Quality over quantity
You can have a gazillion social media followers, a huge database of contacts and know everyone in your networking scene but it means diddly squat if they have no intention of becoming a customer. It’s easy to get swept up in vanity metrics. It’s uncomfortable to face the hard reality of conversion rates.
Proper planning prevents poor performance
It sounds obvious, doesn’t it? But I know that sometimes I’m just not in the mood for planning. It’s much more exciting to skip to the creative bits of a project. One of the biggest things I’ve changed about how I work in the last few years is that spending more time on planning makes that creative bit come together.
Being nice helps more than you realise
Marketers have egos, just like any other profession and you can fall into a negative space where we genuinely believe it’s us against our competitors. But it really isn’t. We’re all just humans trying to do our best. There’s enough space for us all to coexist and maybe even collaborate. It definitely pays to be kind.
Never burn your bridges
Roles change, companies change and, on the odd occasion, people change. Unfollow if you must, block if you have to, as my mum would say “give them a wide berth” but be careful not to burn a bridge completely.
The learning never ends
It’s a cliche but every day is a school day. I swear I get a rush of serotonin when I’ve learnt something new, I get such a buzz. Whether it’s from a conversation, a book, a workshop or a training session, I just love discovering new things and this has really helped me to sharpen my skills.
I’m nosey
In the nicest possible way. I’m so interested in other people. I love a back story and to find out about how they’ve got to where they are now. I’m curious about their experiences, their interests and their pet hates. I’m a peopley-person and that helps me to explore customer personas more creatively.
Imposter syndrome is incredibly annoying
Oh, that wonderful feeling when I’m on a roll, the creativity is flying, I’m delivering my finest piece of work to date and then it arrives. The dark pit of anxiety starts rising from my belly and grasps my confidence in its grubby hands. It shows its face at the most inconvenient time. It’s irrational, it’s uncalled for and it’s unwanted but it’s mine. Showing it who’s boss is the only way to overcome it.
Multitasking sucks
It’s scientifically proven that concentrating on one thing at a time is a better way to use your brain. I’m retraining mine on this one. I’ve spent much of my career in toxic cultures where the ability to multitask is something to brag about. Nah. I don’t buy that anymore. Concentrate on one thing at a time. It helps me to focus and I get so much more done.
Self-care is essential
I learnt this the hard way. If I’m not in a good place, my work isn’t. I find it hard to listen to my body and my mind but it’s a work in progress. It’s no coincidence that when I’m kinder to myself, I’m 100% more productive. It’s a work in progress and always will be but if you’re reading this and you’re burning the candle at both ends. Check yourself.
So that’s it, my learning to date.
If you want to know more, I’m recruiting CIM learners. You can find out more about Whyy? Change’s accredited marketing apprenticeships here.
Ask me questions, drop me an email on laurastead@whyychange.com.
