Question

Topic: Career/Training

Burned Out Marketer

Posted by Anonymous on 7/1/2008 at 1:24 AM ET 250 Points
Well I suppose the title says it all. I could truly use advice, a pep talk or maybe even a suggestion as I feel like I'm burning out quickly.

I am the MarCom manager for a chain of 12 upscale retail food stores on the west coast. Our stores are in close proximity to each other and they do about 3 million in business yearly. When I started with the company the position was new. I have since grown our marketing efforts into a variety of directions, and I can't keep up with them all. This company stays afloat because the people who work for them love the product and are absolute workaholics. Labor costs are kept down because a bare bones staff will wear a dozen or more hats to get the job done.

My immense workload was doable until 6 months ago when I had a baby. As you can imagine, 60 hour work weeks are near impossible now. I used to love my job and was proud of my reputation as an efficient, creative worker. In fact, I searched for 3 long years looking for the perfect fit for my mix of experience and interests before I found it. Now I'm just incredibly unhappy. In a perfect world I'd be working with a marketing assistant. But the owners of the company are against adding to the payroll.

I currently work 4 days in office, and one half day from home (totally 36 hours per week). For this managerial position my salary is in the mid-50s. I decided to list everything that I do.....so here it is, and with my specific questions at the end.


Web marketing-------
Creating, research, writing and designing 2 enewsletters per month, each containing a great deal of content, multiple links and graphics (The email list for our email loyalty program is over 25,000). This includes coordinating web only coupons, store promotional information, our blog, index page, extensive image editing and uploading, and corresponding cross referencing to various areas of the website. Also: SEO, Analytics and Constant Contact tracking and reporting back to management this information.

Direct mail marketing-------
creating, writing and designing direct mail postcards and various campaign elements, as well as coordination with our stores, mailhouse, stakeholders, management, etc. Tracking response rates, etc.

Advertising-------
all newspaper ads, community group ads

Snail Mail newsletter-------
4x per year. Full color. content: planning & research, writing, editing, Photograph research, image manipulation, Graphic design – design cover & layout document, work with printers, distribution & tracking. Corresponding uploads to our website.

In-Store Marketing-------
Store hold music, some specific signage for important promotions (though we also have a dedicated signmaker), bag stuffers (when needed), banners, staff buttons and creation of seasonal in store promotions.

Planning-------
marketing meetings, website, newsletter and advertising schedules, budget, seasonal promotion planning, surveys - as needed, and inter-company communications (a lengthy part of my job which needs a lot of reinforcement).

Public relations-------
press releases, pitching stories to tv & newspapers, follow up, etc.

Community marketing-------
responsible for various elements of community donations & giving, community participation buying programs.


I think that's all, but I may have missed something. There are SO many other areas I'd like to take the company, but there's no time or energy left. Hell, I don't have time to even read any of the trade journals I should be looking at. The number 1 question I'm asking myself is this: with the amount of stress I'm currently enduring, is it worth it for me or my family? Wouldn't I rather freelance/work from home part time and then at least get to see my baby?


MORE QUESTIONS:
- Am I being paid enough for this type of work in a major U.S. city?

- In this economy is it stupid to think about leaving a good job that I enjoy? My husband & I need the money, although childcare is eating up literally 70% of my salary.

- If they refuse to hire someone to help me, how can I get to a point where I'm not so overwhelmed and I can enjoy my job again?

- Should I just work from home part-time and not miss my child's babyhood?

Thanks for your input folks....
-- Burned out Marketer
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RESPONSES

  • Posted by Harry Hallman on 7/1/2008 at 7:56 AM Accepted
    Maybe what you need is a job that let's you stay home with your child. perhaps you can talk the owners into allowing you to open and manage an online store for them (or do your own if you have the funds). This is something you could do from home.

    Also, I would think you could do your marketing job from home as well. Have you asked them about the possibility of working form home?

    My guess is you are really loathing being separated from your baby, which is very understandable. Working from home could provide you with the perfect outlet. As you said, childcare is already eating up 70% of your salary. How much time and money do you spend on traveling to work? This might be the best solution for your baby and yourself.

    As for the question about salary, keep in mind that retail generally pays less, so while it does seem low, it may be comparable. Hard to tell.
  • Posted by Frank Hurtte on 7/1/2008 at 9:49 AM Accepted
    Burned out...
    I think we all face this at some point or another. And it is at this point that you have to make the decision is being a wage-slave in your life job description?

    In the mean time, there might be some ideas that will allow you to free up some time and get creative again.

    1) do any of your food or beverage suppliers offer co-op funds? if so you may be able to mine those funds for outside help. Or as a source of revenue to hire some additional help.

    2) I have at least 3 clients who use college students in a marketing intern positions. They typically work for either nothing or minimum wage. What I have found is that these students can crank out some serious work if they are challenged properly.

    3) The working from home deal is a nice option. If you can swing it you save on child care and you save big on gas and car costs.

    4) The 50K salary range seems a bit low for a major city.. but dont get hung up on money. I small pay bump will quickly fade away and you will still be burned out.

  • Posted by Jay Hamilton-Roth on 7/1/2008 at 10:08 AM Accepted
    It seems like your problems started 6 months ago, but maybe not. Maybe your baby made it clear just how much effort you've been able to do (but not want to do).

    If your problem is truly childcare, then perhaps you can team up with your fellow employees that need childcare, and have management offer childcare as a perquisite (perhaps onsite?).

    The trade off for money and a quality home life is a personal one.

    You have a lot of options: quit (and stay home), quit (and find another job), stay as-is (and be miserable), or stay but change your workload. It may be possible for you to figure out where you're not efficient, and delegate this (as an extreme, hire a virtual assistant out of your own pocket to help). You could create a job-share opportunity, where you work halftime, and another person works the other half. You share all resources (desk, computer, etc.) and then split responsibilities based on expertise, etc.
  • Posted by Tracey on 7/1/2008 at 1:25 PM Accepted
    I think you're being underpaid. I've done some salary research, and for my city (San Diego), that type of position should pay in the mid 70s. Check out job sites like monster.com to compare.

    It is not stupid to consider leaving, and it's definitely a SMART idea to keep your options and your eyes open for opportunities.

    Before you make any big decisions, I'd recommend a couple things. Take some time off if you can -- even just a day or two could help you clear your mind and re-energize a bit. Ideally, if you could get childcare and totally relax, do that, but if not, a day at home with baby couldn't hurt.

    Then, I'd start looking at job ads. Whether you change jobs, stay, or freelance, it's a good idea to re-familiarize yourself with the market and set your expectations for salary, desirable skills, etc. It takes time, which may be your biggest challenge, but I would prioritize this one.

    Lastly, I've found that many marketers, myself included, have trouble saying NO, and many don't fight hard enough for the salary they deserve. I've read a bunch of books to improve my negotiation skills and it paid off (financially & emotionally). I learned that people don't respect you unless you respsect yourself. In all my previous jobs, they would always give me work until I say no, and I would often have to fight for and justify a raise with market rates and my ROI.

    Hope that helps, and best of luck.
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