Individuals who wish to sit on their laurels, clock in, do their job, clock out, and go home at the end of every day with no change will likely not enjoy working in the marketing industry. While it’s true that any job is what an employee makes of it, marketing success can be difficult to find if there is no desire to continue one’s education.
Indeed, there are several skills that need to continuously be cultivated if a marketing professional is to have ongoing success. The reason for this is that marketing is a constantly shifting industry, tied to the ebbs and flows of consumer behavior trends.
What can a marketing professional do to continue their education? Several ways!
Stay on Top of Data and Artificial Intelligence Trends
The marketing industry continues to rely more and more on data analysis and artificial intelligence. Because there are so many metrics, so many platforms, and so many potential customers to reach, data automation saves time and allows marketing professionals to exercise their creativity with less inhibition.
And the ways in which artificial intelligence can be used to supplement a marketing professional’s work are always growing and changing. Because of this, it’s important to stay informed on any new ways in which data can be used and analyzed. After all, time saved is time that can be spent on other endeavors, such as coming up with dynamic and creative marketing campaigns and objectives.
Employ the Powers of Observation
For all the tips, tricks and tutorials that exist to supplement the ongoing education of marketers, one of the most simple ways to stay sharp is to utilize the power of observation. Observing consumer behavior first hand, taking the time to look at marketing materials and advertisements of other brands, and having conversations with others in the field are some easy, free ways to see what effect marketing is having out “in the real world”.
It can be easy to get caught up in constant streams of data and figures but don’t forget that marketing has just as much of a human element as a data-driven one. If anything, that human touch — not allowing the entire marketing cycle to automate — is what enables marketing to work effectively. Using data and automation to supplement this increases the efficiency of the marketing professional, and should not be used in place of “human touch”.
Pick Up a Book (or a Magazine)
It’s hard to find the time to sit down and read a book cover to cover. This is perfectly understandable. However, there is much to be gleaned from educational materials, motivational books, or listening to industry podcasts.
So find some ways to consume media geared towards those in the marketing and advertising industry. Even listening to an episode ofHow I Built This, a podcast on NPR about entrepreneurs, can help spur some creativity or, at the very least, inspiration.
A marketing professional’s job is to be able to connect with consumers and bring them closer to a brand, a product, a service, or all of the above. Finding ways to continue one’s education will set them up for ongoing success in an industry that’s always changing.
Ronn Torossian is CEO of 5WPR, a leading PR agency.