It’s never too late to develop a new habit, especially one that’s going to make you even more successful in your line of work. With the marketing industry’s rapid changes and constant shifts, we recommend developing the following eight habits to ensure you stay ahead of the pack and come out on top!
- Get involved with local marketing associations
Networking is key in the marketing world, and with so many chances to join local organizations dedicated to our skillset, it’s vital to take advantage of all the opportunities to connect with likeminded media moguls. Many marketing organizations hold frequent meetups, and some even invite significant speakers in the field to share their expertise. Savvy marketing professionals would be wise to never miss a chance to personally market themselves in the community or soak up wisdom from credible sources so that they can better serve their clients.
- Take your professionalism with you after work hours
Regardless of your status, title or position, you are a representation of not only yourself, but also your company and its clients at all times. With that comes the responsibility of behaving like a true marketing professional at all times. Whether you believe it to be true, others in the industry are bound to recognize you when you’re out and about. Our leader, Lou Hammond, always conducts herself with poise and grace whether she’s attending a social gathering or running a simple errand. It’s essential in this industry to be kind and courteous to others.
- Always dress to impress
You never know who you might run into at the grocery store, movie theater or even happy hour. Potential client? Fellow marketing professional? Future employer? Media connection? The possibilities are endless. First impressions, as well as continued positive interactions are so important in the marketing world. Creating a solid foundation for your future success begins with how you present yourself, both at work and during your off hours.
- Educate yourself on breaking news, trends, ideas, etc. in the industry
It’s simply not enough to be an expert in your personal marketing field; you must also be well-versed in other facets of the industry. This is important not only for being able to market yourself as a well-rounded marketing professional, but also so that you can engage in intellectual conversations with others in the field. You can add value to your relationship with your client by providing them with sage advice and always being ready to point them in the right direction. No matter what your specialty may be, it’s crucial to have at least some general knowledge of all aspects of the industry.
- Create an online presence you’d be proud to present to a client
In today’s digitally-driven world, the first place we go to research a person, place or thing is social media. Therefore, it should be common practice to maintain an online presence that you wouldn’t mind other marketing professionals or clients stumbling upon. To be able to market others successfully, you must first be able to market yourself successfully. Ask yourself, would a client hire you today if they saw your social media accounts, online portfolio or blog?
- Make connections everywhere you go
This should come naturally as a marketing professional. Putting yourself out there to create conversations is a unique skill that you should own. As mentioned before, you never know who you might run into while out and about, so strike up a conversation with the person next to you at the grocery store, mingle with the person sitting at the bar during happy hour and introduce yourself at social gatherings. Who knows? It may just lead to your next big break.
- Pursue personal development opportunities
Stay hungry for more knowledge of the industry and be on the lookout for opportunities to enhance your skillset. Successful marketing professionals seek even more information than what’s provided to them by reading books written by thought-leaders in the industry, attending conferences in the field and delving deeper into topics of interest. Even if you are short on time you can always catch a webinar, tune into an industry related podcast, or grab a cup of coffee with a peer before work.
- Go with the flow
The marketing industry is fast-paced, so it’s important to be able to “roll with the punches” and handle everything thrown at you with ease, whether that be client issues, rapid changes in the industry or shifts in the workplace. Maintaining a calm, cool composure in the midst of chaos is an essential skill. There’s nothing worse than not being able to handle a client crisis because you yourself are sent into a frenzy dealing with the issue at hand. Practice this in your personal life by recognizing how you react to stressful situations and actively working to alter your mindset if you have trouble remaining calm. Some tips for cultivating a clear mind? Exercise, deep breathing and taking small breaks throughout the day.