Although the mediums and strategies they use might vary, businesses in almost every industry rely on advertising. Getting familiar with the fundamental principles of advertising and marketing is essential for anyone who wants to make a career in business, and that’s why it’s part of the curriculum in the Business Administration associate degree program at IMBC.
Understanding the Fundamentals of Advertising
At the most basic level, we can explain how modern businesses determine their advertising strategy in four steps.
Determine the audience. Who is the business trying to reach through their advertising? Market research using demographic data and behavioral analysis helps companies determine the ideal target audience for their products.
Choose the channels. Different advertising channels and media types – television, print, social media, etc. – all have their own strengths and weaknesses depending on factors like the budget and the audience the business needs to reach.
Devise the message. Before you can think about the “creative” side of a particular ad campaign, brand positioning has to establish the “identity” of the brand and the comparative advantages or “selling points” that differentiate it from competitors in the market.
Measure results. Businesses must have a way of assessing whether their advertising campaigns are succeeding or failing. Key performance indicators (KPIs), return on investment (ROI), conversion rates, and customer retention help businesses determine whether their advertising is effective so that they can adjust their budgets and strategy.
Why Learn Advertising and Marketing Concepts?
In-depth knowledge of advertising and marketing isn’t mandatory unless you intend to specialize in that area in your career. Still, learning the basics makes you a more well-rounded professional. Working knowledge of advertising and marketing concepts are especially important if you aspire to management positions where you will need a more holistic understanding of business plans and all the “moving parts” of a company’s day to day operations.
Of course, marketing and advertising is a vast and thriving field in its own right, with many opportunities to specialize in the aspects you find the most rewarding. Learning the foundational concepts through a Business Administration program at IMBC might inspire a passion that leads to a career as a marketer.
What You Learn in a Business Administration Associate Degree Program
Students in the Business Administration – Marketing and Management program at IMBC will get a well-rounded education that prepares them for entry-level office positions in many types of organizations. In addition to the fundamentals of marketing, the program covers:
- Principles and practical techniques for managing teams and projects
- Computer skills and commonly used software like Microsoft Word and Excel
- Helpful general education courses like psychology and public speaking
As the capstone to the program, all students participate in a practicum that lets them put their new skills to the test in a real business setting under supervision from working professionals.
Launch Your Career with IMBC
IMBC’s Business Administration associate degree program can have you ready to start a more stable and rewarding career in less than two years. Enroll today or contact us to learn more!