Question

Topic: Advertising/PR

Hiring My First Marketing Person.

Posted by Anonymous on 9/20/2007 at 10:42 AM ET 250 Points
Even through we just hit 1 million/yr. in sales, I have never hired a marketing person. I have always initiated and ran all marketing projects. I have personnally done the copywriting, graphics, promotions, database management, etc. I no longer have the time to run hardly any of the marketing projects that needs to be accomplished.

I would like to hire a marketing person not to just help out, but to initaite, run, and finnish projects. I think I need to hire a young "go-getter" that makes projects happen. Unfortunately, we have very little in-house support (only me) for copywriting, graphics, and database managing. This person would have to have decent copywrite and graphic skills AND be project oriented enough to find the resources outside to get things done.

Is there a possibilty to get a person that fits my needs for 40-50K, or will I have to spend more? Do you think I could hire someone with only a few years experience that can simply make projects happen without alot of micro-managing? Would a young "go getter" fit the bill?
I am having trouble finding interview questions for this type of person. Does anyone know where these may be found?
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RESPONSES

  • Posted by Frank Hurtte on 9/20/2007 at 10:52 AM Member
    It has been my experience.. over several clients who have hired a person just like what you are looking for...
    Graphics Skills are a gift. Rarely will you find someone with all the computer, database, copywriting, and go getter.. who also has Graphics design skills.

    That being said, Graphic Stuff is not a daily need, and it can be purchased out of house pretty cheaply.

    You didnt list where you are located, but in Iowa, non-Chicago, Minneapolis, Indy Midwest. You could get the "pick of the litter" out of a good 4 year program for under 40.

    Hope this helps...
  • Posted by ilan on 9/20/2007 at 10:56 AM Member
    The notion that young, very knowledgeable, cheap labor exists out there is just a rumor.
    The wonderful young people with one or two years experience under their belts, are still struggling to find their way in our world.
    Would you like to hire a person who will always turn to this board to find all the answers?
    Or would you like to hire someone who will hit the ground running...
    Would you like to hire a person who will be confused as to what the expectations are? as in: will I write an ad today? will I design an ad today? will I come up with a promotional strategy today? will I go and talk to the trade today?
    You have to make up your mind: either come up with more money and hire a real marketing person ( not a writer, not a graphic designer, not an art director a MARKETING PRO!)
    Or don't hire anyone until you have a very clear definition of your set of expectations and objectives from that hire.
  • Posted on 9/20/2007 at 11:54 AM Author
    Since I received 5 responses all at once, I will address each response in order of posting.

    Casey,

    We are CallerID.com, based out of Atlanta, GA. We have produced and sold our products B2B for about 10 years. We manufacture Caller ID-to-computer based electronics. There is very little competition, we control about 80% of this small market.

    We have 3 basic needs. 1) Promoting to existing customers 2) Expanding the marketplace for existing products 3) Promoting three new products. Projects is these areas are well-defined. Therefore, I don't need a marketing genuis, simply a project oriented. "make it happen" type.

    Frank,

    Point well taken on the Graphics experience. Graphics can always be "farmed out". I still believe copywriting skills are still a must.

    Brenda,

    I really don't know if 40-50K is competative for what I believe I need. We have used agencies in the past. They do a great job but we don't need to pay for the perfection that they offer. In our business, getting the word out in a professional enough looking piece makes us more money than striving for the perfect piece. In our situation, volume overides perfection. Many small well-defined projects in different areas seem to dictate hiring in-house.

    JCrooks,

    Truely valuable input. Thanks a bunch!

    Ilan,

    Are you not feeling well today?

    NuCoPro,

    See the above response to Brenda.

    As I am finishing this response, 2 more postings have arrived...wow!

  • Posted on 9/20/2007 at 11:56 AM Member
    I am a little over one year out of college and I was hired at my current company to do the same thing you are asking.

    The toughest thing for your new marketing employee is learning the trade. The type of trade you are in determines more of your need and where the market is at. I have been at my place of work for almost six months and that has been my biggest challenge is learning all the components of the HVAC industry and I have found out are reps are old fashioned and I have to combine new ideas with older more traditional styles. I have learned a lot and brought on new ideas that they have never used and it has helped gain communications between us and the market. I also think getting your new employee working all the way through the project process will be beneficial.

    I think you can train this person to be your protégée just encourage them and teach them the process. They will have the creativity and most of the skill sets they need to make your company better. That will allow you to focus on the business side and less on the creative side.

    If you have any questions go to my profile to get my e-mail address and we can talk more.
  • Posted on 9/20/2007 at 12:13 PM Member
    Go Getters is not just for the young. If you want a person to complete project well and succesfully - well get an experienced person. I hired a bright talented person fours year out from college. They were still learning alot. Still bright and a go getter, but not enough experience. I iwould consider finding:

    A) expereinced go getter (mom or person willing to work 25 to 30 hours at a lower salary)

    B) a contractor like myself and save money on the taxes and health care costs

  • Posted on 9/20/2007 at 4:20 PM Author
    Not so, we have used small firms. Even 1 man companies. I don't want to farm out projects, such as, a quantity of 100 mail pieces targeted to specific existing dealers. It would be much quicker and less expensive to design a piece, print in with a color laser on high quality paper and send it out.

    I need someone who can call prospects, send thank you cards, write copy for a new product for posting on our website, do a 1 page monthly newsletter, and of course, drive larger projects. Maybe on the large projects this same person would interface with consulting firm to "make it happen", but I sure don't have the time. I need someone in-house.

    I was hoping for a couple more tips on hiring an in-house person, but thanks for the post.
  • Posted by kathie on 9/20/2007 at 5:03 PM Accepted
    Wow, long thread here with a wide range of answers!

    I support the opinion that you CAN get someone for that salary range who is very motivated--someone who wants to gain more experience in the trade and perhaps even wants to stay and grow with the company. This can be someone who has a 2 or 4 year degree (in marketing or another field) with maybe a couple years of experience as a marketing assistant or associate.

    Age isn't important--motivation is. You can train a highly motivated person as you go. Salary isn't always important. Many folks change their profession several times in their life and are looking for an opportunity for experience in their newly chosen profession. Some of these folks come from high-tech jobs, some were teachers, and so on.

    Consider some of these interview questions:
    Why do you feel you are right for this position?
    What are your thoughts on continuous learning?
    If I'm not available to assist you when you are trying to resolve a problem, what would you do?
    What areas of marketing are you most interested in?
    Least interested?
    Give me an example of how you planned and executed a recent (large, small or independent portion of a) project.
    What trade publications do you read or subscribe to?

    Their answers will guide you in your choice.

    You MUST check their references and the legitimacy of their resume. This will save future aggravation.

    I might also give each interviewee an assignment or two. Write it ahead of time to save you time during the interview process. Leave them alone in a conference room for 1/2 hour (per "test") and see what they come up with. (Not a take-home project--needs to be their own work and under pressure.)

    1. Write some copy for a certain project. Of course it will be only a draft, but you'll get an idea if they have any potential for this.

    2. Give them an example of a small project and ask them to suggest how they would promote .... and why.

    While you're giving these "tests" you're getting new ideas for your own business, maybe solving some of your upcoming marketing campaigns.

    I wish you the best of luck with your new marketing employee!
  • Posted by Corpcommer on 9/21/2007 at 3:48 AM Accepted
    Hi, kruehle!

    You should find out the salary ranges for marketing professionals in your area.

    Use the portal
    https://goodsource.tripod.com/
    and on the "Career" page you'll see salary guides.

    Feel free to e-mail me for more help.

    Good luck.

    Corpcommer / MC
  • Posted by Harry Hallman on 9/21/2007 at 7:59 AM Accepted
    I have been running companies in Atlanta since 1982 and this is a great market for marketing people. That salary should work for someone with a couple years experience. You are not looking for a strategist but rather and marking communications person, a project leader if you like. You seem to like the strategy end of marketing and that is probably best for a small company.

    Atlanta has great schools like Georgia State, Emory, and so on. They also have job placement programs. Talk to them as they often not only provide recent grads, but also take care of alumni.

    Try an ad on www.craigslist.com and www.linkedin.com.

    Also, consider making this a couple of part time positions that grad students can fill. You might even be able to get an additional intern with the money. As they approach graduation, you could consider the best of them for a full time job.

    One piece of advice. I know you are busy, but if you do not spend time and provide guidance to your new young marking communications person, you will not be getting what you want from this position. An older more expensive person would need less of your time assuming you are willing to give up responsibility to them, but at your size company, I just don’t see that working.

    Hope this helps.

    Harry Hallman


  • Posted by k.pohlman on 9/21/2007 at 9:09 AM Member
    kruehle,

    Have you thought of an intern or a temp? I realize these are major projects you're wanting them to take on. I just feel that it gives you an opportunity to see what people can bring to the table.

    If they prove themselves after a good period of time you can negotiate salary at that point.

    Good luck!
  • Posted on 9/21/2007 at 9:27 AM Author
    I appreciate this idea, but I have needed a full-time person for quite a while. Salary is not a major concern. If I have to pay 60K instead of 40K for the right person, results should pay for themselves. Believe it or not, I would rather just "jump in" with a full-time person, fire them if neccessary, and get another person and try again until I find the right one. This may turn out to become an expensive approach, but once I find the right full-time employee, it will pay off for years to come. If I go at this slow, hire an intern, train them, wait for them to graduate, and finally hire them full-time, I may be in this same situation next year.

    Everyone, thank you for your input, I will be cosing this thread now.
  • Posted on 9/21/2007 at 9:43 AM Member
    What is your location? I might know some young energetic hard workers in your area.
  • Posted on 9/21/2007 at 10:42 AM Author
    Atlanta
  • Posted on 9/21/2007 at 10:54 AM Member
    Can you e-mail me your company name and phone number. I have a friend that lives there and is a new graduate and a newly-wed.

    Send me your info and I will have her get in touch with you or see if she has any other contacts up there that may be a good fit for you.
  • Posted on 9/24/2007 at 8:44 AM Member
    Kruehle.

    Let me know your company name and contact information, I know of someone in Atlanta with copywriting background as well as graphics and marketing. She would be a great fit for a smaller company like yours. Just click on my profile to see my e-mail address and I will give you her information as well.
  • Posted on 9/24/2007 at 11:04 AM Author
    Thanks for the time you spent telling me about you experience. I agree, for a while, I will need to "own the projects", keep the employee on track, and make sure that they simply get the tasks done to accomplished the projects. After a while, I would hope that they could own projects and simple use me as a resource to accomplish them.

    After some thought, I do have 2 employees in-house that can put together any necessary graphics required. Therefore, graphics expertise is not a requirement.

    I simply need a person to "make it happen" and a project finisher. I have met so few finishers in my life that I end up becoming the owner and finishing most every project. This drives me insane.

    I still wonder whether there are low to mid-level employees (40-50K) out there in the marketing arena that actually take on projects, own them, and subsequently, finish them. I would hate to train someone for months, only to realize that they are simply task oriented and not project oriented.
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