Marketing is an ever-expanding industry full of innovative leaders and inspiring change-makers. As technology has advanced over the past decades, marketers have had to refine their strategies and acquire new skills to keep up with the latest trends of digital marketing. 

Whether you specialize in video, email, social media, content, SEO, or sales, you’re bound to fall short without the right skills. So what do you need for successful marketing? What makes a truly great marketer? We’ve compiled a short list of essential skills you need for success in the industry.

1. Empathy

Empathy is the capacity to recognize and understand others’ emotions. In a company, empathy allows you to compromise and collaborate with others. In marketing, empathy helps you understand your customer, so you can create relevant content and provide successful products and services. Your goal is to connect with them and make them love what they’re buying. Only then can you delve deeper into the specifics of your marketing campaign, like determining which platform to use and what type of content to post to get the best results. 

2. Creativity

Now you understand your buyer’s motivation. How can you deliver your message effectively? The answer is simple. Through a captivating story that resonates. Something that leaves a lasting impression of your company’s mission and brand. 

Crunching numbers can come easily to many, but telling a story takes creativity and practice. Many marketers today tell emotionally captivating stories. According to LinkedIn, 7% of marketers list storytelling as a skill on their profile. To hone your creative writing and design skills, consistently create blog content. Learning to share the impact of data in a relatable way will help you develop stronger connections with your target audience. While there will be days you’ll have to manage budgets and deadlines, be sure to allocate time for creative thinking.

3. Adaptability

We’ve covered the who’s and why’s of great marketing… What about how you’re going to do it? Whether you’ve just started your career or climbed to the top, having the ability to adapt to the demands of a marketing job is very important. Your marketing strategies and campaigns will need to change with every new project, client, and trend. So if you’re not evolving, you’re falling behind the crowd. Keep up with the latest news and insights to adjust your marketing accordingly. That’s not to say to market without authenticity. Strive for a balance of trendy and genuine marketing. 

4. Decisiveness

CHAOS! Another crisis strikes at an unfortunate time, yet again. Client #1 has rejected all your campaign plans. Client #2 has decided to sue. Your assistant is quitting. A new intern is coming in today. Your new line of products poses a health threat. What’re you going to do about it? 

The fast-paced marketing world forces many to hustle with the bustle. As a marketer, you’ll have to prepare for the unexpected and make plans to resolve conflicts, all while juggling several projects with strict deadlines. To make decisions and follow through with them, prioritize certain projects, create schedules, and prepare content calendars. Test everything and don’t assume anything.

5. Teamwork

In the end, marketing is about fostering meaningful relationships, both with your clients and within your team. Because marketers are team players, they rely on collaboration, feedback, and ideation to complete projects. They thrive in creative spaces where people share various perspectives. In working with other departments, including but not limited to the sales, finance, customer service, and IT teams, marketers reach results they’re proud of.

Marketers are expected to juggle many roles, with the most important one being the job to connect with people in a genuine, relatable way. If you want to make a difference to your customers and your team, evolve your marketing skills and strategies. Think outside the box and trust yourself to deliver results that wow!