It can be said that no professional is ever truly done learning—even ones with years of experience. This is especially true for marketing professionals, as the interests and behaviors of consumers are constantly changing, meaning the way companies must market to them must change as well. In order to keep up, marketers must continue to hone a number of skills throughout their careers, whether that’s through online courses or continued on-the-job training.
While not every skill or trait should be given the same amount of attention, there are a few that should make the top of your list. Here, the business leaders of Young Entrepreneur Council share nine skills or traits even the best marketing leaders should continue to work on and why.
1. Data Analysis
I believe that, in the age of digital marketing, one skill that even the best marketing leaders should continue to work on is data analysis. This is true because marketing leaders must possess strong data analysis skills to extract valuable insights from customer behavior, market trends and campaign performance. When you have deep data analysis knowledge, you can stay informed and identify the current trends in the market. This is very important for you to be ahead of your competitors and achieve success. – Andrew Munro, AffiliateWP
2. Setting Strategic Agendas
Marketing teams have been and continue to be a cross-collaboration engine for many organizations, supporting and closing the gap between multiple lines of businesses or functions. The most successful marketing leaders are ones who can create a shared vision and have mutual accountability across the executive leadership team. Bringing focus to the brand can guide a strong shared and strategic vision, navigate emerging consumer needs and look to map and own the customer experience across the entire organization. This will enable the marketing team to grow in organizational importance as they partner across key business units. – Ryan Stoner
3. Communication
Always ask yourself: Is this message clear? Do people care? Am I reaching the right people at the right time with the right message and offer? Success in marketing revolves around constantly improving and adjusting your communications tactics while staying true to your core brand values and overall communication strategy. – Andy Karuza, NachoNacho
4. Adaptability
In today’s rapidly changing marketing landscape, staying adaptable is crucial to keep up with evolving trends, technologies and consumer behavior. Adaptable leaders can quickly adjust strategies, embrace new platforms and respond to market shifts, ensuring their marketing efforts remain relevant and effective. This skill enables marketing leaders to stay ahead of the competition, maintain a competitive edge and drive success in an ever-changing business environment. – Kristin Kimberly Marquet, Marquet Media, LLC
5. Empathy
I believe that even the best marketing leaders should continually hone their ability to empathize with and understand the ever-changing needs and desires of their customers. The world evolves, and so do consumers’ preferences. Cultivating deep empathy allows leaders to stay attuned to these shifts, creating more resonant and effective campaigns. At Velvet Caviar, we make this a priority, ensuring our marketing aligns with our audience’s values and needs. This practice keeps us relevant, connected and innovative in our approach, and it’s a skill that never stops adding value. – Michelle Aran, Velvet Caviar
6. Technical Competence
In the rapidly evolving landscape of marketing, gaining technical competence and staying ahead is essential. With the explosive growth of artificial intelligence, the dynamics of marketing have been fundamentally transformed. AI now plays a pivotal role in crafting personalized customer experiences, automating tasks and providing actionable insights. However, leveraging these benefits requires continuous skill development. Marketing leaders must understand AI tools and their applications, stay updated on AI trends and hone data interpretation skills. In short, gaining technical competence in AI is key to staying ahead and driving success in modern marketing. – Duran Inci, Optimum7
7. Conversion Rate Optimization
Since the ultimate goal of any business is driving profits and surviving, the most important skill a leader should have is conversion rate optimization. This refers to the skill of making the right changes to a website, landing page, social media campaign or other spaces to get customers to take action. This action could be to sign up for a newsletter, buy a product, engage on social media or something else. Conversion rate optimization requires a specific mindset and knowledge of marketing psychology. It’s all about making small changes, testing and identifying ways to drive conversions higher. I believe that this is a critical skill that a leader should not stop building and learning about through various sources. – Syed Balkhi, WPBeginner
8. Time Management
Marketers are often pulled in different directions, so the best skill set to continue to work on is time management. It’s key to be able to delegate, understand when to say no, know how to estimate time and schedule deadlines. Those who are most efficient with these can accomplish more tasks and set up better expectations. – Peter Boyd, PaperStreet Web Design
9. Storytelling
Storytelling is a skill that even the best marketing leaders should continuously refine. Why? Because it’s the magical ingredient that sparks a genuine connection with audiences. Think about it: We’ve all been wired to respond to stories since our caveman days. As a marketing leader, you want your audience to identify with your brand’s purpose, values and vision. Moreover, in today’s crowded digital landscape, attention spans are shorter than ever. Attend workshops, read books, analyze successful campaigns and experiment with different narrative techniques. The more you practice, the more you’ll unleash the magic of storytelling in your marketing efforts, forging a powerful connection with your audience that leaves a lasting impression. – Abhijeet Kaldate, Astra WordPress Theme