How can writing professionals transition to marketing roles?

When I started in Marketing, I wish I had learned early on about how to root everything I did in strategy and how those activities laddered up to company KPIs. I'd suggested working with other disciplines throughout Marketing from PR to paid media and beyond, as all of Marketing works together to drive your campaigns to generate results. When you're all working in lockstep toward a strategy, like converting X% of leads to closed-won, you'll be more targeted in what you do and how you use content to activate different parts of the funnel.

Start by not thinking about it as a "transition." Good writers and marketers share the same skill--storytelling talent. All of the strategy and creativity that makes you a successful writer will fuel your success as a marketer. Sell yourself on that. And just like storytelling, marketing has a science piece. THAT's what you need to set aside time to learn and add to your skill arsenal. For example, as a writer you already know about engaging an audience. As a marketer you need to understand how to categorize and segment that audience for more targeted impact. Explore the different writing roles in marketing (content? copy? ghost? strategy?) to see what resonates most with you and is the best use of/ opportunity for your writing skills.

En muchas oportunidades, resulta un paso 'natural' la transición de la redacción al mundo del marketing. Efectivamente, considero que, en el camino, conviene detenerse en alguna formación. No en vano, estos/as profesionales ya cuentan con potentes herramientas para afrontar con garantías el cambio. A saber: solvencia y soltura en la escritura, capacidad de persuasión, conocimiento en Nuevas Narrativas y canales, trato con clientes, familiarización con KPIs, contactos y sapiencia sobre el trabajo y demanda en gabinetes de Comunicación de ese sector. La formación continuada en ámbitos líquidos es un reto necesario. En este caso, el 'trasvase' está más allanado de lo que parece.

1) Escritura precisa, 2) frases cortas, 3) conocimiento del producto y la audiencia a la que está dirigido, 4) saber jugar con las frases-gancho de la redacción comercial, sin ser repetitivo, 5) tu mensaje debe llegar directo y persuadir velozmente, 6) usa imágenes y videos, 7) muévete dentro de los lineamientos, 8) verifica los datos.

To transition to marketing roles, writing professionals can use two of their more coveted gifts: the ability to perform deep research and creativity. The process of promoting and selling products and services is based on research, and from there, the writing professionals can use their innate creativity to set in the clients’ minds the urge to have or use that product or service. Writing professionals can easily do that as if they were creating a story around a product or service where the client is the main character. Everything in this story must focus on how the client benefits from that product or service.

It is important to learn the fundamentals of marketing. Apart from the various sources this article suggests, one other source which can help you learn better is through your own writing assignments. If you are hired as a writer by some company, you can ask and actively seek to understand what happens after you have completed your work. Trying to understand how they market your content and actively keeping track of it is a fun way to learn about marketing.

1. Take marketing and public relations courses 2. Do a need analysis on your products and services 3. Be willing to learn from persons within your team and community who understand the psychology of the target audience

I agree but I see that learning about the consumer behavior first is the most important part that makes all the above points effective, no way in creating a journey without a deep understanding about the behavior and interest.

For beginners, the most basic aspects of using your writing for marketing are to identify what problem the product or service solves. The who, what, why, how of it all. Who is this for? What is it? Why should they invest in this particular one, and how will it benefit their life to have it? Although these seem so very basic, they can be overlooked if people focus on trends and keywords over foundational sales techniques.

This was me 6 years ago. I took some online courses, thanks to HubSpot Academy, they have some very nice courses. Make friends with people who are already playing in the marketing space and ask for their insights. Learn from every available resource.

If you need to focus on a starting point, project management is high value, in my experience. It was the gateway for me to step into marketing. Everything you do in marketing will require some level of project management, and it is a sought after skill set for many companies. There are numerous courses you can take for free to get the fundamentals, then you can use free versions of project management tools to get a good feel for what project management looks like through the lens of those tools.

Because you already have some transferable skills as a writer, taking that leap to transition to marketing is somewhat easy. However, you need to also build a number of skills around data, design, strategy, analysis and project management. You can start by investing in paid or free courses and also consider internship opportunities which provide you the on the job experience you need to excel in the marketing industry.

Developing a robust set of marketing skills broadens your horizons as a content creator. Beyond writing prowess, mastering research, analysis, and communication amplifies your ability to resonate with audiences effectively. Equipping yourself with project management skills and tools like Google Analytics, Mailchimp, or Canva elevates your content strategy and execution. Practicing these skills through personal marketing projects or freelancing offers invaluable hands-on experience. Embrace opportunities to volunteer or freelance to immerse yourself in real-world scenarios, gaining feedback and refining your skill set. The fusion of these skills not only enriches your content but also positions you as a versatile and impactful marketer.

There are many free resources available online that can help you learn the fundamentals of marketing. Consider joining a group or organization that aligns with your specific interests and attending webinars or consuming some content that is similar to the field you want to get into. This can help you gain insights and knowledge on the latest trends, tools, and strategies in marketing.

Don't panic with the too many suggestions. Just explore, you don't need to master them all at once :) Practice also makes perfect, my media specialists facebook group "Journalistic Dialogues" running since 2007 paved the way for my account management career initiated seven years later!

Build your portfolio by volunteering. Many small nonprofits would love to have a volunteer marketing writer. In this way you build your portfolio and a struggling nonprofit gets some needed help.

When I started out 25 years ago, building a portfolio of published clips was key to getting more work. Still is! Luckily, it's much easier to get published in the digital age than it was back then. Protip: Try not to write for free unless you have to, or it's for a worthy cause. Unpaid internships are often exploitative!

I used to categorize my work into drive folders but this used to confuse the clients; considering the diversity between my journalistic and copywriting / scriptwriting work and the types of copies I offered from print to digital; added to other marketing services. I resolved to a single - but long - pdf file that has a brief on my academic background and my technical experience then a table of contents featuring every service I offer. In every section, an introductory page briefly explains what this service is about added to a service icon, then there are samples on these services. This portfolio makes it so easy for clients to browse! If you want to see it as a reference, just write to me sharing your email :)

Displaying a well-curated portfolio serves as a dynamic testament to your capabilities as both a writer and marketer. It's your chance to exhibit a spectrum of work, spotlighting achievements and tangible outcomes. Compiling diverse samples showcasing writing prowess, strategic campaigns, and measurable results echoes your proficiency. Integrate testimonials or case studies that underscore your contributions to client success stories. A sleek, organized portfolio, be it on platforms like LinkedIn or your personalized website, offers a window into your professional journey. Crafting this showcase isn't just about flaunting skills; it's about resonating with potential clients, solidifying trust, and reinforcing your standing in the industry.

Create a Canva portfolio to showcase your writing and marketing skills. It's a helpful and impressive tool that will make your portfolio stand out from others. Include samples of your work, testimonials, and case studies to demonstrate your value and potential as a marketer.

When I career-shifted from Journalism to Copywriting in 2012, my first step was to actually go to a big real estate show and offer my services: yes, just like that. My first one-to-one client was one of the biggest real estate brands at the time which thank God positioned me well in the market afterward. But it doesn't have to happen like that. Specify your target market then get ready with a cool business card, and a portfolio to send after the event through a follow-up email, dress well, eat healthy food, enjoy your coffee, and go network with a confident smile! Digital personal branding is also very important. You gain authority when you share information and updates of your industry, communicating with key figures of the target market.

Network é essencial para qualquer transi??o de carreira. Construa rela??es genuínas, baseadas na troca e n?o no utilitarismo. Fa?a uma rede e alimente essa rede. O LinkedIn é o melhor lugar pra isso. Comece seu planejamento da transi??o listando 10 pessoas que você pode acionar para abrir oportunidades ou outras redes de contato.

Writers understand storytelling better than anyone. Be bold and brave. Contact people and let them know that you want to move into marketing. Share content on social media regularly. Build your personal brand and have courage to pitch your skillset so that marketing teams know what a win it will be to have you on board.

In my experience, being able to sell yourself is the ultimate test as to whether or not you can market anything else. I would advise to write and develop what makes you unique and special and look for traits that stand out. From there its all about adjectives and phrasing. Knowing your product inside and out and having a genuine love for it makes marketing it all the easier!

You can do this by; 1. Joining marketing-related groups on LinkedIn or other social media platforms. Contribute positively to trending topics and be active on the platforms. 2. Attending industry conferences, webinars, and networking events to connect with marketing professionals and learn from their experiences.

Don't wait for permission to make the transition. Write publicly and frequently, making sure to apply what you are learning about marketing to market yourself. Consistency is king: keep creating in public, and you'll find that, often, clients will want you to do the same for them.

1. No classroom can teach you what you can learn on the job. It took me two to three years to just understand the different terminologies, phrases, and "buzzwords" in a way that can be applied across different formats. 2. Your audience keeps changing. Your content asset is built based on your audience and their journey. They could be your customers, market/industry leaders, event participants. One size therefore will not fit all, and definitely not at the same time. 3. You have to be fast on the uptake. Marketing is an unpredictable realm and while your editorial skills come in handy, you need to be a quick, versatile writer. This only comes with practice.

Marketing and writing have one common factor. Capturing attention. Whether you are doing content writing, copywriting, or creative writing, the first thing you must do is get your audience's attention. That's what that first line is about. Now, marketing works on the same principle. Whether you are spreading awareness, pushing your content, or looking for leads. You need eyes. This common factor efficiently unites the two professions. Sell that as a writer. And you are in.

Making the gamer care about the game they are playing is one of the ways the video game business excels at marketing. They achieve this by adding intrigue and relatability to the character they are portraying. They market a fiction and an experience that, if not properly portrayed, causes a significant gulf between the player and the product. "How can I make my product empathy with my audience or how can I sell an experience?" is a question you should ask yourself. This is particularly effective if the experience is truthful and fulfills its promises.

Your work is your ID card. If you are Junior, no problem, go to Search. Type industry which is the most familiar to your interests. For examle: Tourism. If you live in small country that can be problem in this field (if it is not famouse destination like all Italy), but if you know English on high level: The World is Yours. My mother language is Serbian. I can write and create only in Serbian, my English is on some Mid level, like you see. Because of that I have limit access to chances all around freelance field. So, message is: Learn every single day more and more. Be brave. I am writing this without any translate or dictionary, with mistakes. That is the way to learn language. Practise every day all the way.