A recent study, by researchers from the University of Essex identified the most bland and boring jobs available. At the top of the list were accounting, banking, insurance and cleaning. (And yikes, we might guess that being on the actual team that researches the “science of boredom” would have also made this list if it were eligible.)
But one career you won’t find on this list — Marketing. If you or someone you know is looking for a career choice that defies dullness, this blog should be an exciting one for you.
Do you like to create every day?
Marketing is a vibrant and challenging career that can allow you to unleash your creativity and impact consumer behavior. This electrifying field is all about connecting with people, understanding their needs, and finding creative ways to inspire while shaping perceptions and driving business growth.
Augustine Agency Account Director Trent Johnson says, “I love seeing projects I worked on come to life in stores or online. I get satisfaction from seeing the concepts I helped bring to life, in the marketplace and having the general public interact with it.”
Take it from the innovators at Augustine Agency —we love creating something new every day. Here’s all you need to know to begin exploring a career in Marketing.
Understand the Basics of Marketing
At its core, marketing is entirely about communication — understanding what people want and finding innovative ways to deliver it to them while keeping them engaged. That’s why you must first grasp foundational concepts and techniques that bolster the marketing field to do this correctly.
One of marketing’s most important aspects is branding. A brand identity is what sets it apart from competitors and makes it recognizable to its target audience. Whether you’re developing a brand for a company or working on a personal brand, understanding the basic components of branding, such as brand values, messaging and visual identity — is essential to moving forward. When you have time, check out Forbes’ 10 Golden Rules of Personal Branding to dig deeper into this topic.
Another primary area in marketing is understanding the target audience. This is the specific group of people that you’re trying to reach with your marketing efforts. Understanding a target audience — their demographics, interests and pain points — is a fundamental building block for creating well-rounded marketing campaigns that resonate and engage with them.
Messaging is also a vital aspect of marketing. Messaging communicates a brand’s culture, beliefs, values and benefits to a target audience. From social media posts to email newsletters and from in-store activations to full-blown advertising campaigns, crafting messaging that speaks with an audience is key.
Shape Your Marketing Skills
Once you have a solid understanding of the basics of marketing, it’s time to start building your skills. Marketing is a constantly evolving field, and staying current on the latest trends and technologies is a must if you want to succeed.
Some of the best ways to build your marketing skills are to take courses or attend workshops. There are many resources available online, including blogs, podcasts and webinars, that can help you get up to speed on cutting-edge marketing techniques and technologies. Many universities and colleges also offer marketing courses and programs that can provide a more structured and in-depth learning experience.
A great way to build your skills is to get hands-on experience. This could mean working on marketing projects for a student organization, interning at a marketing agency or freelancing for small businesses in your area. The more experience you have working on real-world marketing projects, the more confident and competent you’ll become.
Master the Power of Storytelling
The ability to tell a story is a quintessential marketing skill. Why? Because people remember stories more than they remember facts and figures. A good marketing story can help a brand stand out in a crowded market and create an emotional connection with its audience.
When asked what the best part of her career is, Account Director Claire Marcus says, “I love being a marketer because I get to be a storyteller.”
When crafting a marketing story, consider what makes a brand unique and what differentiates it from the competition. What are the key benefits of the product or service, and how can you communicate them in a way that strikes a chord and engages with its audience?
To build a solid marketing career, it’s critical to become a master storyteller. This means developing your communication skills — both visually and verbally. And how do you do that, you might ask? Consider taking courses or attending writing, design and video production workshops to buff up your storytelling skills.
Learn the Art of Persuasion
Another fundamental skill in marketing is the ability to persuade. For example, you need to tell a brand’s target audience why their product or service is the best choice for them. Persuasion combines logic and emotion, requiring a deep understanding of an audience’s needs and desires.
Augustine Agency Art Director Jared Jurcak notes, “I love the idea that my artwork and ideas can help drive a brand and actually build it into something better.”
If you’re trying to persuade a brand’s audience, focus on the product or service’s benefits much more than its features. Benefits are more persuasive because they appeal to the audience’s emotions, while features are more functional and aren’t always unique to a product or service in a sea of competitors.
Want to become a master persuader? You’ll need to understand the principles of persuasion thoroughly. This includes things like social proof, scarcity and authority. It also helps to read books and articles on the subject, and study the techniques used by successful marketers (and Jedi Masters).
Recognize the Importance of Data
In today’s digital age, data is king. Data analytics is crucial in measuring a marketing campaign’s effectiveness and identifying improvement areas, which is why you need to become comfortable with data and analytics tools to prosper in the marketing world.
We recommend familiarizing yourself with tools such as Google Analytics, which can provide insights into website traffic and user behavior. Then, learn how to set up conversion tracking and analyze data to measure the accomplishments of your marketing campaigns. Consider taking courses or attending workshops on data analytics to develop these skills further. This HubSpot’s “How to Start Your Marketing Career When You Know Nothing About Marketing” careers blog post lists some of the best free online marketing certifications and courses.
Network and Build Your Brand
Networking is a critical component of any successful marketing career. It’s also important to build relationships with other professionals in the industry. This means attending industry events and joining professional organizations to stay up-to-date on the hottest trends and technologies. Not a bad deal, right?
Whether staying in the know with social media algorithms or learning to use the latest marketing automation tools, staying on top of current developments can give you a competitive edge in the job market. Just like Inc.’s insightful article “10 Powerful Habits for Building a Personal Brand,” says: “Your brand is only as good as you are.”
Building your personal brand is vital, too. This means creating a strong online presence, including a professional website and active social media accounts. Share your thoughts and insights on marketing topics and engage with other professionals in the field.
You can also consider seeking mentorship opportunities to guide your marketing career. A mentor can provide valuable advice and feedback and help you navigate the complex and constantly changing marketing world.
Don’t Just Dream of a Marketing Career — Make It Happen
With so many new technologies and channels emerging daily, endless opportunities exist to explore and experiment with; there’s never been a better time to immerse yourself in the marketing universe.
Whether you’re studying marketing in school, just starting your career, or making a career change, the key is to stay curious, open-minded and hungry for new knowledge. Meaning: don’t be afraid to take risks, experiment with new ideas and learn from your mistakes.
With dedication and enthusiasm, you’ll be able to turn possibilities into real-world success stories in less time than you might think (and avoid a job on the bland and boring list too).