What a Marketing Strategist Does and Why Your Business May Need One
A marketing strategist is the person responsible for building the plan behind your marketing efforts. They identify your audience, clarify your positioning, choose the right channels, and create a strategy that supports business growth.
If your marketing feels scattered, underperforming, or disconnected from company goals, a marketing strategist helps turn activity into a focused plan. In this guide, you’ll learn what a marketing strategist does, the skills they need, how they compare with digital marketing strategists, and when it makes sense to hire one.
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What Does a Marketing Strategist Do?
A marketing strategist creates the plan that guides how a company reaches, persuades, and retains customers. Their job is to connect business goals with marketing execution.
Typical responsibilities include:
- defining target audiences
- clarifying brand positioning and messaging
- researching competitors and market opportunities
- choosing the right marketing channels
- setting campaign goals and KPIs
- aligning marketing activity with revenue or growth goals
- identifying gaps in the current strategy
In short, a marketing strategist makes sure marketing is not just busy work. They create a clear direction so every campaign, channel, and message supports the bigger business objective.
Digital Marketing Strategist vs Marketing Strategist
Before going further, it is worth looking at the roles of a digital marketing strategist and a marketing strategist. They play distinct roles in driving a company’s success. To put it simply, both roles are crucial in shaping how a brand interacts with its audience, but the approaches and tools they use can be quite different.
- A marketing strategist focuses on the overall strategy. They create a comprehensive plan that covers all aspects of marketing, from traditional media like TV and print to online channels. Their job is to ensure that every marketing effort aligns with the company’s broader goals. They think long-term, considering how every piece of the marketing puzzle fits together to build a strong, cohesive brand.
For this role, the marketing leadership include:
- digital marketing
- expertise in email marketing
- channel marketing strategies
- On the other hand, a digital marketing strategist zeroes in on the online world. With the digital landscape constantly shifting, their role is to navigate the complexities of online platforms—social media, search engines, email marketing, and more. They’re the experts in understanding digital behavior, crafting strategies that not only reach people where they are online but also engage them in meaningful ways. They analyze data in real time, adjusting campaigns on the fly to maximize results.
The key skills of a digital strategist are:
- digital marketing
- crafting digital strategies
- proficiency in Google Analytics
Despite these differences, both strategists share common ground. Both are data-driven, leveraging insights to make informed decisions. Both aim to create compelling messages that resonate with the audience. Most importantly, both work towards the same end goal: driving growth and success for the business.
Whether you’re thinking of a marketing strategist or a digital marketing strategist, the key is understanding which role aligns best with your current needs. If your focus is on building a strong brand presence across all channels, a marketing strategist is your go-to. If you’re looking to dominate the digital space, then a digital marketing strategist is the one to call.
While both roles share some similarities, they are not entirely interchangeable. Each role has a distinct focus and requires different expertise, though there is overlap in the skills and strategies they employ.
In some organizations, especially smaller ones, the two roles may overlap, with a single person handling both traditional and digital strategies. However, in larger companies, these roles are often separate to ensure that each area receives the focused attention and expertise it requires.
See also: What Is an Interim CMO?
Marketing Strategist Salary
Understanding the average marketing strategist’s salary can be an important factor when considering hiring a marketing specialist for your team. On average, a marketing strategist can expect a competitive salary, reflecting the critical role they play in shaping a company’s brand and driving its market success. This role involves a blend of creativity and analytical thinking, which is why the compensation often matches the high level of responsibility.
The marketing strategist’s salary also varies depending on location, industry, and experience. For instance, those in larger markets or working for top-tier companies can expect higher pay. As the role involves deep expertise, companies are willing to invest in professionals who bring a wealth of knowledge and insight.
There is a specific list of marketing strategist skills you need to expect from your employees. These skills include market research, data analysis, and a strong understanding of consumer behavior. Additionally, a successful marketing strategist needs to be a strong communicator and craft compelling narratives that resonate with target audiences. Leadership and project management skills are also crucial, as strategists often oversee large campaigns and coordinate with various teams.
Digital marketing strategist needs equally vital skills. While their core skills overlap with those of traditional marketing strategists, digital strategists also need a deep understanding of the latest online trends and technologies.
Here is a quick overview of these two roles salaries in the US, according to Zipla:
| Digital Strategist | Marketing Strategist | |
| Average Salary | $72,491 | $80,033 |
| Salary Range | Between $49,000 And $106,000 | Between $53,000 And $119,000 |
| Highest Paying City | Seattle, WA | Harrisburg, PA |
| Highest Paying State | Delaware | Pennsylvania |
| Best Paying Company | Meta | McKinsey & Company Inc |
| Best Paying Industry | Technology | Technology |
For those wondering how to become a marketing strategist, the path typically starts with a solid foundation in marketing or business. Gaining experience through internships, entry-level marketing positions, and continuous learning is key. Many strategists also benefit from advanced degrees or certifications, particularly in digital marketing.
When Should You Hire a Marketing Strategist?
Determining whether you need a marketing strategist can be a very important decision for your company. Here’s how to assess if bringing one on board is the right move for you.
- Are your current marketing efforts aligned with your long-term business goals? If your campaigns feel disjointed, lack clear direction, or aren’t delivering the results you expect, it might be time to consult a marketing strategist. They can bring a fresh perspective, identify gaps in your strategy, and help create a cohesive plan that ties all your efforts together.
- Is your knowledge of the market and your audience good enough? A marketing strategist excels at deep market analysis, understanding customer behavior, and predicting trends. If you find it challenging to keep up with market changes or to understand what your customers truly want, a strategist can provide the insights you need to stay ahead of the curve.
- Are you managing your resources well? Are you maximizing your marketing budget, or do you feel like you’re spreading your resources too thin without seeing a significant return on investment? A marketing strategist can optimize your spending, ensuring that every dollar is strategically allocated to achieve the best possible outcomes.
- Are you planning to expand into new markets, launch a new product, or rebrand? These complex initiatives require careful planning and execution, areas where a marketing strategist can make a significant impact.
if you’re struggling to create a unified marketing strategy, need deeper market insights, want to optimize your resources, or are planning a major business shift, hiring a marketing strategist could be the right decision to elevate your business to the next level.
FAQ About Marketing Strategists
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