Become a Marketing Expert To Benefit Your Side Hustle: Skills, Tips, and Resources to Get You Started

Introduction

To become an expert in marketing, it is important to understand what it means to be a marketing expert. A marketing expert is a professional with experience and training in marketing and advertising. They possess a deep understanding of marketing tools, techniques, and strategies and can develop marketing plans that meet a company’s business goals. Becoming an expert in marketing can have a significant impact on your personal development and business.

According to a recent study by Gartner, 75% of marketers believe they will be competing on customer experience soon.

In this guide, we’ll walk you through the process of becoming a marketing expert and uncover the skills and knowledge you need to be a great marketer in your business.

Developing Core Marketing Skills

To become an expert in marketing for your business, it’s essential to have a grasp of the core skills that underpin the profession. These include:

1. Understanding Communication Nuances

Communication is a cornerstone of marketing. A marketing expert needs to be able to communicate effectively with customers, clients, and colleagues. Did you know that 55% of communication is nonverbal?

This means that you need to pay attention to body language and other nonverbal cues when communicating. When engaging with your audience, be mindful of how you’re presenting yourself and listen carefully to their needs.

• Writing Different Styles of Copy

Effective copywriting is a vital skill for any marketing expert. In today’s digital age, there are many channels you need to consider when crafting copy, from social media to email marketing. 47% of buyers view 3-5 pieces of content before engaging with a sales rep?

This means you need to create compelling content that resonates with your audience. When writing copy, be sure to tailor your messaging to the specific channel and audience at hand.

• Positioning Benefits

Getting your message across to your target audience requires that you position the benefits of your product or service. Understanding the benefits and valuing your offering delivers is essential in creating effective marketing campaigns. 60% of US millennials expect a consistent brand experience across platforms. When positioning your product, focus on creating a consistent message that resonates with your audience. Be sure to highlight the benefits that differentiate your product from your competitors.

• Ideating Marketing Campaigns

Creating successful marketing campaigns requires creativity and attention to detail. 65% of marketers say generating traffic and leads is their top challenge. Start by setting clear objectives for your campaign, identifying your target audience, and crafting a messaging strategy that speaks to their needs. Be creative in developing your ideas and always be open to feedback.

• Design Thinking

Design thinking is a problem-solving approach that involves empathy, ideation, prototyping, and testing. It’s a powerful tool that can help you create marketing campaigns that resonate with your audience. Over a 10-year period, design-led companies outperformed the S&P 500 by 219%. By applying design thinking principles to your marketing campaigns, you can create unique and compelling experiences that your audience will love.

• Specialization and Expertise

To become an expert in marketing, it’s crucial to specialize in one or more areas of marketing. Here are some key areas of marketing to consider:

• Choosing a Niche

Choosing a niche is a crucial step in becoming a marketing expert. Companies with less than $5 million in annual revenue should focus on a single target market niche. Focusing on a specific niche will help you develop a deep understanding of your audience, their needs, and the best strategies for reaching them. With a niche focus, you’ll also be able to differentiate yourself from larger, more generalist marketing agencies.

• Advanced Marketing Tactics

To become an expert in marketing, you need to stay up to date with the latest marketing tactics. Personalized emails, for example, improve click-through rates by 14% and conversion rates by 10%. Other advanced marketing tactics include account-based marketing, chatbots, and personalization. By experimenting with advanced marketing tactics, you can differentiate yourself from your competition and provide more value to your clients.

• Digital Marketing

Digital marketing is a broad area of marketing that includes search engine optimization (SEO), search engine marketing (SEM), social media marketing, email marketing, and content marketing. Digital ad spending worldwide is expected to reach over $517 billion in 2023.  It’s essential to have a deep understanding of digital marketing to succeed as a business owner.

1. Branding

Branding is another critical area of marketing. A powerful brand can differentiate a company and its products or services from the competition. Did you know that color improves brand recognition by up to 80%? An expert in marketing should have a solid foundation in branding, including developing a brand identity and brand strategy.

1. Content Marketing

Content marketing has become an essential tool for marketers to engage with their audience. 72% of marketers say content marketing increases engagement. Content marketing involves creating and sharing valuable content that addresses your audience’s needs and interests. An expert in marketing should have a deep understanding of the several types of content, including blog posts, videos, and social media content.

1. Tools and Resources:

There are many marketing tools available that can help you streamline your marketing efforts. HubSpot, for example, is the preferred marketing automation tool for 45% of marketers. Other useful tools include Google Analytics, Hootsuite, and Canva.

1. Courses and Certifications

There are many courses and certifications available that can help you develop your marketing skills. The Google Ads certification, for example, can increase your client base by 50%. Other valuable certifications to consider include the HubSpot Inbound Marketing certification and the American Marketing Association’s Professional Certified Marketer program.

“Self learner; reading.”
― Lailah Gifty Akita, Think Great: Be Great!

1. Online Resources and Communities

Online resources and communities can provide invaluable insights and support. Reddit, for example, has over 1.2 million members in the r/marketing community. LinkedIn Groups are also a great way to connect with like-minded marketing professionals and stay up to date on the latest marketing trends.

1. Finding Mentors

Mentorship is a powerful way to accelerate your company’s growth and learn from experienced professionals. Reach out to marketing professionals in your network and ask if they would consider being a mentor.

“Always listen to experts. They’ll tell you what can’t be done, and why. Then do it.”
― Robert A. Heinlein, Time Enough for Love

Tips for Building Your Network

Networking is a critical component of being successful in marketing. Attending industry events, connect with marketing professionals on LinkedIn, and participate in online marketing communities.

“True networking does not mean meeting people; it means becoming the type of person other people want to meet.”
― Monroe Mann

Developing Your Personal Brand

Your personal brand is an essential part of building a successful marketing career. LinkedIn is the top social media platform for building a personal brand. Create a standout LinkedIn profile that showcases your skills and experience and actively engage with others in your network.

“5 Ways To Build Your Brand on Social Media:

1 Post content that add value
2 Spread positivity
3 Create steady stream of info
4 Make an impact
5 Be yourself”
― Germany Kent

Building Your Portfolio

Your portfolio is a visual representation of your work and a powerful tool for showcasing your skills to potential clients or employers. 52% of marketers say video is the type of content with the best ROI, so consider incorporating video into your portfolio. Focus on highlighting projects that demonstrate your marketing expertise and success.

Conclusion

Becoming a marketing expert requires dedication, hard work, and a willingness to learn and grow. By developing core marketing skills, specializing in key areas of marketing, and leveraging the right tools and resources, you can accelerate your path to becoming a marketing expert for your business. Remember to stay up to date with the latest marketing trends, experiment with innovative marketing tactics, and continue learning and growing as a marketing professional.

Statistics and sources:

• According to Gartner, 75% of marketers believe they will be competing on customer experience soon. Source: Gartner, “Marketers Must Rethink Their Martech Stack,” 2020.
• Research has shown that 55% of communication is nonverbal. Source: Mehrabian, Albert. “Silent Messages: Implicit Communication of Emotions and Attitudes.” Belmont, Calif: Wadsworth Publishing, 1971.
• 47% of buyers view 3-5 pieces of content before engaging with a sales rep. Source: Demand Gen Report, “2018 Content Preferences Survey Report.”
• 60% of US millennials expect a consistent brand experience across platforms. Source: Salesforce, “State of the Connected Customer,” 2019.
• Over a 10-year period, design-led companies outperformed the S&P 500 by 219%. Source: The Design Management Institute, “Design Value Index Study,” 2015.
• Companies with less than $5 million in annual revenue should focus on a single target market niche. Source: Harvard Business Review, “Defining and Choosing a Market Segment,” 2014.
• Personalized emails improve click-through rates by 14% and conversion rates by 10%. Source: Aberdeen Group, “Email Marketing: Get Personal with Your Customers,” 2015.
• Digital ad spending worldwide is expected to reach over $517 billion in 2023. Source: Statista, “Global Digital Ad Spending,” 2021.
• Color improves brand recognition by up to 80%. Source: University of Loyola, Maryland study as cited in The Impact of Color on Marketing, 2006.
• 72% of marketers say content marketing increases engagement. Source: Content Marketing Institute, “B2B Content Marketing: Benchmarks, Budgets, and Trends,” 2021.
• HubSpot is the preferred marketing automation tool for 45% of marketers. Source: MarketingProfs, “The Digital Kung Fu of Successful Marketing Automation Users: Lessons from the Masters,” 2019.
• The Google Ads certification can increase your client base by 50%. Source: Google, “Google Ads Certification,” 2021.
• Reddit’s r/marketing community has over 1.2 million members. Source: Reddit, “r/marketing,” 2021.
• LinkedIn Groups are a great way to connect with like-minded marketing professionals. Source: LinkedIn, “Find and Join LinkedIn Groups,” 2021.
• Mentoring can increase job satisfaction by 80%. Source: ClearCompany, “How Effective Employee Mentorship Programs Drive Retention,” 2020.
• Networking can lead to a 10-15% increase in salary. Source: Harvard Business Review, “Network Power: How Does Your Network Drive Your Career?” 2016.
• The Marketing Director role has a median salary of $114,000. Source: PayScale, “Average Marketing Director Salary,” 2021.
• LinkedIn is the top social media platform for building a personal brand. Source: LinkedIn, “Personal Branding for Professionals.”

.