How to Make 6 Figures As A Marketing Manager? (11 Best Ways in 2024)

Updated: September 9th, 2024

So you want to make six figures as a Marketing manager? Good for you! Being a Marketing manager is a highly respectable and well-paid profession, and there's no reason why you can't earn a high income if you put your mind to it.

In this blog post, we'll look at some of the best ways to make more money as a Marketing manager - business ideas you can start to achieve such income. Keep reading to learn more!

1. Become a social media influencer ($57.4K/month)

As a Marketing Manager, leveraging your expertise to become a social media influencer could be a lucrative way to supplement your income and potentially reach six figures. By establishing credibility in a niche that aligns with your professional interests and creating engaging content, you could attract a substantial following on platforms like Instagram, YouTube, Facebook, or TikTok. This, in turn, opens up opportunities for brand collaborations, sponsored posts, and affiliate marketing, all of which provide additional revenue streams.

Becoming a social media influencer also positions you as a thought leader, which can enhance your reputation and lead to higher-paying job offers or consulting opportunities within your industry. Given the high demand for influencers who can effectively engage audiences, this entrepreneurial path not only boosts your income but also offers personal brand-building benefits.

How much you can make: $2,500 — $166,666/month

How much does it cost to start: $800 (?)

How long does it take to build: 155 days (?)

How I Started A $2.5K/Month Blog About Motherhood, Life And Travel

How one mother built a profitable frugal motherhood, life, and travel blog from scratch, using Instagram, Pinterest, and paid sponsorships to grow from 0 to 18.5K followers and generate $1,500-$3,000 per month in less than two years.

Read by 7,446 founders

2. Start an ecommerce store ($287K/month)

Starting an ecommerce store could be a lucrative way to supplement your income as a marketing manager, potentially propelling you towards a six-figure annual salary. The online business space is booming due to the sheer convenience it offers to consumers, allowing them to make purchases from their homes via computers, tablets, or smartphones. This trend opens up vast opportunities for you to tap into a wider audience without the significant overhead costs associated with brick-and-mortar businesses.

Moreover, your expertise as a marketing manager can give you a competitive edge in driving traffic and increasing conversion rates for your online store. By leveraging effective marketing strategies and analytics, you could successfully promote your products or services to a broad audience, further maximizing revenue. With the right tools—such as a well-designed website, efficient payment processing software, and robust inventory management systems—you are poised to create a profitable ecommerce venture.

How much you can make: $350 — $13,500,000/month

How long does it take to build: 120 days (?)

Time commitment per week: Min. 5 hours/week

How I Started A $20K/Month Southern Inspired Candle Business

Southern Elegance Candle Company, founded by D'Shawn Russell, started as a side hustle making around $200 per weekend at a local Farmers Market, but now averages approximately $20,000 per month in sales across their retail site, wholesale site, and Faire.

Read by 72,192 founders

3. Start a blog ($44.9K/month)

Starting a blog offers a lucrative way to supplement your income and potentially reach six figures as a Marketing Manager. With blogs being rated as the 5th most trustworthy source of online information and 77% of internet users reading blogs, you could tap into a vast, engaged audience. Leveraging your marketing expertise, you could create compelling content, build a strong mailing list, and implement effective SEO strategies to drive traffic and monetize through ads, affiliate marketing, or sponsored posts.

The flexibility of blogging allows you to work from anywhere and on your own schedule, making it an ideal side hustle or even a full-time endeavor. With approximately 409 million people viewing over 20 billion pages each month, the opportunity to reach a broader audience and generate significant income is substantial. By choosing a niche you are passionate about and establishing a consistent posting routine, you could turn your blog into a profitable venture and bolster your earnings as a Marketing Manager.

How much you can make: $100 — $650,000/month

How much does it cost to start: $500 (?)

How long does it take to build: 30 days (?)

Time commitment per week: Min. 5 hours/week

How This 28-Year-Old Couple Quit Their Jobs And Make $20K/Month Running A Blog

Learn how one couple created a successful personal finance blog, The Savvy Couple, that now makes over $20,000 per month and has sold thousands of digital workbooks and courses, by focusing on purposeful content and optimizing their ROI with efficient time management.

Read by 28,706 founders

4. Start a freelance writing business ($65.5K/month)

Starting a freelance writing business could be an excellent way to supplement your income as a Marketing Manager and potentially reach a six-figure salary. Given your expertise in marketing, you could offer specialized content creation services catering to a variety of niches such as market analysis, digital marketing strategies, and consumer behavior insights. This allows you to leverage your existing skills and knowledge, making it easier to attract high-paying clients seeking expert content.

Additionally, freelance writing offers flexibility, enabling you to work from home and set your own schedule. You could work during your free time, making it an ideal side hustle. Strong writing skills, the ability to meet deadlines, and staying updated with current writing tools and trends will be critical in ensuring your success and high earnings in this endeavor.

How much you can make: $700 — $500,000/month

How much does it cost to start: $500 (?)

How long does it take to build: 56 days (?)

How I Started A $80K/Month Content Writing Business

How David Tile turned a freelance writing gig into an $80k/month business, discussing lessons learned through managing growing demands and maintaining a remote team operation.

Read by 24,760 founders

5. Start a social media marketing agency ($116K/month)

Starting a social media marketing agency could be a strategic way to boost your income as a Marketing Manager. Not only would you have the opportunity to clear your utility bills or save for a dream vacation, but you could also leverage your existing skill set to serve clients more efficiently. With the help of social media marketing tools, you can automate many processes, reducing the time commitment significantly.

To get started, you could develop a comprehensive social media marketing strategy that addresses the specific needs of your clients. An agency portfolio showcasing your successful campaigns would help you attract and retain customers effectively. This venture could allow you to diversify your income streams and potentially earn six figures, all while capitalizing on your marketing expertise.

How much you can make: $1,000 — $500,000/month

How much does it cost to start: $7,500 (?)

How long does it take to build: 60 days (?)

Time commitment per week: Min. 30 hours/week

How I Started A $80K/Month Content Writing Business

How David Tile turned a freelance writing gig into an $80k/month business, discussing lessons learned through managing growing demands and maintaining a remote team operation.

Read by 24,760 founders

6. Start a career coaching business ($48.5K/month)

Starting a career coaching business could significantly boost your income as a Marketing Manager, helping you reach that six-figure goal. By leveraging your expertise in marketing and human resources, you could offer niche services such as branding oneself in the job market, strategic interview preparation, and personalized workplace advancement plans.

With the flexibility of in-person or virtual meetings, you could efficiently manage your time while building a substantial client base. Empowering others through customized advice and accountability sessions not only supplements your income but also helps you monetize your motivational skills and HR knowledge, turning it into a profitable venture.

How much you can make: $1,000 — $235,000/month

How much does it cost to start: $1,500 (?)

How long does it take to build: 60 days (?)

From Getting Fired At 24 To Growing A $140K/Month Online Community

Wall Street Oasis, the largest online community focused on careers in finance, has over 100 million visitors during its 14-year history and is currently receiving over 2 million visits per month, offering interview courses and mentorship services, in addition to building and investing in a thriving online community.

Read by 22,369 founders

7. Start a podcast ($97.9K/month)

As a marketing manager, starting a podcast could supplement your income and help you make six figures by leveraging your industry expertise and communication skills. By choosing a niche or topic you're passionate about and that resonates with a specific audience, you could build a loyal listener base. Equipped with basic recording equipment and an affordable hosting platform, you could create valuable audio content that attracts sponsors or advertisers, providing a new revenue stream.

Moreover, promoting your podcast through social media and online communities could amplify your reach, enhancing your personal brand and networking opportunities. Your marketing acumen would be vital in optimizing this promotional strategy, potentially leading to more lucrative sponsorships and partnerships. This side business could not only supplement your income but also position you as a thought leader in your field, opening doors to other career-advancing opportunities.

How much you can make: $400 — $1,020,000/month

How much does it cost to start: $2,000 (?)

How long does it take to build: 60 days (?)

Time commitment per week: Min. 2 hours/week

How I Started A Successful Podcast Production Company

A successful podcast production company that grew from one client making $15/hour to a team of 10 contractors producing over 30 shows per week with revenue of over $10k/mo, primarily through referrals and with a focus on providing high personal touch and being picky about working only with clients who are a good fit.

Read by 19,154 founders

8. Become an affiliate marketer ($55.3K/month)

As a Marketing Manager, you could leverage your existing skills and industry knowledge to supplement your income by becoming an affiliate marketer. By promoting products or services from other companies and earning commissions on sales generated through your referrals, you can create a steady additional revenue stream.

Given the low-cost nature of affiliate marketing, you don’t need to invest heavily in product creation or inventory. Instead, you can focus on using your marketing expertise to drive traffic and sales to your chosen affiliate programs, making it an accessible and scalable side business opportunity.

This venture could not only help you reach the six-figure mark more quickly but also offer valuable industry insights and experience that could be beneficial in your primary role as a Marketing Manager.

How much you can make: $18,000 — $83,000/month

How much does it cost to start: $100 (?)

How long does it take to build: 150 days (?)

My Affiliate Marketing Business Earns $500K/Year Profit [No Employees]

This case study explores how Spencer Mecham founded Buildapreneur, an affiliate marketing business, and has made over half a million dollars in profit with no employees, relying solely on content marketing through platforms like Facebook, YouTube, and TikTok.

Read by 24,527 founders

9. Start a youtube channel ($146K/month)

Starting a YouTube channel could supplement your income as a Marketing Manager by leveraging your expertise to create engaging content, tutorials, or industry insights. With YouTube's established monetization system, you could earn extra revenue through ads, sponsorships, and affiliate marketing once you reach at least 1,000 subscribers and 4,000 watch hours in the past 12 months.

By sharing your unique knowledge and experiences, you may attract a dedicated audience, increase your personal brand visibility, and create additional professional opportunities. YouTube's immense popularity means there's significant potential to build a profitable side business, turning your passion for content creation into a new income stream and advancing your career.

How much you can make: $800 — $1,000,000/month

How much does it cost to start: $750 (?)

How long does it take to build: 90 days (?)

Time commitment per week: Min. 5 hours/week

How This Couple Makes $5K/Month Generating Content About Ways To Make Money Online

Learn how this entrepreneurial couple made $5-7k a month by helping others find legitimate work from home jobs and creative ways to make money online through their blog and YouTube channel, as well as offering two flagship products designed to help beginner freelancers and new bloggers accelerate growth.

Read by 14,418 founders

10. Create an online course ($91.9K/month)

Starting an online course could be a lucrative addition to your income as a Marketing Manager. By identifying educational gaps in your field and creating engaging video lessons and supplementary materials, you could attract a student base eager to learn your specialized skills and knowledge.

With the flexibility to structure your courses as self-paced or cohort-based, you have the potential to generate passive income, freeing you up to focus on other career or entrepreneurial pursuits. The low startup costs and the demand for convenient, accessible learning make this a viable option for achieving six-figure earnings by monetizing your instructional talents. This strategy not only supplements your income but also allows you to share valuable expertise with a broad audience of lifelong learners.

How much you can make: $350 — $1,000,000/month

How much does it cost to start: $2,000 (?)

How long does it take to build: 88 days (?)

How This 28-Year-Old Couple Quit Their Jobs And Make $20K/Month Running A Blog

Learn how one couple created a successful personal finance blog, The Savvy Couple, that now makes over $20,000 per month and has sold thousands of digital workbooks and courses, by focusing on purposeful content and optimizing their ROI with efficient time management.

Read by 28,706 founders

11. Digital products ($261K/month)

Pursuing opportunities with digital products could be a lucrative way to boost your income and achieve six-figure earnings as a Marketing Manager. Digital products such as ebooks, online courses, or apps allow you to leverage your industry expertise and skills to create valuable content or tools that people are willing to pay for. Given your background, you could develop marketing templates, strategy guides, or even comprehensive online courses that teach others how to excel in marketing.

The creation process for digital products is relatively straightforward, often requiring just your time and knowledge to produce something of value. Without the need to manage physical inventory, you can market and sell these products directly from your website, providing a seamless experience for your customers and maximizing your profits. The flexibility and scalability of digital products make them an excellent option for entrepreneurial-minded individuals looking to supplement their income or even build a standalone business.

How much you can make: $10,417 — $1,766,666/month

How much does it cost to start: $5,000 (?)

How long does it take to build: 60 days (?)

How We Created A $30K/Month Marketplace Of Photo Filters And Digital Assets For Creatives

FilterGrade is an eCommerce platform offering digital assets such as photo filters and video templates; attracting over 450,000 monthly users and generating approximately 30k a month, the founders worked hard to build a valuable marketplace for creators while focusing on digital marketing, partnerships, and content creation.

Read by 11,020 founders

meet the author
Pat Walls

I'm Pat Walls and I created Starter Story - a website dedicated to helping people start businesses. We interview entrepreneurs from around the world about how they started and grew their businesses.