Evolve or Die: In This Ai World, Marketers Need to Become a Trapezoid Marketer

There is a massive upskilling challenge for marketers needed at the moment.

We’ve been trying to hire folks across the board and there are maybe 1/200 people that have figured out how to use Chat-GPT, Canva and other AI powered tools to create content and show they can 10x their output.

The rest are sharing their resumes and showcasing their skills of what they did earlier.

That doesn’t cut it anymore.?

The expectation in 2-3 years will be you need to be able to use AI to create faster and higher quality output.?

The next set of marketers are F**cked if we don’t do something about it.

Here are skills that were needed in marketing in 2010’s vs 2024:

Point being with AI, as a marketer you need to have the skills to create content, manage social, do performance, make creatives, edit videos, run communities.

And the time is now.?

Why? Because the future of marketing is going to look like this:

Creativity + Distribution as the Key Differentiator:

Brand and tech haave been differentiators in the past. The future will be the distribution that you’ve and how creative you can be with campaigns. As a marketer & a company, can you bring that to the table.?

Smaller Marketing Companies, Massive Output:

Instagram was valued at a $1B dollars with 10 people, Perplexity is valued at $1B with 55 people, Whtatsapp with 35 people. Point being tech companies are getting smaller and productivity is only going up. Being lean is something that helps teams be more agile & capable of massive output.?

Tech Startups? [2015-2024]?

AI Startups [2015-2024]

AI is creating massive productivity, massive valuations and it’s going to trickle into skills.

Hyper-Personalization:

AI, is transforming how marketers interact with their audiences. AI tools such as Persado and Dynamic Yieldare helping marketers deliver highly personalized content and experiences tailored to individual preferences and behaviors.?

Language Will Be No Barrier:

AI will break down language barriers in marketing, enabling brands to reach a global audience more effectively. AI-powered translation tools in audio and video will make it possible to create multilingual content quickly and accurately.? Tools like VisualDubAI, Dubdub AI are already making it possible.

Content Will Be Available in All Formats:

Customers will have the option to consume content in videos, speech-to-text, audio formats, and images, ensuring a versatile and accessible experience. Video content will continue to dominate, offering dynamic visual storytelling, while speech-to-text technology (Eleven Labs) will make written content accessible to those who prefer listening over reading.? So marketers need to get good at using tools like Canva (Images), Eleven Labs (Speech to text), Gamma Appa(Beautiful Decks), Dubdub.AI (Converting to multiple languages)

Rapid Turnaround Times:

We gotta be able to write blogs in ~3 hours, make new landing pages in a day, videos and decks in < less than a day. Create 30 content pieces a month. We need to be able to experiment faster, respond to competitors quickly and retain customers.?

Humanized Content at the Forefront

As technology advances, the importance of creating humanized content that resonates on an emotional level will remain paramount. So AI will be taking care of all the editing while you focus on being in front of the camera and truly connecting with the audience.?

Automations with AI Agents:

Agents like Skott (Autonomous AI Agents by Lyzr) will not only take care of automating blog creation + social media marketing but we will have agents for everything. Agents will be clones of smart humans that can perform tasks without any human intervention. We will have an Email marketing agent, a Product marketing agent, and an SEO agent. It is scary but this also means marketers will have to get better at handling these agents. This will massively reduce manual overloads & we’ll have Moore Law efficiency levels. ? ?

All Outreach Automated:

The future of marketing is moving towards fully automated outreach strategies. Tools that automate email campaigns, social media posts, and ad placements are becoming indispensable for marketers. These tools enable consistent and timely communication with the audience, freeing up marketers to focus on strategy and creativity.?

Bots Doing the Research + Work:

Bots are increasingly being used for market research, competitor analysis, and content creation. Tools like MarketMuse and Crayon help marketers gather insights, analyze trends, and generate content efficiently. By delegating these tasks to bots, marketers can focus on strategic decision-making and creative development.??

Universities Adapting to Teach AI for Output:

As AI becomes integral to marketing, educational institutions must adapt to prepare future marketers for this new landscape. Universities are starting to offer courses on AI tools, prompt engineering, and automation to equip students with the necessary skills. A case study of universities that have successfully integrated AI into their marketing programs highlights the positive impact of these initiatives. By updating curricula to include AI skills, educational institutions are ensuring that graduates are well-prepared to thrive in the AI-driven marketing world.

So What Are The Essential Skills for Marketers to Thrive

Become a Trapezoid Marketer:

In the evolving landscape of marketing, it is crucial for professionals to adapt to new roles and skill sets. Three key marketer types have emerged: T-shaped, V-shaped, and trapezoid marketers. Each type represents a different approach to skills and expertise.

You’ll Need Deep Technical Knowledge For Product Marketing:?

Product marketing in the AI era demands a deep technical understanding of the products being marketed. Marketers will need to be well-versed in the intricacies of AI infrastructure, AI agents, and large language models (LLMs). For example, writing content for AI infrastructure requires knowledge of how AI systems are built and deployed, the capabilities of AI agents, and the nuances of LLMs. This depth of knowledge ensures that the marketing content is accurate, relevant, and compelling to a technically sophisticated audience.

You Should Be Able To Convert Content into Different Languages

?

The ability to create multilingual content is increasingly important in global marketing. Marketers must be adept at using AI translation tools like DeepL to convert content into different languages accurately. This skill involves not only translating text but also ensuring that the translated content retains its original meaning and resonates with local audiences. For example, a marketer using DeepL can produce high-quality translations that facilitate communication with international customers, expanding the brand's reach and influence.

You’ll Fundamentally Have To Be Good at Prompting AI Tools

Prompting AI tools effectively is a critical skill for modern marketers. The ability to craft precise and effective prompts ensures that AI-generated content meets the desired standards. For instance, prompt engineering involves creating specific queries that guide AI tools like Skott (Autonomous Agents), GPT-4 to produce relevant and high-quality content. This skill is essential for leveraging AI in content generation, as well-crafted prompts can significantly enhance the output's quality and relevance.

Example of a good prompt:

“I want to write an article on The Future of Marketing & Skills Needed by Marketers to Thrive. The article should feel like its written by a professor with citations, graphs and tabulations. Can you give me an outline which consists of the following content as well as what you think should be part of it.?

Add as much as you can. Graphs or images on skills that were needed in 2000's and now in 2024. Future of marketing is: 1) Creativity + Distribution is going to be the differentiator. 2) Smaller marketing companies, massive output. 3) Hyper-personalization 4) Language no barrier. 5) Rapid turn around times. 6) Humanized content at the forefront.?

Skills needed: 1) T-Shaped marketer, V-Shaped Marketer,Trapezoid Marketer. 2) Product marketing: Can you write content that is deep tech. If you're writing content for AI infra, you should know about aI agents, AI infra, LLMs, 3) Can you convert content into different languages using AI atools 4) Can you be fundamentally good at prompting? 5) Can you be self-Sufficient: Make thumbnails (Canva), make presentations (Gamma), make videos (Typeframes), make landing pages (Framer) 6) Analytical Tools: Make graphs, analyze, have conversations. 7) The expectation is you better be able to do a lot more.”?

Marketers Will Need To Be Versatile and Self-Reliant

In today's fast-paced marketing environment, self-sufficiency is crucial. Marketers need to be capable of creating comprehensive marketing materials independently, using tools like Canva for thumbnails, Gamma for presentations, Type Frames for videos, and Framer for landing pages. This versatility allows marketers to quickly produce high-quality content without relying heavily on external resources. For example, a self-sufficient marketer can design visually appealing presentations and create engaging videos, enhancing their ability to execute marketing campaigns efficiently.

You Should Be Able To Create Graphs, Analyze Data, and Derive Insights

Proficiency in analytical tools is vital for modern marketers. The ability to create graphs, analyze data, and derive actionable insights is essential for informed decision-making. A marketer should be able to use Chat-GPT integrations within Google Sheets, Data GPT and AI driven analytical tools to create insights and plug them directly into decks.?

The Expectation for Marketers to Handle Multiple Roles and Tasks Efficiently

Today's marketers are expected to handle a wide range of roles and tasks efficiently. This includes everything from content creation and data analysis to campaign management and customer engagement. The ability to juggle multiple responsibilities is increasingly important as marketing teams become leaner and more agile. For example, a marketer who can manage various aspects of a campaign—from strategy development to execution—demonstrates high adaptability and value to the organization.

Be Able To Produce and Distribute Podcasts

Podcasting has emerged as a powerful marketing tool, and the ability to produce and distribute podcasts is a valuable skill. Marketers need to be proficient in using tools like Riverside for creating, Audacity for editing and Anchor for distribution. This involves creating engaging audio content, editing recordings for clarity, and publishing episodes across various platforms.?

The Ability to Automate Social Media Postings and Engagements

Automating social media postings and engagements is crucial for maintaining a consistent online presence and maximizing reach. Tools like Hootsuite and Buffer enable marketers to schedule posts, track performance, and engage with audiences automatically. By leveraging social media + content automation tools like Skott, marketers can streamline their workflows, save time, and ensure timely interactions with their audience.??

Create New Products and Tools for Lead Generation

This one is huge. Developing innovative products and tools for lead generation is a key skill for marketers. This includes creating chatbots, interactive tools, and other digital products that capture leads effectively. For example, a marketer who develops a chatbot that engages website visitors, answers their questions, and collects contact information can significantly boost lead generation efforts. A case study of innovative lead generation products highlights their impact on capturing high-quality leads and driving business growth.

In conclusion, the future of marketing will be a lot about being creative and building distribution & marketers need to be AI first about everything.?