Econsultancy’s ‘Skills of the Modern Marketer’ report revealed that marketers are placing more value on so called “soft skills” than ever before. This can be seen all over the digital marketing world. Many employers are hiring certain personality types and “perfect fits” for their organizations. There are now numerous digital companies who have taken on the relaxed yet uber-fast-paced Silicon Valley style approach (where employees are expected to be self motivators, team players and awesome table tennis players all rolled into one).
And it’s kind of reassuring really – that in a world full of digital marketing madness one thing remains the same: the qualities needed to succeed and thrive in an ever-growing and impossible-to-predict industry. Below we’ll show you how “soft-skilling” up could be one of the best ways for future-proofing your digital career.
Read on to discover how to become the unbreakable, unshakeable digital marketer that everyone wants on their team.
1. The Flexibility to Change (& Adapt)
The digital marketing world moves at a frightening speed with new updates and changes taking place daily. You need to be prepared for (and willing to embrace) change in your career too. For, example look at how the role of the SEO has changed in the past few years. Once quite technical in nature, it can now encompass content creation and relationship building methods too. To succeed in your digital career it’s best to be someone who is not only open to change, but someone who thrives on it (and almost fears being stagnant).
Why Digital Employers Love It:
Fast-paced digital companies need employees who can move with the speed of the industry – those who are both willing and wanting to adapt.
Future-Proof Your Career:
Stay open to change and keep up to date with the evolving trends of your specialist area. For example, if Google changes its algorithm to reward longer form content you need to be aware and incorporate it into your content strategy.
2. The Hunger to Learn (& Keep Up to Date)
One of the most important factors defining your digital career’s success is your hunger. The hunger to learn continuously (for both yourself and your employer). And you know what? Only one thing will ensure that you keep up to date with industry news and trends. Yep, you guessed it – that’s your passion. In digital marketing it is absolutely essential that you find and foster the specialist area that you are most passionate about – the one you’d read about in your own time anyway, the one you’d miss practicing if you lost your job tomorrow.
Why Digital Employers Love It:
Digital companies need self motivators who are eager to become specialists in their particular niche. Because the reality is your manager doesn’t have the time (or the need) to become one.
3. The Desire to Know (Above All Else)
If you’re considering a career in digital marketing, by God you’d better be curious. The best curiosity is a mix between the creative desire to try new concepts and the analytical drive to see if they work. The great thing about digital marketing is that it provides us with the means to do both. An innate curiosity will equip employees with the skills needed to spot opportunities, solve problems and be more comfortable taking risks (if you have to know you have to know). These are all important skillsets and mindsets of successful digital marketers.
Why Digital Employers Love It:
Digital companies want people who have the curiosity to conceive and trial new ideas and the ability to analyse their success.
Future-Proof Your Career:
Get curious about the success of your digital marketing campaigns and learn how to use Google Analytics.
4. The Drive to Team Play (& Welcome Help)
The best digital marketers have a broad knowledge of all digital concepts and yet specialise in one particular area. If you specialise in one area you’re going to need a team to help you maximise your concepts and campaigns. No one digital marketing specialist works alone. For example, your content marketer may need advice from your SEO specialist on how to rank higher and your SEO specialist may need content when taking on inbound opportunities on third party sites. It is important that you 1. like working with other people and 2. are able to do so.
5. The Ability to Smile (& Have a Great Attitude)
A Forbes study revealed that 9 out of 10 times employees reported bad attitude or behavior as the source for job failure. Nothing will future-proof your digital career like a great attitude. And that is because your attitude affects everything you do – from how productive you are and how likely you are to get along with other team members to your ability to come up with creative concepts. Think about how much more productive you feel on a day you’re feeling positive and in “flow mode”. You should aim for this state as often as possible.
Why Digital Employers Love It:
They know that passion and enthusiasm are two of the most important factors for career success.
Future-Proof Your Career:
To kickstart your day with a positive mindset, first complete the task/tasks you love most. Your high will help you get through the trickier tasks later.
– Subhabrata Mondal
Read Subhabrata’s original comment “What are the 5 most important new skills for a Digital Marketer to learn in the next three years?” on Quora.
