Everyone who's ever looked through job postings can probably remember a time or two when the job description included the responsibilities of three other positions, but the salary for only one of them. Or perhaps the skills required for a job with the same title but with different companies varied so significantly it might as well have been different positions altogether. When no, consider looking at jobs related to marketing.

Navigating marketing jobs, especially in tech, can sometimes be quite challenging. The traditional approach of using generic, broad terms for job titles often falls short of accurately capturing roles' dynamic and specialized nature within the tech sector. Many titles simply do not align with the actual demands of the job. But there's no one-size-fits-all solution. For a junior specialist, something concrete like an SEO strategist or PPC specialist will come in handy to narrow down the scope of responsibilities. For senior-level professionals, though, an entirely made-up title like 'brand evangelist' can represent their position more. 

So, what are the specifics of marketing titles in tech companies and when is it best to make up your own job title? Let’s find out.

The job title vs the demands of the role

In many industries, job titles are often chosen based on broad and common terms that may not effectively communicate a position's specific skills and requirements. This practice can result in confusion and misalignment between the expectations associated with a job title and the actual responsibilities. This issue is particularly clear in the technology sector, where the pace of change and the need for specialized skills make traditional job titles less applicable.

For junior and middle-level positions in digital marketing, there's a good reason to narrow down the role as much as possible. The required hard skills are quite diverse and specific, so there's no chance everything can be covered by a 'marketing specialist.' Instead, the market breaks down the roles according to the niches. The most popular titles and skills include:

• SEO strategists who develop comprehensive strategies to enhance online visibility, combining keyword research, on-page optimization, and technical SEO expertise to drive organic traffic and improve search rankings. SEO analysts (usually middle-level positions) focus on data-driven insights, conducting thorough website audits, analyzing performance metrics, and interpreting data to refine and optimize SEO strategies for maximum impact.
• As the name suggests, copywriters (or content writers) focus on creating compelling texts. The mid-level content editors refine the content and ensure a cohesive brand voice and engaging narrative across various platforms.
• SMM managers devise social media strategies and should be proficient with various tools, including analytical ones. The more senior-level community managers foster engagement and relationships within online communities. They respond to audience interactions, ensuring a positive brand presence.
• PPC specialists (usually in junior-level positions) manage paid advertising campaigns. Display advertising specialists focus on creating visually appealing and targeted display ads. Both optimize campaigns for optimal reach and conversion.
• Marketing analysts assess overall marketing performance, while web analytics specialists delve into website-specific data. They provide insights crucial for refining marketing strategies and improving user experience.

In tech, you can also see roles tailored to the industry. Tech companies place a strong emphasis on data-driven decision-making. They rely on data analytics to understand customer behavior, measure campaign effectiveness, and so on. As a result, some marketing roles involve a significant focus on it, with titles like 'marketing analytics manager' or 'data-driven marketer.' 

So, how do you sometimes get unusual job titles such as 'brand evangelist,' and why do you need them at all?

Redefining your job 

Unlike entry-level jobs where the potential candidate and the company must ensure they speak the same language, with more advanced positions, the naming becomes more vague, and there's a good reason for that.

Senior roles often transition into managerial responsibilities with broader names like 'digital analytics manager' or 'growth marketer.' They oversee comprehensive strategies, manage teams, and drive overall organizational growth. More often than not, at this point, they do need to have at least a little bit of expertise with, well, everything. Moreover, they are more immersed in the industry than their junior colleagues. So, here, new job roles specific to tech start appearing.

In recent years, there has been a growing trend in tech companies to incorporate imaginative and unconventional job titles within their marketing departments. These distinctive titles add a unique and eye-catching element to a company's brand image, showcasing its innovative spirit. For example, you might come across titles like 'dream alchemist,' which, in many other companies, could be labeled as the more traditional 'head of creative.' 

Tech start-ups often favor inventive titles, emphasizing their commitment to creativity and cutting-edge thinking. Some of the most interesting titles include:

• 'digital overlord' for a website manager;
• 'brand warrior,'
• 'chatter monkey' (for PR and SMM),
• 'social media trailblazer,'
• 'thought smith,'
• and even 'head of chaos.'

Some titles have even become commonplace in the industry. Take, for example, 'technology evangelist.' These professionals breach the gap between the companies creating products and their technical audience. A technology evangelist is a marketing professional who uses talks, content, and community engagement to convert tech specialists into using a product or service. The unusual job title reflects the specifics of marketing to developers and other people in tech. This target audience is well-paid, ready to spend money on products that will improve their work processes, and is likely to persuade their companies to use these products if they are satisfied. But they are also notoriously hard to market to. So doing so requires a skillset of its own, not unlike preaching a new religion, which is reflected in the job title.

It's about the vibe

Will you put a 'digital overlord' in your LinkedIn profile or a resume? Well, if you're trying to sell your skills to a specific type of tech company – why not? 

At a certain level of skills, the employer-employee match is less about the money you get (because you expect a certain level of compensation from pretty much any company you'll be working with) and more about quality. Are you a good cultural fit? Are you interested in marketing the product or service you're hired to promote? Do you share the same values?

With tech companies often being product-oriented to a degree of overlooking marketing, finding a company that appreciates your value is the first step to a fulfilling job. So, while 'brand warrior' might be harder to find by keywords, it definitely stands out and grabs one's attention. And you immediately market yourself as someone creative and willing to take the risk.

Conclusion

Whether you prefer to be a 'dream alchemist' or 'head of creative,' it's quite likely that you are expected to be a magician who can do it all. The good news is, sometimes you don't have to be skillful in everything from writing good copy to video editing – you just need to be able to find an expert contractor. If you don't have enough skills, time, or energy to produce high-quality marketing visuals, that's okay. We've got you covered. 

Contact us at TodayMade and get professional designers to create all the images you might need to be successful as your company's evangelist.