15 Things I Wish I Knew Starting My Marketing Career

. People want to follow people, not brands. Turn your brand into a personality and growth will follow. And a personal brand is INVALUABLE.

. Behavioral psychology. At its very fundamental level, Marketing is about connecting with PEOPLE. So, study people to learn how to do your job better. Trust me on this one. 

. Don’t focus on billionaires, look up to people 2-3 years ahead of you. And, find people that are in the same place at the same time at the same skill level to partner with and to learn from. What you already know, teach them. What they know, they can help you with. There’s room for all of us. 

. Learn how to sell. *gasp* I knowww, I just said in a Marketing newsletter that you need to learn how to sell. Internal selling is one of the most crucial skills to learn in Marketing. Sales is a life skill, learn it ASAP. When you have an idea, push for it. When you think something should be done differently, sell your reasoning. There are no awards for sitting in the corner and shaking your head no. Speak up and pitch in. 

. Double down on your strengths. Not your weaknesses. A prime example of this? I’m bad at math but great at memes (and tennis).

. Network. Your network is your…okay you know where I’m going with this one. Go to that networking event, be active on LinkedIn. When I started posting for The Marketing Millennials – people made fun of me. When I started my podcast, nobody listened. I still did it. My network (once strangers) were nicer to me than a lot of people I knew. Don’t stop and don’t be afraid to meet new people. They might become friends. 

. Learn or earn. If you’re doing neither, find a new job.

. Become an engineer. Okay, not literally, but reverse engineer what the best Marketers do. There’s no need to reinvent the wheel, just innovate upon it.

. It’s your career. Not your parents’, not your friends’. Follow your path and run your own race.

. Take RISKSSSS. Not being risky IS risky in Marketing.

. Always negotiate your salary. When you’re offered a job, the company has a salary band. Don’t lose out on salary, fight for yourself. Never, and I mean this, except the 1st #. 

. Don’t chase trends, chase your audience. Customer centricity wins.

. Hard skills get you hired, but soft skills get you promoted. Be nice. It’s more fun that way. 

. You teach people how to treat you. Don’t let people run over you.

. Work smarter, not harder. AI is everywhere, how will you use it??