Marketing careers have changed dramatically. For instance, when I started there was no such thing as a CMO and someone from a marketing position would never make the C-suite. Today, not only is the role of CMO something that everyone in marketing is working towards, a c-suite position is now attainable and in most big corporations, there is someone with a marketing degree in senior management and on a board level.

If you are starting off your career in marketing, there are a few insights that may help you fast track your path based on the hundreds of marketers that I have worked with over the past three decades.

Firstly, your mindset is everything.

Know your strengths and weaknesses

When we do a marketing strategy, we outline a company or brands strengths and weaknesses, opportunities and threats. Have you ever tried to do this for yourself? It’s a great exercise that helps you identify areas to work on so that weaknesses become strengths, and threats become opportunities.

Spend time in therapy

One of the biggest challenges that marketers (and people) find in becoming their ‘best self’ is their minds. “Whether you think you can or whether you think you can’t, you’re right!” said Henry Ford. This saying rings true for everyone, but it is your mindset that sets you apart. 

It’s human to have self-doubt or to think that something is not in reach, but if you change the way you think, and take away your limitations based on mindset, anything is possible.

What therapy teaches us is to not overthink things and process information better. It also gives us tools to reign in the emotions that may influence our decision making.

Who hasn’t told a boss to “put their jobs up their behinds!” only to find the junior in the office become the future CEO? If only we saw both sides of the conversation, understood our part and realized that even bosses are human and make mistakes, perhaps it would have been us in that job.

Be goal-orientated

If you have a goal and a plan in place, the changes of achieving it is very high. The best sport stars in the world had a goal and they followed their plan. Don’t be afraid to have big goals and remind yourself daily of what you want to achieve and how you are going to get there.

Be prepared for the hard work

“There’s no shortage of remarkable ideas, what’s missing is the will to execute them.” Seth Godin.

A goal is one thing. A plan is another. But executing it is key to achieving goals. What many people don’t realize is that most people that reach the peak in their careers have worked harder than everyone else. Their success didn’t happen by accident and was not a result of “luck”.

Learning and development – key

“Constant, relentless improvement is always necessary!” Mellissah Smith

Will Rogers said, “Even if you are on the right track, you will get run over if you just sit there.” The same can be said about your career. Constantly learning new things, experimenting with ways of doing things better and developing your skills will ensure that you are streets ahead of your competition. In marketing, the learning curve never stops. There should never be a period in your career as a marketer where you stand still.

Fast track your career to marketing manager 

If you have a few years under your belt in marketing, it’s time to think about whether you want to continue a career in the field. If you love marketing, like I do, you will start to process what you need to do to be capable of reaching the next level.

Consider:

Competency in marketing strategy

One of the most important jobs for any marketing manager is marketing strategy and planning. Many marketers have learned the basics at college but failed to use these skills or develop them in the real world.

Fortunately, with technology as it is, companies like Robotic Marketer write the marketing strategy for you, but it still requires you to input data on your company and set goals. Make this your strength.

How to “sell” Robotic Marketer into your company as a must-have tool.

Part of being a marketing manager is the ability to create change and drive the future of your organization. To do this, you will need to have the right tools in place to help you do the best job possible. Just like CRM, email marketing or marketing automation software, marketing strategy technology platforms are the foundation to run marketing departments. When “selling” Robotic Marketer into your organization, make sure you communicate:

• How much time it would take for you to develop a marketing strategy and the cost to the organization (weeks/months)
• How long it takes to develop media, event, awards, linkedin groups etc lists (days/weeks)
• Ongoing reporting requirements
• Access to influencers
• Content suggestions to drive content marketing performance

Ability to uncover the best ways to do marketing

As a marketing manager, your job is to add-value to the marketing function in the business and drive performance. Part of this equation is to find ways of doing things better, saving money on marketing activations and using technology to automate processes freeing up the time of your team. 

Within one month of a new position in any organization, you should be going to senior management with a list of things that under your stewardship, you are able to improve.

Learn how to present

Whether you are presenting in a meeting or on behalf of the company at an event, your role as a marketing manager will require you to get up in front of people. Do a public speaking course, watch videos on YouTube of great speakers and find your own voice that differentiates you from the pack. This will give your audience confidence in your capabilities and ensure that they engage with your message.

Fall in love with your sales team

Strong, powerful marketing managers know that without sales, there is no company. By understanding your sales team and ensuring that they have all the marketing assets and campaigns behind their push to drive new business to the organization. Help your sales team have “no excuse to not sell” by giving them everything they need.

Change, continually

“The measure of intelligence is the ability to change” Albert Einstein once said. This rings true for marketers and anyone in management positions. Change is necessary to adapt to new working environments, changes in marketing practices, new technologies and becoming the best version of yourself.

If you invest in change, you will reach your goals – and don’t be surprised if you exceed them!

On a final note: “The way to get started is to quit talking and begin doing” Walt Disney. Now get to it!