In today’s fast-paced digital world, marketing is more than just promoting products—it’s about telling compelling stories, influencing audiences, and driving engagement. Digital marketing professionals use a variety of online platforms to connect with consumers, relying on both creativity and analytical thinking to deliver impactful campaigns.
With the UK’s creative industries contributing £124.6 billion of gross value to the economy in 2022 and employing millions, the demand for skilled marketing professionals has never been higher.
From crafting engaging blog posts and social media content to client management and data analysis, marketing roles require versatility. Those looking for marketing jobs in Manchester must develop key skills to stand out in this competitive field.
The 2020 Greater Manchester Industry Labour Market and Skills Intelligence Report stated that employers found the following soft skills highly important:
Soft Skills
Attention to detail
Ability to manage workload and remain organised
Good communication skills
The ability to think creatively, without necessarily being a skilled artist
Collaborative skills - must be able to cooperate with individuals in various positions and as a team
Adaptability and being able to learn quickly
Client handling - paying attention to the client, comprehending their needs and goals
Which hard skills are in demand?
Copywriting
The first technical skill employers look for when hiring for a marketing job in Manchester is good copywriting/PR skills. Good writing skills are essential, as the majority of marketing is now completed online and involves content creation for websites and blogs. Whether you are writing copy for social media, a blog, an email, or a product, as a specialist you must have a good understanding of both your customers and the product you are selling and practice the art of persuasive writing. You should be able to conduct thorough research on the kind of questions your audience is asking and seek out opportunities to produce engaging, relevant copy.
Writing persuasively will be necessary to communicate your ideas, whether you produce your own material or commission it from freelancers. It's crucial to have the ability to write for a variety of audiences. For example, the material for a website aimed at teens would differ greatly from the progress report you write for your customer.
Indeed, storytelling is regarded as an essential component of copywriting as it enables the writer to produce more captivating and convincing material by constructing stories that emotionally engage readers and increase the impact and memorability of their message. This helps to establish a stronger connection with your audience while creating a lasting impression and building a community.
Storytelling may appear to be simply another marketing gimmick, but the rise of AI will only increase the rarity and value of this uniquely human skill.
Data Analysis
When it comes to digital marketing, you have access to large volumes of data. You may examine if campaigns are succeeding as intended and gain insight into consumer behaviour by analysing it.
Without analysing data and performance, it can be difficult to measure the success of a campaign and improve marketing strategies, so utilising analytics can help to improve ROI and inform effective marketing choices.
Regardless of the marketing field you operate in, data analysis is a crucial skill. If you want to advance in your present role or find a new one, it may be very beneficial to be able to show how your data analysis has improved outcomes for customers and the business.
Data-driven choices are now not only a wise choice in today's budget-conscious world but also an essential part of marketing. To be a successful marketer, you must know how to collect precise measurements and data, analyse them, and utilise them to change your strategy.
Email Marketing
In the last several years, email marketing through newsletters or automated send-outs has become increasingly popular, and this is expected to continue to rise, due to the migration towards more digital marketing. Email newsletters are also lower cost, easily distributed, and provide a greater customer reach. This strategy provides businesses with a unique degree of intimacy with their customers because prospective clients often have to opt-in to receive marketing emails.
If you’re looking for a new marketing job in Manchester, one crucial ability that employers look for is understanding how to compose engaging, targeted email campaigns that will increase conversions and nurture customer relationships. Email marketing helps to sustain long-term engagement, and marketers need to know how to bypass email filters and create captivating subject lines to increase click-through rates.
SEO
Search engine marketing (SEM) and search engine optimisation (SEO) are strategies used to increase a website's visibility in search engine results pages and drive website traffic.
Adopting a good search engine marketing strategy is essential for increasing brand reach and visibility since many consumer journeys begin with a search engine.
Employers want applicants who have a thorough and current grasp of SEO concepts such as keywords, link building, and how today's unpredictable algorithms determine who gets seen. By investing some time in improving your SEO skills and becoming a specialist in the field, you can immediately increase your knowledge and employability.
Businesses and agencies are increasingly searching for SEO experts who understand the three components of a holistic SEO strategy: technical, off-page, and on-page SEO.
Social Media
In today’s digital age, many more marketing jobs in Manchester are now asking for marketers to be adept at using social media to drive engagement and conversions. Building brand recognition and increasing customer engagement requires knowing how to successfully engage your audience, produce interesting content, and manage communities across a variety of channels.
Creating content on social media is crucial in 2025. Those in more creative social marketing roles should also be well-versed in how to grab a viewer's attention right away with compelling writing and images.
The greatest potential for both paid and organic marketing will continue to be short-form video content, such as Instagram Reels and TikTok. As the newest and fastest-growing social media platform, TikTok is very popular, particularly with younger viewers. However, this also implies that there aren't nearly as many paid social workers with TikTok expertise available.
Learn more about lighting and composition if you are creating your own material, whether you are using your phone or more sophisticated gear.
Automation
While AI is far from perfect, it can definitely help to speed up and simplify certain processes. With AI on the rise, employers and marketing recruiters in Manchester look for professionals who can increase revenue while saving time and money by utilising automation and machine intelligence.
Automation frequently depends on certain platforms, such as CRM software.
Numerous digital sectors, such as digital marketing, greatly benefit from automation, including automated keyword research analysis on Excel, bespoke dashboard creation for reporting, prewritten and scheduled emails, and automatic bidding adjustments on keywords for paid advertising.
For marketers in 2025, the ability to automate procedures and save time is a desirable and in-demand talent that will only grow more crucial over time.
Whether you’re an aspiring marketer looking for your first role or an experienced professional aiming to advance your career, mastering these skills will improve your chances of landing a role in Manchester’s competitive job market. If you’re seeking opportunities, consider reaching out to the best marketing recruiters in Manchester to find the right job that aligns with your expertise and aspirations.