If you’ve been looking for a career with many growth potentials, then an account coordinator could be a perfect choice. Account coordinators are responsible for managing client accounts and overseeing the work that goes into them, and they have to ensure deadlines are met while maintaining quality and accuracy. It sounds like a tall order, but it can be done if you know what to look out for in an employer.
Today we’re going to go over some important questions that should help guide your decision-making process when considering this profession: What is an account coordinator? What do they do on a day-to-day basis? How much does one make per year? And finally, how should I approach interviewing for this position? Let’s check it out.
1. What Is an Account Coordinator?
An account coordinator is responsible for facilitating the day-to-day business operations of an advertiser’s YouTube channel. Internally, they are known as MCNs (Multi-Channel Networks) but are more commonly called YouTube networks. They spend their days researching new expansion opportunities, creating marketing plans, and pitching them to clients to keep channels growing and engaged.
The primary function of an account executive is to manage the relationship between a company and its customers, which includes the coordination of sales, marketing activities, and customer service. In addition, they must devise effective growth strategies that meet both the client’s needs and the company’s goals.
Account coordinators work in a large office with many other workers, usually an entire team dedicated to one client. Their day-to-day responsibilities vary depending on what their clients need assistance with. Still, they are typically divided into three main categories: media buying/selling, research, and development.
2. What Are the Responsibilities of An Account Coordinator?
Following are the responsibilities of an account coordinator:
Media Buying/Selling –
- Work directly with clients on media buying, analyzing audience demographics, and matching them with the right advertisers to maximize sell-through
Research & Development –
- Develop new business by identifying critical sites for expansion; research potential opportunities; pitch ideas to clients; track competitors’ channels for more ideas
- Propose and develop strategic recommendations to improve site metrics through testing and optimization efforts.
Customer Service –
- Resolve any problems clients may encounter, large or small
- Communicate any issues clients may have with the network
- Update clients on their account status, upcoming plans, and milestones
- Manage and provide feedback on creative materials such as channel trailers, image ads, and title cards
3. What Skills Do You Need to Succeed as an Account Coordinator?
Supervisory Skills
Ability to manage multiple clients at one time. Be able to handle any issues they may have.
Detail-Oriented
Accurate record-keeping is a job requirement, and it is crucial to keep track of the client’s account details.
Account Coordinator
Must be able to solve any problems that may arise between the company and the customer.
Communication Skills
Account coordinators must communicate regularly with their team and their clients, and they must effectively communicate any issues from both ends promptly.
Organization Skills
Account coordinators must be able to keep track of everything going on with multiple clients simultaneously. They also need strong organizational skills to manage deadlines and meet project requirements.
Time Management Skills
As all projects have deadlines, account coordinators must prioritize their work and meet deadlines.
Analytical Skills
Account coordinators must analyze their clients’ progress with data from each media buy, audience demographics, and social media metrics. They must also stay current on new technology and audience trends.
Sales/Negotiation Skills
Good communication is a crucial part of sales, and pitching strategies to clients is an essential part of the job.
Business Skills
Account coordinators must communicate clearly and effectively with all departments within their company and not just their team.
Entrepreneurial Spirit
Account coordinators must have a vision for growth and know-how to create new opportunities that will benefit the client and their company.
Multitasking Skills
Account coordinators must be able to work with various projects simultaneously, prioritizing each job accordingly. Communication also plays a significant role in this aspect of their job, as they need to work cohesively with multiple departments within the company.
4. What Are the Educational Requirements Needed to Become an Account Coordinator?
There is no strict educational requirement to become an account coordinator, as most entry-level positions within the field do not require a bachelor’s degree. However, most employers will prioritize candidates who have completed some college courses or have one to two years of experience in customer service and marketing.
- Customer Service: 2+ years in customer service.
- Marketing/Media Planning: 1+ years of experience in marketing or media planning.
- Advertising Sales: 1+ years in advertising sales.
- New Business Development: 1+ years in new business development.
- Media Buying / Planning: 1+ years in media buying or planning
- Public Relations: 1+ years of experience in P.R.
5. How Much Does an Account Coordinator Make?
An account coordinator’s salary depends on the company, location, and experience. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, account coordinators made a median salary of $47,990 in 2015.
- Entry Level: $36,000 – $47,990
- Mid Career: $53,810 -$84,270
- Experienced: $92,220 -$143,350
6. What Is the Job Growth for Account Coordinators?
The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts that employment opportunities in marketing will grow by 8% between 2014 and 2024. This rate is higher than average compared to other industries in the United States.
7. What Are the Current Trends in Account Coordinator Jobs?
Marketing
With every new generation comes a different form of marketing. Account coordinators must stay on top of what each group is looking for and how they can target them most effectively.
Mobile Advertising
As more people use mobile devices daily, advertisers rely more on mobile devices to target their audience. Account coordinators must effectively track the performance of ads shown on mobile devices for advertisers.
Video Advertising
With new technologies being developed, account coordinators are focusing their efforts on video advertising and finding ways to make it a successful part of any campaign.
Social Media Marketing
Account coordinators must make brands stand out on social media platforms.
Digital Advertising
Much of today’s advertising is done online, which places a greater responsibility on account coordinators who need to track digital ad performance most effectively.
Pinterest Marketing
While not as popular as other platforms, Pinterest offers a unique way to target audiences. Account coordinators must figure out the best way to use Pinterest marketing for different brands.
8. What Are Some Job Titles that Are Similar to Account Coordinator?
Assistant Media Planner
Responsibilities include assisting with media buying, monitoring results, and maximizing the return on investment.
Media Planner
Responsibilities include preparing media plans, including overall strategies, budgets, and schedules related to advertising buys for clients.
V.P. of Advertising Sales
Responsibilities include overseeing ad sales strategy for products or services offered by the company, including media planning and buying.
Director of Advertising Sales
Responsibilities include overseeing ad sales strategy for products or services offered by the company, including media planning and buying.
Chief Marketing Officer
Responsibilities include overseeing all marketing and branding efforts for the company and implementing online and offline advertising strategies.
Market Research Analyst
Responsibilities include analyzing data in charts, graphs, and tables to find trends that can be used to develop marketing plans.
9. Where Does the Accounts Coordinator Work?
Account coordinators may find employment in a variety of locations. They work for small, medium, and large companies. The larger the company, the more responsibility you will take as an account coordinator. Account coordinators can work virtually anywhere, but many are employed in major cities with more opportunities at larger companies.
Some of the top recruiting companies for an accounts coordinator include:
- Starcom MediaVest Group
- Meredith Corp.
- Omnicom Group Inc.
- Publicis Groupe S.A.
- Interpublic Group of Companies (IPG)
- WPP plc.
- Dentsu Inc.
- IBM Corp. (IBM)
10. Best Colleges to Study Accounts Coordination
The top marketing schools in the country are ranked below. To find a school that offers an accounts coordination program, look for a college or university that has a Masters in Marketing Degree program. The top five universities with marketing degrees include:
The University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign –
Illinois offers a top-ranked Marketing Degree program and is frequently ranked as the #1 public college by U.S. News and World Report.
University of Central Florida –
This university offers a highly ranked MBA degree in marketing and has been recognized as one of the best universities by U.S. News and World Report.
University of Georgia –
This university offers a marketing degree ranked third among public universities by U.S. News and World Report.
University of Maryland- College Park –
This college offers students an AACSB accredited marketing degree program which has helped to make it one of the top schools for business majors.
Indiana University Bloomington- The I.U. The marketing program is considered one of the top programs in the country and has been ranked by U.S. News and World Report as #30 for best public universities.
Conclusion
The account coordinator career path is a great way to start your marketing career. It provides you with the opportunity to learn about different aspects of the marketing process and develop relationships with clients. If you’re interested in pursuing a career as an account coordinator, be sure to put in the effort to develop your skills and stay up-to-date on the latest trends in digital marketing.
