Our Experts | Emma Krumlauf
Why thinking like a Marketer will help you succeed.
I may be biased in saying being a marketer is the best career choice and everyone should be one. Regardless of my bias (or not), I’ve found that the skills I’ve developed in my marketing career, anyone could and should be using in their career – whatever it may be.
Marketers tend develop a unique skill sets over the course of their career that when applied, could enhance just about any role in any career field. They understand the concept of branding, strategic selling and the importance of awareness, which allows them to be successful amongst their target market.
Here are three ways you can think like a marketer and get ahead in your career:
Build Your “Brand” AKA You
Marketers use techniques to brand their business, products and/or services to communicate to their target market. You should be doing the same thing for your personal brand. Your “brand” is the way you represent yourself, and your target market could be your boss, the manager of the department, or even the CEO.
You must think of yourself as a brand, because let’s face it – you are!
You want people to have a good idea of who you are and what you can do professionally. From having a positive attitude in the early morning or being the go-to person for getting things done under tight deadlines, it plays a role in building your brand and what you are known for.
The best part about branding is you can craft the image of yourself that you want. When you build your brand, you build your value.
Learn how to Sell Yourself
Marketers aren’t salespeople, but they are responsible for “selling” their brand – all the way from customer recognition to adoption. Marketers must get people on board with their company/product/idea/etc. Those who know how to sell themselves to the right people in the right way are the ones who thrive in their career. Learning how to sell yourself can help you land that job after the interview, or even get the promotion over someone else.
Make a list of your best qualities, and make sure they prevalent on your professional website and LinkedIn, in all of your work and in any conversations you have while networking.
Become More Aware
Marketers are always trying to figure out what’s going on in their industries and in the world. No matter what industry you operate in, learning to check in with your surroundings will only help you. Reading the news daily, researching the newest tools and technologies and following the thought leaders of your industry will help you stay ahead of the curve and do your job more efficiently.
“A brand for a company is like a reputation for a person. You earn reputations by trying to do hard things well.”
-Jeff Bezos, CEO Amazon
