True Confessions of a Novice Marketer

As a new marketer, I have felt a plethora of emotions. Some days are up, some days are down, and some days are just downright crazy. But every day I have learned something new. As I think about it, I have noticed some pretty important trends that have helped me to survive my first year as a marketer.

Here are 4 of the most important lessons I’ve learned.

Make A List and Check it Twice – Get Organized, and Stay That Way

In marketing, every day is different. We wear many hats and are often in charge of different kinds of tasks. The first lesson I learned to be successful (and not lose my mind) was to organize, organize, organize!

Personally, I manage events, leads, and campaigns. I also write blogs, punch numbers, create reports, attend meetings, collaborate with other departments, qualify leads, and anything else that might come up in a day.

This can get confusing, and things can slip through the cracks. As a result, my calendar has become my bible. I set aside time everyday to review it and update it. If I am working on a project, I create a timeline with small and big goals and make sure that they are on my calendar. I update all deadlines for events, give myself daily and weekly “To Dos”, and even schedule in lunch. (Otherwise, I might forget to eat.)

So, it might seem obvious, but I cannot stress enough how valuable taking the time to organize can be for the life of a marketer.

Team Up! Use internal and external resources

It is important to not be an island when working in marketing. Even when you’re geared up and excited about a project, there will inevitably be some snags. Make sure you keep your colleagues in the loop. They can help you think through a problem, or look at things from a new angle.

Marketing can be tricky because you have to be both pragmatic and creative. That can be harder than it sounds. Using your coworkers as a resource is a wonderful way to do this. Whether they act as a second set of eyes, or co-lead a new campaign with you, collaboration will be your saving grace.

If you can’t solve a problem or find inspiration by talking it through with your colleagues, use external resources. It’s 2014; most of us sit in front of our computers with the internet right at our finger tips all day long. Don’t let that go to waste.

Here at Trapit, we use our technology everyday to help us become inspired, be aware of what’s happening in marketing, identify problems, and research trends or topics we are interested in. By reading and doing research, I have been able to grow as a professional.

Never Turn Off Your Marketer’s Eye

Something that I find extremely valuable in life and in work is the power to observe. You never know when the opportunity to learn something new will arise. Therefore, try and make your marketer’s mindset a constant, even outside of work.

Observe marketing that happens everyday in your life. Think about the programs you watch, the activities you do for fun, restaurants you like to patronize. Why do you like them? What are some of the marketing techniques that work? How can you adapt them for your next campaign? These questions and observations have helped me be a better marketer and think outside of the box.

Know the Numbers, But Don’t Be a Slave to the Numbers

Let’s face it, numbers rule the day. However, they can also be the worst thing for you when you are trying to be creative. So, when I’m brainstorming new ideas or different strategies, I try and put the numbers to the side and bring them back in later once I develop an idea I like.

The balancing act of being pragmatic and creative is more of an art than a science. Therefore, anything you can do to maximize your success is important. Take the risk, try the different idea, run it past your coworker or your supervisor.

The numbers can be stifling; find a way to set yourself free and you will be much more successful.

So there you have it, the 4 lessons that got me through my first year as a marketer. I hope whether you are starting out too, or have been in the game for years, these ideas resonate true with you.

What are some of your biggest secrets for success? Leave them in the comments section below. I’d love to hear them.

– Maura

Image via Denise Rowlands on Flickr