Does the phrase “online marketing manager cover letter” send a chill down your spine? If so, don’t be—it should!

Wondering how to write the perfect online marketing manager cover letter? Don’t worry—with this detailed guide, you’ll nail it! In fact, during your search for a new job, you may end up writing this very letter—so you might as well get it right.

Whether you’re applying for a marketing or sales role, or are looking for a change of direction completely, this guide will help you to craft the perfect email to convince the recruiter (or employer) that you’re the right person for the job.

The Cover Letter: An Essential Step in the Job Search Process

Before we dive into the finer details, it’s important to understand the purpose of the cover letter. Essentially, the cover letter is a critical step in the job search process, and it shouldn’t be overlooked for this reason. You’re not pitching your resume or applying for a job using keywords or a canned application; you’re writing to convince the reader (or listener) that you’re the right fit for the role and that they should hire you.

As the name would suggest, the cover letter is also used to cover the letter—or document that accompanies the application. This may include a resume, a portfolio, or a transcript (for those aiming for graduate level roles).

Essentially, the cover letter is used to sell yourself, so take some time to craft a compelling letter full of interesting anecdotes and showing off your skills.

What Should You Include In Your Cover Letter?

There are really only a handful of essential items you need to include in your cover letter to make it perfect.

• An accurate & detailed resume
• A cover letter that entices the reader to open it
• A list of your relevant experience
• Keywords that describe your ideal role

Make sure you include all of these in your cover letter, and only put off writing the rest until you’ve got a job offer in hand. Once you’ve got that job, your cover letter can be your best pitch to land the gig!

How Long Should Your Cover Letter Be?

As you’d expect, the answer to this question is quite difficult to pin down. It really depends on the role you’re applying for and the industry, but if you’re writing a standard cover letter, aim for around three to four paragraphs.

With more and more content getting created online, having a strong grasp of SEO and digital marketing is essential. Having SEO experience makes you a more attractive candidate, as does having an understanding of SEO for B2B or retail brands.

If you’re looking for a change of direction entirely, and would like to pursue a job in sales, you may want to take your time and craft a longer letter. While your resume should be a summary of your skills and experience, your cover letter should tell the reader more about your personality and why you’re the right fit for the job.

If you can, try for a written sample (resume, or a similar document) of your work. This will give the reader a greater insight into your skills, and help them to assess your candidacy more accurately.

The Style Of Your Cover Letter

The style of your cover letter is up to you, but it’s worth considering the voice of the email after you’ve written it. Does that sound like someone you’d like to work with?

There are some basic rules when it comes to applying for a job online. Make sure that you adhere to them, and you’ll find that your application is much more likely to be successful. Create a bit of mystery by not giving too much information about yourself in the first few sentences. Instead, wait until you’ve built up the curiosity of the reader, before you reveal any information. You could also add a little intrigue by mentioning that you’ve sealed the envelope, and asking the reader to open it only if they’re the chosen one.

Keep things simple and to the point. Interested in web design? You could start your letter with “Dear Recruiter, I’m writing to apply for the web designer role”. Keep things succinct but make sure you include all relevant details. The last thing you want to do is waste space with unnecessary fluff.

Use Keywords In Your Anchor Text

Many people, even experienced writers, struggle with coming up with the perfect subject line for their email. If you’re applying for a job where your email will be used to find you (i.e. social media manager, or account manager, etc.), make sure you include the keywords you’ll be searched for in your subject line. If you put the right keywords in your subject line, you’ll find that your email will pop up in the email inbox.

For example, if you’re applying for a job as a social media manager, your subject line should read “Social Media Manager – Your Role, Not Your Role, Yours”. You want the email to come up when someone does a search on “Social Media Manager”—not when someone does a search on “Your Role, Not Your Role, Yours”. If you fail to do this, you leave the possibility of the job open to other applicants, who may not have put the right keywords in their subject line.

Make Sure Your Links Are Active

Even if you’ve got a beautifully written email, and you’ve convinced the reader that you’re the right candidate for the job—if you’ve got an inactive link, you’ve wasted an opportunity to gain more web traffic. Make sure that all of your hyperlinks are active, and don’t assume that the employer will know how to get to your site. You never know what technology they may be using, so make sure that they have all the necessary links to access your site. If you’re worried that they won’t have the links, then check with the webmaster or IT manager of the company to be sure.

Make Sure Your Email Signature Is Perfect

We’ve all seen the ugly, sloppy email signatures at some point in our lives. If you’re applying for a job via email, don’t be tempted to just hit “send”—make sure you study the signature of the person who will be reviewing your application, and adapt it to fit the requirements of the job you’re applying for. In the same way that your resume should be a reflection of your skills, so too should your signature. Make sure that it’s always ready to go, and is something to which you can easily fall back. If you’ve got a signature on your homepage, or elsewhere on your site, make sure that it’s linked to from all of your social media accounts. You never know when the employer may be searching for you on social media, and they may stumble upon your signature.

The above article is a quick guide to help you write the perfect marketing manager cover letter. Whether you’re in the marketing field or are looking for a change of direction, this article will help you to put your best foot forward.