5 Actions That Accelerated My Marketing Career

I often joke that I’ve been working in marketing much longer than I really have. It hasn’t been easy, but I have learned a tremendous amount in a short time. Here’s what I did to get started and what I’ve done to continue growing. 

1. Work at an Agency (or two)

Working at an agency was one of the most transformative steps in my career. Agency environments are fast-paced, diverse, and filled with opportunities to learn and grow. I’ve had the opportunity to work at two different agencies and hold a few roles. Here’s why this experience was invaluable:

Exposure to Varied Clients and Projects: Agencies handle multiple clients across various industries. I’ve worked with banks, restaurants, municipalities, professional sporting events, and so much more. This exposure helped me build a versatile skill set and understand different market dynamics. Each project brought unique challenges, honing my problem-solving skills and adaptability.

Learning to Juggle Priorities: Agency environments taught me how to manage time effectively and prioritize tasks. Working on multiple projects simultaneously required sharp organizational skills and the ability to stay calm under pressure.

Collaboration and Teamwork: Agencies thrive on teamwork. I have worked with talented professionals from different disciplines, learning from their expertise and improving my collaboration skills. This experience also highlighted the importance of clear communication and the value of diverse perspectives. Bonus: I learned skills from teammates that I got to add to my resume and continue making me a “jill of all trades.”

Rapid Skill Development: Agencies are known for their fast-paced environment, which pushed me to learn and adapt quickly. I got to wear multiple hats and develop a wide range of skills, from digital marketing and content creation to project management and client relations.

2. Find a Mentor and Join a Professional Community

Finding mentors and a professional community has been crucial to my career acceleration. Here’s how they made a difference:

Guidance and Advice: Mentors provided me with invaluable guidance and advice, helping me navigate the complexities of my career. They shared their experiences, offered constructive feedback, and helped me avoid common pitfalls.

Opportunities and Connections: A robust professional network opened doors to new opportunities. Networking events, industry conferences, and online platforms allowed me to connect with influential people who could help advance my career. These connections often led to job offers, collaborations, and partnerships.

Support and Encouragement: Having mentors and a professional network provided a support system during challenging times. Their encouragement and belief in my abilities boosted my confidence and kept me motivated to push forward.

Learning from Others: Engaging with my professional network exposed me to different perspectives and approaches. Learning from others’ experiences and successes enriched my own knowledge and skills, helping me grow both personally and professionally.

Career Development: Mentors can help you identify your strengths and weaknesses, set career goals, and create a plan to achieve them. They provide constructive feedback and support your professional growth.

Shameless plug to join the American Marketing Association!

3. Personal Branding—It Matters

Investing in personal branding was a game-changer for my career because it does the talking for me without me even being there. Here’s how:

Establishing Credibility and Trust: A strong personal brand established me as a credible and trustworthy professional. By consistently sharing my expertise, experiences, and insights, I built a reputation that attracted opportunities and clients.

Differentiation: In a competitive job market, personal branding helped me stand out. Highlighting my unique strengths, values, and passions differentiated me from others and made me more memorable to potential employers and collaborators.

Online Presence: Creating a professional online presence through platforms like LinkedIn, Instagram, and a personal website expanded my reach. It allowed me to connect with a broader audience, showcase my work, and engage in industry conversations.

Career Opportunities: A well-crafted personal brand attracted career opportunities that aligned with my goals and values. Employers and clients sought me out for my expertise, leading to job offers, speaking engagements, and consulting gigs.

Connect with me and start crafting your personal brand today!

4. Developing a Resilience

Resilience was essential for navigating the ups and downs of my career. Here’s why it mattered:

Handling Criticism: In any career, criticism is inevitable. Developing a thick skin helped me accept constructive feedback without taking it personally. Instead of getting discouraged, I used feedback to improve and grow.

Facing Setbacks: Careers are full of setbacks and failures. Rather than running, I faced setbacks head on and that enabled me to bounce back from disappointments and keep pushing forward. It taught me to view failures as learning opportunities rather than roadblocks.

Confidence in Decision-Making: Believing in myself and having confidence boosted my ability to make tough decisions. I learned to trust my instincts and stand by my choices, even when faced with opposition or skepticism.

Staying Focused on Goals: Staying focused on my long-term goals despite external pressures and challenges reinforced my determination and perseverance, allowing me to keep moving forward.

Adaptability: Being open to criticism and learning from failures makes you more adaptable. You become better at adjusting your strategies and approaches based on feedback and changing circumstances.

5. Striving for Progress Over Perfection

Embracing the mindset of progress over perfection significantly accelerated my career growth. Here’s how it made a difference:

Continuous Improvement: Adopting a progress-oriented mindset encouraged continuous improvement. I celebrated small wins and used them as stepping stones for further development, leading to incremental but steady growth.

Adaptability and Flexibility: Progress over perfection taught me to be adaptable and flexible. I learned to iterate and refine my work based on feedback and changing circumstances, rather than waiting for the perfect moment or solution.

Reduced Stress and Burnout: Letting go of the need for perfection reduced stress and prevented burnout. I found joy in the journey and appreciated the learning process, making my career more fulfilling and sustainable.

Innovation: A progress-oriented mindset fosters innovation. You’re more willing to experiment with new ideas and approaches, leading to creative solutions and breakthroughs in your marketing efforts.

Conclusion

These five actions have collectively accelerated my marketing career by providing me with diverse experiences, invaluable guidance, a strong professional presence, resilience, and an agile mindset. By continuing to build on these foundations, I have been able to further advance my career and achieve greater success in the dynamic field of marketing.