Lists4 Things to Know Before Starting a Career in Marketing

Many people were forced to start businesses in 2020, whether it was due to the economic effects of pandemic restrictions, or the subsequent increase in the usage of the internet. This increase in the number of startups will also eventually drive the demand for marketing specialists, if it hasn’t already. The marketing industry has always been a lucrative venture, but it isn’t for everyone. If you’re thinking of starting a career in marketing, here are a few things you need to know.

Learn the Language

The marketing industry can be characterised in three words: fast-paced, deadline-oriented, and jargon-laden. Acronyms and marketing jargon will get thrown around during meetings and calls and most people feel as though learning all this jargon is like learning a new language. You aren’t expected to know the lingo by heart right away, but anyone who says they haven’t used a cheat sheet is lying.

Marketing and Technology Go Hand-in-Hand

Marketing trends are based heavily on the technologies that are prevalent at any given time. 15 years ago, we didn’t have social media platforms, marketing automation, and the internet wasn’t used as much as it is today. Since technology has such a heavy impact on marketing, it’s important to keep with times and with the tech. There are always new tools and strategies to try, and those who fail to master these technologies end up falling behind.

Generalists vs Specialists

There are two general types of marketers. Generalists are those who perform many different marketing-related functions such as email marketing or content writing. On the other hand, specialists handle niche aspects of marketing.

The truth is that the argument of choosing between generalists and specialists has long become obsolete for the simple reason that the market is oversaturated. There aren’t enough roles for everyone, and if you truly want to secure clients, you’d be far better off by specializing in one or two marketing fields. The main problem with generalists is that they know what to do, but they don’t know how to do it. At an age where information is readily accessible, execution is everything.

Graphic Design Skills Go a Long Way

Graphic design skills are more important now than they were before for the simple reason that the vast majority of people prefer to consume media visually. The digital age is accompanied by a need for quick and easy access to information. The manner in which information is presented is just as important as the information itself. Given the wide use of social media, it’s easy to see why knowing how to make attention-grabbing visuals can make any marketer a much more valuable asset to any company. Many recruitment managers check for graphic design experience, especially when reviewing a resume for a marketing manager.

The sudden surge in the number of startups is bound to also cause the demand for marketing staff to spike. The market is replete with businesses that are looking to differentiate themselves from their competitors and business owners understand that in order to grow their brand, they first need an effective marketing team to sell their brand to their target demographic.