A strong marketing cover letter does more than recap your resume. It shows hiring managers how you think about campaigns, audiences, and measurable results. Whether you are applying for a role in business and finance or pivoting from another field, the cover letter is where you prove you understand how to drive growth.
This guide breaks down what recruiters expect, how to structure each section, and what a polished example looks like. If you need a broader refresher first, start with our guide on how to write a cover letter.
What employers look for in a marketing cover letter
Hiring managers reading a marketing cover letter want evidence that you can plan, execute, and measure campaigns that move the needle. Generic enthusiasm will not cut it. They are scanning for specific signals:
- Campaign strategy: Can you develop a plan tied to business objectives, not just creative ideas?
- Brand management: Do you understand positioning, voice, and consistency across touchpoints?
- Content creation: Have you produced assets that engaged real audiences, whether blog posts, email sequences, or ad copy?
- Analytics and reporting: Can you interpret data from Google Analytics, CRM dashboards, or ad platforms and turn it into action?
- Cross-channel execution: Have you coordinated efforts across paid, organic, email, and social simultaneously?
- ROI focus: Do you frame your work in terms of revenue, pipeline, or conversion lift rather than vanity metrics?
If your letter touches on at least three of these areas with concrete proof, you are already ahead of most applicants.
How to write a marketing cover letter that gets interviews
1. Open with a measurable achievement
Skip the "I am writing to express my interest" opener. Lead with a result that is relevant to the role. For example, mention that you grew organic traffic by 40% in six months or managed a paid campaign that returned 5x ROAS. Numbers earn attention faster than adjectives.
2. Match your skills to the job description
Read the posting carefully and mirror its language. If the role emphasizes digital marketing, highlight your experience with SEO, PPC, or programmatic advertising. If it leans toward brand work, focus on positioning and creative direction. Every sentence should connect your background to their needs.
3. Show you understand the company's market
Research the company's recent campaigns, product launches, or competitors. Reference something specific in your letter to demonstrate genuine interest. A marketing coordinator candidate who references a brand's latest product line stands out from one who sends a generic letter.
4. Close with a clear next step
End by stating what you want to happen next. Mention your availability for an interview and, if relevant, link to a portfolio or case study. A candidate aiming for a marketing manager role should signal readiness to discuss strategy at a leadership level.
Cover letter example
Adapt names, metrics, and achievements to your own experience.
Subject: Application for the Marketing position
Dear Ms. Chen,
Your posting for a Marketing Specialist at Greenline caught my attention because I have spent the past three years doing exactly what you described: building multi-channel campaigns that turn engagement into revenue.
At Bower & Hart, I led a product launch campaign across paid social, email, and influencer partnerships that generated 1,200 qualified leads in the first four weeks and contributed to a 22% increase in quarterly sales. I also redesigned our email nurture sequences, improving open rates from 18% to 31% and click-through rates by 45%.
Before that, I managed content strategy for a B2B SaaS company where I grew organic blog traffic from 8,000 to 34,000 monthly sessions in under a year. I used keyword research, competitive gap analysis, and collaboration with the product team to create content that ranked and converted.
I am drawn to Greenline because of your commitment to sustainable consumer products and the opportunity to build brand awareness in a growing market. I would welcome the chance to discuss how my experience with performance marketing and brand storytelling can support your next phase of growth.
I am available for a conversation at your convenience and have attached a brief portfolio of recent campaign results.
Best regards, Jordan Kessler
Before you send your application
Run through this checklist before submitting:
- Your opening line contains a specific, quantified achievement relevant to the role.
- You have addressed at least two or three key requirements from the job posting.
- The company name, hiring manager's name, and job title are correct throughout.
- You have removed generic phrases like "team player" or "passionate about marketing" and replaced them with evidence.
- Your letter is under one page and every paragraph earns its space.
- You have proofread for typos, broken links, and formatting issues.
For more roles in this space, browse our business and finance cover letter guides. If you are applying for a role that blends marketing with communications, our digital marketing cover letter guide covers channel-specific tips.
FAQ
How long should a marketing cover letter be?
Keep it to one page, roughly 250 to 400 words. Recruiters spend under a minute on an initial scan, so every sentence needs to justify its presence. If you need help with structure, review our cover letter format guide.
Should I include metrics in my marketing cover letter?
Yes. Marketing is a results-driven field and vague claims carry little weight. Include at least two or three concrete numbers such as conversion rates, traffic growth, or campaign ROI. Metrics make your claims verifiable and memorable.
How do I write a marketing cover letter with no experience?
Focus on transferable skills like writing, data analysis, or project coordination. Reference relevant coursework, freelance projects, or personal campaigns you have run. Our entry-level cover letter guide has more advice on framing limited experience effectively.
Can I use the same marketing cover letter for every application?
No. Each letter should reflect the specific company, role, and job description. Reusing the same letter signals low effort, which is the opposite of what a marketing hire should demonstrate. Tailor your opening achievement and skill emphasis for every application.
What if I am switching into marketing from another career?
Identify the overlap between your current skills and marketing requirements. Data analysts, journalists, and sales professionals often have highly relevant experience. Frame your transition around what you bring, not what you lack. Our career change cover letter guide walks through this in detail.