In this post, let us consider the most important product marketing skills you need to have.
Tune in to find out.
The Most Important Skills Every Product Marketing Manager Should Have
Empathy & the ability to connect with customers on different levels
No doubt, customers want a product that is as close to perfection as possible. But what sets apart a good product manager from a great one is the ability to instill empathy in the team.
They have to have an innate ability to connect with customers on different levels. As a result, they can make them feel they are valued and listened to.
Flexibility & the ability to change course when required
A true product marketing professional should be flexible in their approach. They also have to try out new things all the time.
There is always something new and if you are not willing to experiment, then you will never crack it in this field. It is a field of constant change and as a marketing manager, you need to adapt accordingly.
Strategic thinking & planning skills
Every successful marketing campaign starts with a plan. A good product marketing manager needs very good strategic thinking skills.
This will help them plan for success at every stage of the release cycle for their products. Knowing what needs doing at every stage of your program will also help you achieve better results.
You need to know where your product stands in relation to competition, what expectations do your potential users have, how will you position your product against the competition, and more.
Such questions need strategic answers which involve research and analysis of data, not just mere gut feeling which may or may not prove fruitful later on down the line.
Cross-functional communication
There is so much value in communication that it is almost impossible to put a value on it.
Communication skills are valuable in any field and even more so in marketing. You need to be able to communicate with people from different departments.
You have to be able to talk to your development team, understand their challenges, and work with them collaboratively. This will help the team deliver the product you have planned for.
In the same way, when you talk to salespeople, you need to be able to explain what your product is all about and how it will benefit them.
You need to be able to communicate clearly with your sales team, potential customers, and more. This will help everyone understand each other’s problems better and in turn, help them come up with a solution that benefits everyone involved.
Storytelling
Customers want to know what they are buying. They don’t want to hear fluff. They want to understand the story behind the product and how it is going to help them.
Sales teams want to know what they are selling. A good salesperson will not sell your product if they themselves do not understand it.
Thus, you need to be able to tell a good story that will inspire the people around you and make them believe in your ability to deliver.
These are some of the most important product marketing skills that you need to hone if you want to succeed as a product marketing professional.
Do you know of any other skills that should be added to this list? Please share your thoughts by leaving a comment below!