What do marketers really want? Is it the prestige of working for a big-name company? The elusive six-figure salary? Or is it something simpler—more time for life outside of work?
We asked marketers from all over the world what motivates them. Their responses might surprise you. Sure, money is important, and who doesn’t want to be recognized as an industry leader? But the top motivators show that marketers aren’t just chasing career success—they’re designing their lifestyles.
And it’s not just survey results telling us this. We’ve been testing these motivations in real-time. Our Facebook ads targeting how to get the skills to land high-paid marketing jobs and work-from-home opportunities are generating a jaw-dropping 13% click-through rate—compared to the industry average of just 0.7%.
Marketers are hungry for the freedom, the prestige, and the paychecks that come with top-tier roles. |
What marketers want
by Stefan Maritz, Head of Marketing at CXL |
|
|
The Research: What Marketers Are Really After
The number one goal for marketers isn’t a massive paycheck or the freedom to work from a beach in Bali (although that’s pretty high up there). What marketers truly want is work-life balance.
For years, the industry glamorized the hustle culture—awards, endless campaigns, late-night deadlines, and an “always on” mentality. But marketers are saying, “Enough.” They want careers that give them time to enjoy their lives. Balance isn’t a luxury anymore; it’s the baseline of this challenging and demanding career path.
Right behind balance, high salaries ranked as the second most desired outcome. Many marketers told us they have their sights set on earning six-figure salaries—and here’s the thing: that’s not an unattainable goal, at all. Companies are paying top dollar for marketers with the right skills, especially those driving measurable business outcomes.
Remote work came in third. After years of proving they can deliver results from anywhere, marketers are reluctant to give up the flexibility. The freedom to work from home (or anywhere) has become a standard demand, not a nice-to-have.
Beyond these top three, other motivators like personal growth, industry recognition, and taking on strategic roles were mentioned. But the overarching message is clear: marketers are striving for more than professional success. They’re building careers that work on their own terms, while earning big paychecks in exchange for the value they bring to the table. |
The Dream: How to Get There
No one’s going to hand you work-life balance, a six-figure paycheck, or the freedom to work from wherever you want. These things have to be earned. But here’s the good news: they’re entirely within your reach if you play your cards right.
Earning a Six-figure Salary
If $150-200K feels out of reach, you're just not putting in enough effort. Marketers in this income bracket aren’t unicorns—they’re people who’ve mastered the right skills and positioned themselves for success.
Top-paying roles demand expertise in high-value areas like advanced data analytics, SEO, and marketing strategy. If you’re fluent in tools like Google Analytics or Tableau and you can turn insights into results, you’re already ahead of the curve. Add in leadership skills, the ability to manage cross-functional teams, and a deep understanding of business metrics, and you’re practically writing your own paycheck.
But skills alone won’t get you there. You have to know how to upskill and market yourself. Top employers want T-shaped marketers—those who have broad knowledge across marketing disciplines but deep expertise in one or two areas. These professionals are versatile enough to lead strategy and execute with precision.
Another key is targeting the right companies. Big players like Google, Amazon, and Microsoft are where the big paychecks live. They’re looking for marketers who can scale campaigns globally, manage multi-million-dollar budgets, and align marketing efforts with revenue growth.
If a big corporate job is not what you are looking for, it’s not just the tech giants offering lucrative opportunities. High-growth startups and scaleups that have secured significant funding are also worth your attention. These companies are often willing to pay top dollar for marketers who can drive rapid business growth, build scalable strategies, and help them stand out in competitive markets. Joining a scaleup at the right time can mean both financial rewards and a fast-tracked career, as you’ll be directly contributing to their success.
Startups and scale-ups also give you the opportunity to write success stories and prove your value, allowing you to climb up the ladder faster. Working From Anywhere Here’s the cold hard truth: the best remote roles go to the best marketers. Flexibility is earned, not given. If you want the freedom to work from anywhere, you need to prove you can deliver results without constant oversight.
This starts with building a track record of measurable outcomes. Revenue growth, improved retention rates, lower customer acquisition costs—these are the kinds of results that get noticed. Remote employers want someone they can trust to perform independently.
Upskilling is critical. The marketing landscape is shifting fast—AI, privacy-first strategies, and marketing automation are reshaping the way we work. To stay competitive, you need to be fluent in the latest tools and trends. Adaptability is key. If you can show you thrive in fast-changing environments, you’ll have no problem landing a remote role. |
What Companies Like Meta, Google and Amazon Want
If we take a look at the open positions for at some of those high-paying roles at big-name companies, here’s what they’re looking for:
First, experience is everything. These roles typically require 5–10 years of experience in leadership and specialist positions. They want marketers who’ve led cross-functional teams, managed multi-million-dollar budgets, and delivered measurable business outcomes.
Second, specialization is non-negotiable. You need deep expertise in areas like digital analytics, CRO, or demand generation. Familiarity Analytical Tools is a must, along with technical proficiency—like basic coding skills or advanced data visualization—is often a big plus.
Finally, they’re looking for strategic thinkers. It’s not enough to execute campaigns—you need to understand how your work fits into the bigger picture. How does your campaign drive revenue? How does it align with long-term business goals? The ability to answer these questions sets you apart. |
How CXL Helps You Get There
Feeling overwhelmed? That’s where we come in. At CXL, we create content to help marketers like you reach these dream outcomes—work-life balance, high salaries, and the freedom to work remotely.
Our courses are taught by the top 1% of marketers—people who’ve been in your shoes and know what it takes to break through. We don’t teach fluff or outdated theories. Everything we offer is hands-on, actionable, and designed to deliver real results.
With over 120 courses, we cover everything you need to stand out—advanced data analytics, growth marketing, conversion optimization, and more. We’re constantly updating our library to reflect the latest trends, so you’ll always be ahead of the curve.
At CXL, we also focus on building T-shaped marketers. We help you develop broad knowledge across marketing disciplines while going deep into the areas that matter most to your career. Whether you want to lead teams, drive strategy, or specialize in a niche, we’ve got you covered.
Most importantly, we give you the tools to take action. Everything you learn with us can be applied immediately—whether it’s improving campaign performance, optimizing a funnel, or positioning yourself for your next big role. |
Today’s marketers aren’t just chasing jobs—they’re designing lifestyles. We want work-life balance, financial security, and the flexibility to work on our own terms. These outcomes aren’t mere dreams—they’re achievable for all of you. But the difference between dreaming and achieving is action and personal investment.
At CXL, we’re here to help you take that action and invest in yourself. Whether you’re looking to upskill, specialize, or future-proof your career, we have the content, courses, and community to make it happen.
The future you want is within reach. Let’s get there together. |
Get an annual, all-access subscription for 2025 for only $1199. On top of that, we are throwing in what’s left of 2024 for free.
That’s 14 months for only $1199.
The sooner you buy, the more you win.
You get:
✅ 120+ practical marketing courses
✅ Delivered by the top 1% of marketing practitioners
✅ New courses and updates monthly
Learn more >
* Offer is valid until 30 November 2024
* Available for upgrades and renewals as well
|
|
|
CXL, 901 S Mo Pac Expy, Suite 150, Barton Oaks Plaza One, Austin TX 78746.
Follow us on LinkedIn.
Unsubscribe from future emails like these. |
|
|
|
