Since marketers are aware that every opportunity presents a chance to enhance the reputation of their organization, brand, or product, why not view a marketing cover letter as an opportunity to make an excellent case for yourself?
Your cover letter is the initial indication of your marketing prowess. Although you could easily turn it into a self-promoting marketing campaign, there are some guidelines you should adhere to in order to be taken seriously.
But don’t worry; we’ll cover everything you need to know about writing a marketing cover letter that stands out and walk you through the process of creating it step by step!
Key Takeaways
The format of your cover letter is the first thing you should consider before you get into the details. Make sure you include all your contact details in the heading.
Make an effort to find the hiring manager’s name to address the cover letter personally.
Focus on presenting only those abilities, experiences, and skills relevant to the job you’re applying for.
Express your motivation for the role by emphasizing how well you know the company.
Check the letter for mistakes before sending it.
How to Format a Marketing Cover Letter
Formatting may not be the most exciting part of writing a marketing cover letter, but it is essential if you don’t want to be discredited without even having a real chance. To ensure this doesn’t happen to you, we’ve created a visual cover letter example and elaborated on how to format each section.
Header Layout
Your contact information
Your job title (optional)
Date of writing/application
Recipient’s contact information
Relevant social media profiles (optional)
If you are writing a social media marketing cover letter, including your social media profiles is highly recommended too.
The body of the letter is where you focus on your skills, abilities, and everything else that makes you a perfect fit. It should be structured like this:
Body of the Letter Layout
A formal greeting
A catchy first paragraph
One to three body paragraphs where you elaborate on your skills, qualifications, and experience
A closing paragraph
A formal closing
The last part of the letter is the signoff unless you want to include a postscript. A postscript is an opportunity to share some exceptional achievements or get creative, particularly if you are applying for a job at an advertising agency or in the creative industry.
As for the layout of your cover letter, regardless of whether you are writing a marketing cover letter entry level, a marketing cover letter with no experience, or an internship marketing cover letter, the layout will always be the same. These are the common guidelines for formatting a perfect cover letter for any job:
Body of the Letter Guidelines
The length of your cover letter shouldn’t exceed one page.
The body of the cover letter should include three to five paragraphs.
Choose a clean, legible font, size 10-12 pt.
The spacing should be 1.0 line except between paragraphs, where you should double it.
The margins should be set to 1 inch.
Marketing Cover Letter Outline
Now, let's get into the crucial aspects of writing a marketing cover letter. Here's a step to step guide on how to write each part:
#1. Heading
The heading should contain your contact information, the date of writing, and the recipient’s details. If you have your own professional website or significant presence on social networks, these could be relevant for marketing positions, so make sure you include those too.
After adding all your contact details, you should also add the receiver’s information. If you know the hiring manager's name or the person reading your letter, include it. Otherwise, use just the title or the company name. Here’s an example of a proper heading:
Good Example
Samantha Jones Marketing Manager 103 Broadcast Drive Herndon, VA 22070 706-222-0284 Atlanta 15.8.2023 Richard Shoker Hiring Manager [Company Name] 573 Despard Street Atlanta, VA 22060
#2. Greeting
A greeting isn’t expected to be spectacular; polite and professional will do, so don’t waste time overthinking how to salute the hiring manager. You can start like this:
Good Example
Dear Mr Shoker,
If you don’t know the manager’s name, avoid using the typical “To whom it may concern” phrase and use the recipient's title instead. If you don’t know the title, a simple “Mr.” or “Ms.” will do.
#3. Introduction
The proven recipe for getting your cover letter noticed among piles of others is to start strong and draw the reader’s attention right away in the first paragraph.
To accomplish that, make sure the first paragraph communicates your key strengths in a slick yet catchy manner. If you are experienced in the marketing field, you can use some of your most impressive achievements, and if you are applying for an internship or have no work experience, focus on your motivation and skills.
Here’s an example of how to do that:
Good Example
I am delighted that the marketing manager position at [company name] is open. As a marketing professional with extensive experience in all fields of marketing and a proven track record of delivering award-winning marketing campaigns for brands such as Pepsi and Ameriprise, I believe I have just the skills needed for the marketing manager position in your company.
#4. Skills, Qualifications, & Experiences
The key to presenting your skills, qualifications, and experience in the best light is relevance. No matter how great your experience or any other asset can be, it won't mean much if it doesn’t match what the company is looking for. Therefore, you will want to research the company and analyze the job posting in detail to understand what you need to highlight.
Again, if you don’t have relevant experience, focus on your skills and motivation or on your academic achievements. Moreover, contemporary marketing is largely based on social media, so ensure to mention your proficiency in using different social media platforms.
Here’s an example of how to highlight your key advantages in the cover letter:
Good Example
In my role as marketing manager at [company name], I led a team of 20+ copywriters, graphic designers, and social media specialists to develop 360’ marketing campaigns for brands such as Coca-Cola, McDonald's, and Mercedez and achieved an increase of 20% in revenue for the company.
#5. Reasons for Applying
One of the best ways to showcase your motivation for the role, especially if you don’t have much working experience to share, is to emphasize why you applied for the job in that specific company. This is how you could do it:
Good Example
During my studies and after graduating, I consistently followed the work of [Company Name]. Your company raised the bar for all other companies in the marketing industry, and I would be thrilled to be a part of a team of such experts.
#6. Call to Action
In the right context and using the right tone, a call to action can subtly spice up your cover letter and help you give off the desired impression. Here’s an example of how to include it:
Good Example
Thank you for considering my application. I look forward to discussing my motivation to apply for the role. Should you have any questions regarding my experience, I elaborated on each of my roles in the resume attached to the cover letter email.
#7. Conclusion & Sign Off
The conclusion of your cover letter should be short and polite, just like the opening. Here’s an example of a standard signoff you need:
Good Example
Sincerely, Samanta Jones
Finally, make sure you review the cover letter and correct typos and similar errors. These mistakes are easily made and can spoil the overall impression despite all the effort you put in. Also, ensure you email the marketing cover letter as a PDF instead of a Word document.
Now, let’s take a look at the example of a complete marketing cover letter.
Tips for Writing a Marketing Cover Letter That Stands Out
Let’s wrap up this detailed guide with a couple of key tips for writing a marketing cover letter that stands out:
Cover Letter Writing Tips
Connect with company values. In an industry in which creativity is the key to success, a great focus is put on work communication, relationships, and the company's culture, as creativity flourishes in a harmonious environment. Show that you share the company’s values to prove you’re a good fit.
Showcase creativity. Some marketing agencies like to see unconventional resumes and cover letters. If the company you are applying for is like that, including a bit of sophisticated, intelligent humor in your cover letter may be the punch you need to leave the desired impression. Otherwise, share examples of your creativity in your portfolio and through achievements.
Highlight your people management and communication skills. While these skills are important for any job, they are crucial for any marketing position.
Avoid using standard marketing letter templates; tailor your cover letter for each position you apply for.
Final Thoughts
A strong cover letter is more than a formality. It is your first fundamental tool for connecting with potential employers, expressing your motivation, and demonstrating your creativity.
Everything you have ever learned about marketing can be applied in your cover letter, so do not be afraid to demonstrate your persuasion skills, ability to devise unconventional approaches, eagerness to learn, and willingness to take ownership of your work.
Give undivided attention to every sentence, and let your expertise and talent shine through. If you get stuck, just refer back to this article to remind yourself of what to focus on. We’re sure you have everything it takes to write a marketing cover letter that stands out!
