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Direct marketing manager skills for your resume and career

Updated January 8, 2025

4 min read

Quoted experts

Joe Moore Ph.D.,

Erin Steffes Ph.D.

Below we've compiled a list of the most critical direct marketing manager skills. We ranked the top skills for direct marketing managers based on the percentage of resumes they appeared on. For example, 12.8% of direct marketing manager resumes contained digital marketing as a skill. Continue reading to find out what skills a direct marketing manager needs to be successful in the workplace.

15 direct marketing manager skills for your resume and career

1. Digital Marketing

Here's how direct marketing managers use digital marketing:

Launched integrated digital marketing plan including interactive micro site.
Manage digital marketing strategies and implementation of E-Mail, SEO, SEM, Mobile and Social Media content.

2. Marketing Campaigns

Here's how direct marketing managers use marketing campaigns:

Executed annual strategic planning and implementation of advertising and marketing campaigns for over 200 retailers located throughout the Northwest.
Managed advertising agency in the development of marketing campaigns Ensured brand and message consistency across all communication channels.

3. Project Management

Here's how direct marketing managers use project management:

Utilized project management tools to manage all responsibilities Marketing Manager, New Product Development.
Managed and communicated project management schedules, deadlines and action items.

4. Email Campaigns

Email campaigns fall under the marketing efforts that involve contacting multiple recipients at a time. Email campaigns are the best way to reach subscribers and potential clients and give them relevant offers along with valuable content. It is also an effective way to strengthen the relationship with customers.

Here's how direct marketing managers use email campaigns:

Supervised email scheduling and delivery of email campaigns.
Led new agency selection for email campaigns that resulted in cost savings of $120,000 within the first year.

5. CRM

CRM stands for Customer relationship management and it is a complete process through which a business or organization monitors and administers its interactions with the customers. A process in which large amounts of data are collected through marketing via a company's website, polls, surveys, and other social media applications. The basic goal of CRM is to target the right audience for their product, and then fulfill their needs, to increase the sales and revenue of the company.

Here's how direct marketing managers use crm:

Managed U.S. Microsoft Dynamics CRM initial and ongoing implementation and quality assurance.
Launched and managed CRM for Industrial end user customer/prospect marketing communications.

6. ROI

Here's how direct marketing managers use roi:

Defined, developed and implemented an ROI performance analysis report for forecasting and post-evaluation of all events and programs.
Established analytic measurements including but not limited to ROI.

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7. Campaign Performance

Here's how direct marketing managers use campaign performance:

Established key performance metrics for marketing programs, analyzed campaign performance and adjusted strategy and tactics to increase effectiveness.
Tracked, measured and analyzed campaign performance to improve overall effectiveness and realize cost savings.

8. Channel Marketing

Here's how direct marketing managers use channel marketing:

Launched first ever channel marketing platform to provide direct marketing data, tools, and creative to retail partners.
Worked with Channel Marketing to conduct surveys measuring lead close rates.

9. Creative Development

Here's how direct marketing managers use creative development:

Manage direct marketing strategies and execution including working with: o Agencies on creative development and execution.
Led marketing teams in product development, target selection, offer strategies and creative development.

10. Email Marketing

Here's how direct marketing managers use email marketing:

Assisted with copy writing/editing for the online/email marketing channel to ensure consistent brand messaging.
Spearheaded the conception and implementation of opt-in email marketing system greatly increasing visibility.

11. Salesforce

Salesforce is an American cloud-based software company based in San Francisco, California. This company provides customer relationship management services that enable the customers to be closer to the company. It gives the company detailed information about each customer, including marketing, sales, commerce, and services. Salesforce also helps market a product to attract more buyers, and helps win more customers by targeting the right audience.

Here's how direct marketing managers use salesforce:

Collaborated with CTO to improve data collection, reporting, processing, and import into SalesForce.
Developed email templates for Eloqua and Salesforce.com.

12. Lead Generation

Here's how direct marketing managers use lead generation:

Developed and executed of marketing programs for this online University, utilizing targeted lead generation and list selection to bolster enrollments.
Designed and executed integrated online/offline lead generation closed-loop programs resulting in over 60% of qualified, in-person sales appointments.

13. B Testing

Here's how direct marketing managers use b testing:

Supervised go-to-market of several SEM product launches across international properties by aligning teams through the never-been-done before A/B testing methodology.
Developed promotional landing pages including a/b testing and customized content to drive conversion to meet campaign goals

14. Telemarketing

Here's how direct marketing managers use telemarketing:

Created subscription renewal programs and vendor lead programs increasing effectiveness of all programs running in conjunction with direct marketing/outbound telemarketing.
Developed profile database, inbound telemarketing sales, focus groups, direct marketing, training/fulfillment to domestic/international markets.

15. Market Research

Market research is a collective effort to collect information related to a consumer's needs and wants. It is a systematic approach that involves recording and analysis of both qualitative and quantitative data. Market research helps a business to identify a target market correctly and identify the gaps in potential consumer's expectations.

Here's how direct marketing managers use market research:

Performed market research and analysis and developed criteria for generating and purchasing mailing lists.
Integrate database and market research to assist the Marketing Director in programs to produce incremental increase in net revenue.

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What skills help Direct Marketing Managers find jobs?

Tell us what job you are looking for, we’ll show you what skills employers want.

What skills stand out on direct marketing manager resumes?

Joe Moore Ph.D.

Professor of Communication Program Coordinator, Digital Media Production, University of Central Missouri

Well, first I would strongly urge them to reconsider taking a gap year. If we are in a pandemic and go into another shutdown, where are you going to work? If you're thinking you'll just go to school at a community college and work on your gen eds, how are you going to do that if they are shut down, too? But, if they DO take a gap year, I would encourage students to work on their writing. That's the skill we see that students struggle with the most, and in talking with employers, it is the one skill that really sets applicants apart. And don't just "write". I mean, start a blog to write about your experiences, practice writing scripts, cover some news in your area, yes. But practice writing WELL. Go to https://owl.purdue.edu/ and do some writing lessons to practice proper grammar. Texting and emails have killed proper writing because it is not expected, but if you have good grammar, spelling, punctuation, and capitalization (basic writing skills) AND can tell a good story, just like that you've set yourself apart.

What soft skills should all direct marketing managers possess?

Erin Steffes Ph.D.

Department Chair and Professor, Towson University

Students often underestimate the importance of soft skills. To succeed in a marketing career, you need to be able to communicate effectively both verbally and in writing, work well in a team environment, use critical and creative thinking, and get along with others. On an individual level, successful marketers are typically good time managers, decisive, adaptable to change, good listeners, and open to feedback. Emotional intelligence plays a significant role in one's career progression and success.

What hard/technical skills are most important for direct marketing managers?

Erin Steffes Ph.D.

Department Chair and Professor, Towson University

As a science and an art, marketing utilizes both soft skills and technical skills on a daily basis. While some technologies are industry-specific, having an understanding and basic mastery of data analysis, statistics, data visualization, digital marketing, marketing research, and customer relationship management will position a candidate well.

What direct marketing manager skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?

Stephanie Dellande

Professor, Menlo College

Taking a gap year is a deliberate act, not flying by the seat of one's pants, i.e., just figuring things out as you go along. It entails establishing a plan prior to that year. Determining how the time will be spent is key to realizing a successful outcome. It is highly recommended to have a strategy on the specifics of what will be done during the year; otherwise, risk being unproductive. Reasons for taking a gap year are varied. Perhaps to reflect (on the past, present, future), ponder potential goals, and/or recalibrate. It is also a viable way to manage burnout. The gap year offers an opportunity to travel (experience other cultures), volunteer (for a cause of interest), learn new skills by experimenting with different types of jobs, etc. However, a gap year is not without its pitfalls. For example, it may be difficult going back to regular life, reinforcing the importance of having a plan at the outset.

What type of skills will young direct marketing managers need?

Dr. Donald Siegel

Foundation Professor of Public Policy and Management and Director, Arizona State University

In our field, computer skills and proficiency with technology and data are in great demand (e.g., data analytics and engineering applications)

What technical skills for a direct marketing manager stand out to employers?

Ira Harris Ph.D.

Professor, General Faculty, Director, M.S. in Commerce Program, University of Virginia

Graduates must not be complacent and assume their skill base will endure over a long period; they must continue to engage and learn in order to understand changes in the landscape and add value. Beyond listing specific computer software or hardware skills, we know from working so closely with employers to place our students that they are looking for students who possess excellent communication skills - including technical communication. Along the lines of communicating, employers seek graduates with the ability to analyze and succinctly synthesize sometimes ambiguous information. Finally, showcasing flexibility and an interest in learning will be important to employers.

Do you want to know more?

List of direct marketing manager skills to add to your resume

The most important skills for a direct marketing manager resume and required skills for a direct marketing manager to have include:

Digital Marketing
Marketing Campaigns
Project Management
Email Campaigns
CRM
ROI
Campaign Performance
Channel Marketing
Creative Development
Email Marketing
Salesforce
Lead Generation
B Testing
Telemarketing
Market Research
Data Analysis

Integrated Marketing
SQL
Target Audience
Business Objectives
B2C
Direct Reports
B2B Marketing
External Vendors
Campaign Results
Content Marketing
Database Marketing
SEO
List Management
Response Rates
Marketing Mix
Customer Retention

Marketing Analytics
Creative Briefs
Campaign Management
Customer Data
Print Production
Database Management
SEM
Customer Acquisition
Vendor Relationships
Creative Agencies
Cost Savings
External Agencies
Copywriting
Property Marketing
Retention Programs
Vendor Management

Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

Updated January 8, 2025

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