Starting a Marketing Business: Your Marketing MBA Options Explained
One of the best things about choosing a career in marketing is that there are many different ways for you to get good in this field.
You don’t necessarily have to get a college degree in marketing; you can learn from working in marketing jobs for established agencies, by taking online courses, or through teaching yourself via trial and error.
Many marketers started out with little knowledge and grew their skills through working for clients, taking on projects and figuring out what works and what doesn’t. And, with digital marketing in particular subject to constant change, keeping up with the industry and learning as much as you can about the latest techniques and strategies for successful marketing, is often more important than having a qualification.
However, that being said, many entrepreneurs who want to get started with their own marketing business find that getting a degree or another professional qualification can help them to get ahead.
Studying for an MBA, for example, can be extremely useful not just when it comes to learning more about marketing, but also in terms of setting up and running a highly successful business, which will give you an edge over your competition and help you become a credible option for your potential clients.
If you are considering starting a marketing service business, here are some study options that you might want to consider.
While an MBA is not the only online degree program available for would-be marketing entrepreneurs, it’s definitely an ideal choice. This is because an MBA specialises in all the main pillars of business and along with helping you improve your marketing knowledge and skills, you will also come away with extensive business knowledge and a strong professional network.
Online MBA
If the idea of going to college for a few years and putting off getting your business started, as a result, is holding you back, then it’s definitely worth looking into online study options. This post from Aston University Online outlines the advantages of online study, and they offer a wide range of business and marketing related courses that you can study from the comfort of your own home.
This means you can create a schedule that works well for you, allowing you to continue with setting up your marketing business and fitting your studies around your entrepreneurial commitments.
For entrepreneurs who want to get started as soon as possible but also want to improve their qualifications and marketing background, an online degree is an ideal choice. Some benefits of studying online include:
● It’s cheaper: No commuting to classes, reading materials tend to be provided in eBook format, and tuition fees are sometimes lower.
● Flexibility: Studying online means that you can learn in your own time, and fit getting your degree around your work and running your business. There’s no need to worry about getting to 9am classes; you can choose to study at the days and times that suit you best.
● Support: While you might not have the same in-person access to peers and professors compared to physical classes, online degree programs offer a lot of support. Most students have access to video calling facilities, online chat rooms and forums where you can connect with tutors and other students at any time.
Part-Time MBA
If you want to get your business started as quickly as possible but don’t like the idea of studying online, a part-time MBA program may be the ideal option for you.
Studying part-time means that overall, you’re going to take longer to graduate compared with a full-time course, but it does free up more time as you go along to put into your business.
Part-time MBA programs are ideal for business owners who want to get the benefits of attending physical classes but are unable to commit to full-time study. They are often more flexible compared with full-time, on-campus classes and students often have the option to choose the class times that are more suitable for them, with morning, afternoon, and evening classes available.
Some schools even offer weekend classes for part-time students, which you might want to take advantage of if freeing up time during the week is important to you.
Some of the main benefits of studying for an MBA in marketing part-time include:
● More Flexibility: While part-time study is not as completely flexible as studying online, it’s often more flexible compared to a full-time, campus-based course. Students often get to choose which classes are more suitable for them and it may be possible to change this week-on-week if needed. Evening and weekend classes are often offered, which can be ideal for professionals who need to work regular office hours.
● More Time: Studying part-time may mean that you take longer to complete your degree, but it does free up more time for you to work on your business, which is ideal for anybody who wants to learn as they go along. You can still put what you learn in classes into practice as you launch and run your business.
● Networking: For students who prefer in-person classes, part-time is an ideal choice as unlike online learning, you get to meet your professors and fellow students in person. For some students, this is essential for building strong professional relationships and taking advantage of networking opportunities.
Blended MBA
Are you torn between learning online or studying for your MBA part-time? If you want to take advantage of all the benefits of both options, a blended MBA program might be the right choice for you. Blended programs combine both online and on-campus learning to provide students with all the perks of both.
For aspiring entrepreneurs looking to get started with a business in the marketing field as they study, a blended program is often the best choice, since it affords more flexibility than any others. Students are able to choose from a variety of options including both online and in-classroom study, depending on what is right for them at the time.
For example, if you are particularly busy on a certain week, you can choose to take all your classes online, while on the other hand, if you find that you have some extra time to do so, physical classes are available for you to attend as well. This can be very useful if you find that you struggle to stay motivated when studying online, or you prefer networking with tutors and fellow students in person.
Some benefits of taking a blended MBA in marketing degree program include:
● More options: Students can decide whether studying online or studying on-campus is the best option for them on a day-by-day or week-by-week basis. You can tailor how you study for your degree depending on what is the best option for you at the time, without any interruption of study.
● Networking: Studying both online and on-campus gives you more networking opportunities. Your online classes are likely to be a combination of both other blended program students and students who are taking only online classes, while on-campus classes may be held with some students who are not taking online classes. As a result, students can network with peers from both sides of the spectrum, allowing for more professional relationships and networks as a result.
● Tailored to you: Studying for an MBA where you have the option to study both online and on-campus when needed allows you to truly tailor your degree program to your personal needs. For example, you can choose to attend on-campus classes for topics where you find it more helpful to engage with professors and peers in-person.
Traditional MBA
Finally, you might want to consider the route of a traditional MBA. These full-time, campus-based programs typically take between 1-2 years and require a full-time commitment to studying.
If you decide to take the traditional path, you can usually expect to put your business idea on hold until after you have graduated, as most students will be required to dedicate as much time as possible to learning and the workload can be quite heavy.
If you feel that this is the right option for you, spend some time researching and choosing a reputable business school that offers an MBA with a concentration in marketing. Speak to former and current students to get a better idea of what the course offers and what to expect from the culture on campus.
Decide whether you want to attend a school close to your current home or whether you are willing and able to relocate. If you are currently working full-time, you may need to consider whether or not you can afford to quit your job while you study, or speak to your employer about making adjustments.
Some benefits of studying for a traditional MBA include:
● Campus facilities: You can take advantage of in-person classes, networking opportunities and working with tutors and professors in person.
● Wider choice of schools: While many business schools are now offering online and blended MBA program options, many still only offer a traditional program, meaning that you have more school options to choose from.
If you’re considering launching a marketing business, studying for an MBA with a concentration in marketing can help you get the results you want.
