There are two instances in life when we all think about developing our skills. One is when we study in college, where we are at the junction of planning our future. The second is when we look at shifting or furthering our career. During both these occasions, we look at many options around and then choose a course that will provide us with the knowledge to find the best-suited job options. For most of us, the decision of pursuing a course is to uplift our careers.
If you are interested in taking your career up a notch by pursuing a marketing degree, this blog is for you. Read on to find out about the core specialisations available in marketing. You can choose these specializations in your bachelors’ degree, masters, or diploma course to enhance your skills. Irrespective of the course you choose in marketing, these top specializations will help you find a strong position in the market and develop strategic marketing skills.
What is the marketing course all about?
A marketing course can not only help you become an efficient marketing professional, but also equip you with skills to start a business on your own. Marketing course is all about educating people on how to sell a product, service, design, etc to the client. It is not merely selling but also catering to the promoting and branding needs of an organisation.
Chief specialization in marketing that offers a wide scope
The marketing career offers a range of specialisations, of which, we will give you detailed insights into 7 major specializations..
1. Market Research and Analytics
If you are at the beginning of your career and want to choose one of the popular specializations, then you must opt for market research and analytics. This is not the usual marketing job but more than that. In this job, you will be required to analyze data and apply strategic thinking skills to understand the market. The topics that this specialization will cover include business research, financial reporting, market research methods, consumer behaviour, strategic marketing, etc. With this qualification, you will be working as the brain of the marketing team and can earn both remuneration and reputation.
2. Direct marketing
This is the usual direct sales specialization, wherein you will meet the customer and convince them about your product or service. As easy as that may sound, you still need a specialization because there is a wide range of scope for improving direct marketing with the advancement in technology. You can apply a different strategy to attract customers at various levels. For example, you can explain your product through a presentation and also provide a free app for people to test, etc. These are the tactics and latest skills taught in direct marketing. Sending mails, making calls, and meeting in person still holds a good standing, but that personal touch is expected, and hence you must acquire a specialization to learn those nuances.
3. Database marketing
In database marketing, you can group customers with a common interest to bait them with offers. For doing this, you need to build a database. However, how can you do this efficiently? That’s exactly what is taught in the course and requires you to follow the four steps mentioned below:
- Build an internal database: You can do this with the help of content marketing, search engine optimization and pay-per-click programs. Based on the ranking of keywords on search engines, you can identify people with a common interest.
- Next, expand the horizon by tapping the external database resources. This is done by creating a remarketing list about individuals who use specific keywords while searching online. Effective usage of Facebook and LinkedIn will help.
- Retain the existing customers and take reference from them to build the database.
- Segment and personalize customers to stay in touch with them every time an offer is released that matches their interests and needs.
4. Product marketing
You might work in a company that makes the best product. However, how can you promote them and keep them in the top list consistently? Here, it would be best if you had a specialization to tackle all situations. Product marketing specialization will teach you how to conduct penetration pricing. DropBox is one of the companies that has mastered the art of penetration pricing. Do you want to be part of one of the top-running organizations? Then, learn effective ways to carry out product marketing. You will be taught how you can use coupon codes, video marketing, testimonials, and much more to promote and market your products.
Needless to say that digital marketing is ruling the world for a few years and will stay on the top for another era. In this specialization, you will learn about content marketing, search engine optimization, social media marketing, etc. You will also be taught about the best ways to tap on resources like social media advertising, Google Ads, Google Analytics and so much more.
6. Marketing Management
When you aspire to grow as a manager, you need to acquire core managerial skills alongside specialized marketing skills. This course offers you knowledge in both disciplines and you are taught about marketing strategy development, planning, implementation, evaluation, etc.
7. Integrated marketing
Yet another way to master all concepts in marketing is to go with the integrated marketing communication specialization. In this, you will be familiarized with market research, analysis, public relation, digital and direct marketing. Integrated marketing is an exhaustive area, which covers all aspects of marketing.
Final suggestions
As mentioned above, marketing is not limited to a single technique, but is spread across a range of methods. This includes understanding the market, analyzing the data, applying strategy and executing. To master the art of marketing, one must choose a specialization. It will also help the company you work for grow with experts in each division.
Both, the company and employee, can benefit if professionals acquire expertise in a particular specialization of marketing. Have a clear vision to accomplish your mission.
Wishing you good luck!