How To Become Account Executive? – Steps To Follow (Updated 2024)

Have you ever thought of how to become account executive? If yes, then you must have some dreams regarding it. Now, I would like to share my experience with you to understand what types of situations you have to face.

Suppose on a fine morning, you have reached your office, and your boss asks you to achieve a sales target of $30000 a day. Now, you may have the feeling of how you can achieve that right.

I had the same feeling when I was an account executive beginner in my career five years back. My mind got blocked, and I couldn’t figure out how to handle this situation.

On one side, I have to save my job, and on the other hand, I have to achieve my day’s target of $30000.

Here, I consider this situation as a challenge and want to convert the obstacles into an opportunity. There are some essential things that I have done for which you need some knowledge and skills to develop.

Now, to become a successful account executive, you need to keep your basics and concepts clear.

Becoming An Account Executive: A General Overview

According to Indeed, “Account executives work in the sales, marketing and advertising industries, where they manage client acquisition and development. These sales experts are masters of customer service, market research and business strategy.“

The following are some of the major tasks of an account executive that you need to be aware of: 

1. Follow Up Prospects

Once sales representatives bring new prospects, the accounts executive communicates with the prospect through email, video chat, or by phone. Apart from that, if necessary, the accounts executive can also meet a prospect in person.

2. Understand Client’s Problems To Offer Solutions

To increase sales, an account executive also develops customized packages to resolve client issues. Furthermore, they use their business acumen to create solutions to help clients. Additionally, they also focus on meeting revenues and development goals.

3. Maintain Relationships

The accounts executive also prioritizes building long-term relationships with clients. In addition to that, these individuals also create connections that help them meet sales goals. Apart from that, they also communicate regularly with clients and strive to exceed expectations.

4. Set Goals And Plan Accordingly

An accounts executive also sets goals and creates plans as per the goal. However, in some cases, they also need supervisors to establish sales quotas. Furthermore, they also collaborate to make effective strategies for sales.

What Does An Account Executive Do?

An account executive’s main task is to build and maintain a healthy relationship with the client on behalf of the company. They are often known as the relationship manager.

In marketing and an advertising company, the role involves creating and executing marketing plans in the right manner for the client. 

An account executive is the face of any brand that promotes his company’s products and services to bring more sales to his company.

An account executive handles every part of the marketing plan, starting from promotion to the sales activity execution to its clients. You will be responsible for securing clients and developing your client’s vision for your brand.

In this profile, you have to develop your writing, administrative, and scheduling skills to bring your company’s revenue.

What Type Of Skills Do You Require As An Account Executive?

To become a successful account executive, there are specific skill sets in which you need to become very proficient. Therefore, let’s explore these skill sets to develop the perfect skill sets for your career.

A. Superb Communication Skills

If you want to become an excellent account executive, then you must possess superb communication skills. You are the main point of contact between the agency and the client.

You must have strong communication skills to convince your team members to draw their attention to understanding your company’s vision. If you possess excellent writing skills, you can also convince your client to become your brand’s loyal customer.

You must be able to communicate your brand’s ideas and concepts compellingly to your client. It engages the media and your target audience effectively.

B. Expertise In Sales

If your goal in life is to become an account executive, you must sharpen your sales & marketing skills to drive more sales for your business.

You cannot excel in this career if your convincing skills are not sharp. Yes! You have heard it right with persuasive skills. Not only communication skills can do miracles in this field.

Communication skills can only help you engage your target audience, but your persuasive and convincing skills can help you convert those visitors into loyal customers.

It can help you to generate revenue for your brand. If you are working in a TV station or magazine, you are responsible for securing the ads. Thus, ultimately, it will help you to generate revenue for your company.

C. Customer Service & Creativity?

If you want to become a successful account executive, then convincing the client must be your priority. You cannot bypass this factor.

You must focus on keeping your clients happy, and that requires you to invest your time in achieving the highest level of customer satisfaction.

It will help you to execute your client’s vision and to become creative in your approach. You must ensure the fact that your business relationship must continue smoothly.

You cannot take things for granted here to ignore the needs and requirements of your client and have to keep your focus intact in satisfying the needs of your clients properly.

4. Strategic Planning & Attention To Detail

An account executive must prepare the right strategy for every individual client. The needs and aspirations of every individual are not the same. You cannot apply the same plan for every individual client.

You need to change your plan as per the requirements of every individual client. Also, must figure out things in such a manner that can help you achieve your goals in the right direction.

You cannot make the same plan for every client. So first, you need to talk with them and understand what they are expecting from you. Also, prepare your strategy to develop the right message that will positively represent your brand message.

Educational Background Required To Become An Account Executive

If you want to become account executive and achieve success, then you must have the following degrees and qualifications with you like

1. A Degree In Marketing, Business, Or Advertising

When it comes to education, a Bachelor in Business Administration is the most sought-after for accounts executives.

If you want to become an account executive, a strong foundation in business can help a lot to make you understand how you apply such principles in the real world. 

Apart from that, you can also get a degree with specialties in marketing or management. Moreover, you will also need to show relevant experience in a similar field.

2. You Must Have A Communications Degree

Once you opt for a bachelor’s degree in communication, you will be able to convey messages with clarity and in an ethical manner.

Furthermore, since most communications degrees deal with marketing, advertising, and media, you will also be able to gain expert knowledge about maintaining public relations.

3. Work Experience And Internship

Also can show your internship as your experience for any kind of company that you have worked for. Furthermore, you must also spend time in the industry to get the required experience in this field. This will help you become an account executive faster.

4. Get Certifications

If you want to stand out from the competition or want to improve your skills, you can get some professional certifications.

For example, you can get the Certified Professional Sales Leader certification from the National Association of Sales Professionals. However, to complete this certification, you will need to complete a training session and pass a certification exam.

What Is The Salary Scale You Can Expect For An Account Executive?

As per the study made by Indeed, an account executive’s average salary must be around $68,816 per year basis. Hence, the scope and the prospects are high. In that case, you cannot compromise on the quality of your performance.

Let’s get into the salary breakdown of an account executive. The salary scale ranges between $36k-$92k, starting from the initial level to the expert level.

You must stay in the industry for a longer duration to get this amount of salary in your career graph. You must understand the fact that you must have the patience to handle the pressure of this field.

Read Also: 5 Ways To Create An Authentic Customer Engagement Strategy.

What Must Be Your Attitude?

Most people in this field tend to escape from their current job profile due to intense target pressure. You need to hold your patience here. The more you spend time in this field, the better your future will be for you. 

Basically, you cannot expect things to happen automatically for you. Then need to come out of your comfort zone to give the best performance in your field, and cannot afford to take things for granted here.

Final Thoughts

Hence, if you want to become account executive, you must follow the above directives to succeed in this career. You cannot expect things to go in your favor automatically.

You need to work hard to achieve your goals in the right manner. Nothing will be gifted to you for free; you have to earn it. Ensure that your efforts go in the right direction.

Make Sure You Become a Better Professional Every Single Day.

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