Grace's Guide: Ten Marketing Tips I Wish I Knew Sooner

A few months ago, I had the opportunity to give a presentation to a marketing class at the University of North Dakota. During the session, I was asked for advice specifically for those who are starting in the marketing field. I found it amusing because I am still learning new things every day and sometimes forget that I have already spent four years in the industry. During that time, I advised them to continue learning, gain experience, and speak up for themselves. However, since then, I've thought about the question more, and I feel there is more specific advice I can give. I am eager to write this down so I can look back on it in the future and see how my growth and experiences will influence the advice I give.

1. Learn Adobe Suite: My top recommendation for college marketers just starting out, is to invest some time in learning Adobe software. It's important to learn the basics. Learning Adobe can help you stand out when applying for jobs, as many of the tools are universal. Once you understand the foundation, you can apply it to various platforms such as website design, PowerPoint presentations, document design, and editing. You don't necessarily have to be artistic or creative to learn, and it can be applied to many other commonly used software and tools in the industry.

2. Learning Never Stops: Discover how you learn best and leverage it to your advantage. There are countless options available to you, such as podcasts, books, YouTube videos, online courses, blogs and newsletters, in-person courses, conferences, speakers, local clubs, internships and job shadowing, and online groups like LinkedIn. Some of my favorite marketing groups can be found for free on Facebook. Surprisingly, some of the best tips I've learned have come from random TikTok creators in specialized fields.

3. Experience: The more experience you have, the better when applying for jobs or running campaigns. The longer you're in it, the more natural it becomes. I recommend looking into internships and contacting local businesses you might be interested in working for to inquire about job or internship opportunities. You don't need to see a job posting to reach out. At the very least, it will help you gain visibility and keep your name fresh in their minds for future opportunities.

4. Visual & Physical Storytelling: It's one thing to have experience, but it's equally important to be able to accurately explain and advocate for the work you've done. Everyone has a unique set of skills that can help them accomplish this; some excel with engaging conversations, maybe visual presentations, or even statistics to back up claims. It's important to have a variety of examples documented and to know how to clearly communicate their importance to stand out in your profession and reach you and your client's goals. It's a good idea to start documenting your projects from your freshman year of college or when you begin your professional pursuits. This not only helps you build a portfolio and resume but also allows you to look back on your early work and see how much you've grown and progressed over time. Keep your documentation organized with a synchronized file naming and organization system to make it easier on your future self. If you take anything from this, let it be synchronized file organization and get into the habit early. This will help you keep everything clean and consistent as the years go by. 

5. Know how to Fail: It's essential to expect mistakes in any job, but it can be difficult to handle them when they happen. When I made a typo on a client's account for the first time, I was mortified. Although I felt bad about it, I realized it's not uncommon to make mistakes, and it's important to own up to them. While you can't go back in time, it's helpful to look at the situation from different angles. Will it matter in a month, three months, or six months? Is it a major issue that could harm the brand or someone's life? How can you find a solution moving forward? It's important to use mistakes as an opportunity to learn and grow. People respect accountability.

6. Know When to Say No: The behind-the-scenes work of marketing can get intense, especially since a majority of it isn't front-facing. You know your limits and how much you can handle. If your plate is full, it is okay to reprioritize and ask for help. Doing one project at 100% effort is better than doing two at 50%, which can cause more problems and take up more time down the road.

7. Social Media Trends: The amount of times I've had the urge to delete all socials and move off the grid... As a marketer, social media is an important part of routine, and it's essential to stay up to date with events and trends to remain relevant and appropriate with what's occurring digitally. Even if you are inactive, it keeps you informed about what your target audience is interested in and talking about. Set limits on social media usage and create a separation between business research and personal time spent. Find what draws you in and how that can be replicated with your efforts- even if you aren't a social media marketer, these tactics can apply to many other aspects of business.

8. Drawing Inspiration: Creative burnout is real. There are many ways to find inspiration and reignite your creativity. Two of my favorite sources are Pinterest and Behance, both of which offer a wealth of ideas and examples. There are also many software programs available that are specifically designed for sharing work and ideas and gathering inspiration. For example, I struggled to display three text boxes and two stats on a presentation, so I used AI to find examples of places to look and what to search, and it helped me find the inspiration to align the elements in a flattering way. Another great way to find inspiration is to study graphics, ads, and websites from different industries. I find myself wandering Target, admiring the various products and brands, and thinking about how I would adjust copy or design to better fit their audience. By keeping things fun and always seeking out new ideas, you can stay motivated and inspired even when faced with creative challenges.

9. Support Others: It's common to feel overwhelmed by the stresses of work and life. However, it's important to remember that small actions can have a big impact on others. Even simple gestures such as smiling, listening, or even surprising someone with coffee can make a difference. Additionally, showing support for small businesses and social media influencers by commenting and liking their content can be incredibly meaningful. Leaving a review takes just a few moments but could help bring in new customers for months ahead.

10. Goals!!: Manifesting and goal setting are crucial for success in any profession. It's not necessary to wait until January 1st to set goals, so write down five realistic objectives and make adjustments as needed. You don't have to look at them frequently, but it's good to review them every few months to add or modify. Remember that progress is not always linear. The key is to manifest and truly believe in everything you desire while actively working to achieve it. It's okay to start with small goals and work your way up to bigger ones. In just six months, you will be amazed at the progress.

Just look at the growth from the first time I tried Photoshop in 2018!