022