Underrated Marketing Skills

Steph Jessica Allman
4 min readJan 5, 2023
Photo by Firmbee.com on Unsplash

Marketing is a challenging job role that requires a combination of creative thinking, strategic planning, and strong communication skills. It involves developing and implementing campaigns to promote products or services to a target audience, and can take many forms, including digital marketing, content marketing, social media marketing, and traditional marketing methods.

One of the biggest challenges of marketing is the constantly evolving landscape. With the rapid pace of technological change and the proliferation of social media platforms, it can be difficult to keep up with the latest trends and techniques. Marketers must be agile and adaptable, always looking for new ways to reach and engage their audience.

Another challenge is the need to measure and track the effectiveness of marketing campaigns. Marketing budgets can be significant, and it is important to ensure that the ROI (return on investment) is positive. This requires tracking metrics such as website traffic, conversion rates, and engagement, and using this data to continuously refine and improve marketing efforts.

In addition, marketing often involves working with cross-functional teams and collaborating with other departments within an organization. This can be challenging, as it requires the ability to effectively communicate and work with people from a variety of backgrounds and disciplines.

Finally, the pressure to produce results can be intense in marketing. The success or failure of a campaign can have a significant impact on the overall performance of a company, and as such, marketers are often under pressure to deliver tangible results.

Despite these challenges, marketing can be a rewarding and exciting career for those who are up to the task. It offers the opportunity to be creative, to think strategically, and to make a real impact on the success of a business. So, it is a challenging job role but it is also very rewarding.

But we can’t forget the underrated skills

Marketing is a complicated job, that doesn’t mean we shouldn’t take a moment to highlight the underrated skills that make you great at it. Over the past five years as a Marketer, I’ve worked with some truly interesting people. It sounds like it should be a line on Love Island, they’re “you’re type on paper” but when you meet them in real life, and see their work in person — you realise they just aren’t up to scratch.

Underrated skills make a marketer, here’s a few of them you should look out for:

Marketing is a broad and diverse field, and there are many skills that are essential for success in this role. While some skills, such as social media proficiency and data analysis, are well-known and widely recognized as important, there are many others that are often overlooked or undervalued. Here are ten underrated marketing skills that can make a big impact on your career:

Copywriting

The ability to write clear, compelling, and persuasive copy is essential for marketing success. Whether you are crafting emails, blog posts, or social media posts, the words you use can make a big difference in how your message is received.

Graphic design

While not everyone in marketing needs to be a professional designer, having a strong foundation in design principles and the ability to use tools like Adobe Creative Suite can be incredibly valuable.

Project management

Marketing campaigns often involve coordinating the efforts of multiple team members, as well as working with external partners and vendors. The ability to manage projects effectively and efficiently is crucial for success.

Public speaking

Marketing often involves presenting to groups of people, whether it’s at a conference, a company meeting, or a sales pitch. Being able to speak confidently and persuasively in front of an audience can be a major asset.

Storytelling

People are more likely to remember and engage with stories rather than just facts and figures. The ability to craft a compelling narrative around your brand or product can be a powerful marketing tool.

Emotional intelligence

Marketing is all about connecting with people, and the ability to understand and relate to the emotions of your target audience is essential.

Time management

Marketing can be a fast-paced and high-pressure field, and being able to manage your time effectively is crucial for staying organized and getting things done.

Adaptability

The marketing landscape is constantly changing, and the ability to adapt and pivot quickly can be a major advantage.

Attention to detail

Small details can make a big difference in marketing, whether it’s in the design of a landing page or the wording of an email subject line. Paying attention to detail can help ensure that your marketing efforts are effective.

Strategic thinking

Marketing involves more than just executing tactics — it’s about developing and implementing a long-term plan to achieve your goals. The ability to think strategically and to see the big picture is essential.

In conclusion, while some marketing skills are more well-known and widely recognized, there are many others that are often underrated but can be just as important for success in this field. By developing and honing a diverse range of skills, you can set yourself up for success

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Steph Jessica Allman

23 | Digital Marketer in London | Freelance copywriter | Writing about marketing, social media and various other newsworthy topics. Blog: stephwritesstuff.co.uk