Most of us view project managers as exceptional communicators with just the right people skills who can articulate at all levels. They are methodical and can mold themselves into any situation to optimize accomplishments.
Well, as marketers, we are quite similar to project managers ourselves. If we are really looking to market our brands successfully online then we ought to think like a project manager.
Let’s check out some of the traits that marketers need to adapt from project managers and a few resources to help you set the ball rolling:-
Highly Methodized
Effective project managers have to be highly methodized as they handle various projects involving different stakeholders and objectives on a daily basis. They have to constantly meet deadlines, encourage team participation and make the optimum use of resources by keeping abreast of the latest tools and techniques to make sure they deliver the best always.
Marketers too, are involved with a variety of campaigns, mediums and metrics every day. Whether it’s SEO, content marketing, PPC or social media, marketing managers have to accomplish an array of goals to get hold of more leads which boost better conversion.
Being highly methodized and using the right tools can better the performance of the marketers raising their efficiency levels.
Smart Data Analysts
Project Managers collect and analyze tons of data and are always at home with spreadsheets, gantt charts, trend analysis and numerous other data interpretation techniques. The analytical skills help in taking sound decisions with the help of data and further aids in project management.
Marketers also deal with a lot of data like analytics reports, social media engagement reports, email subscription numbers, conversion percentages, a/b tests etc. – the list seems to be quite long when it comes to the amount of data marketers need to collect and analyze.
Flexible and Resilient
There are always changes in projects. Project managers have to face hurdles like missed deadlines, altered specifications, inadequate manpower but must be resilient enough to tackle any obstacle. Knowing how to deliver tasks on time is one of the best skills a project manager must possess.
Flexibility and adaptability to change are traits marketers also need to cultivate as nothing seems to be constant with frequent algorithm changes, erratic consumer behavior, marketing trends and social media keeping marketers on their toes for anything. Content marketers specifically need to think in line of publishers and stay up-to-date of trends in order to be able to write relevant content and meet deadlines.
Innate Interpersonal Skills
Project managers must go beyond technical skills and nurture their interpersonal skills to manage employees, contractors/freelancers, clients and more. This could involve presenting information and communicating messages ranging from a technical team to a business team. They must also be able to communicate objectives, progress reports, delays, alterations and results.
Marketers too need to communicate with different departments and liaison between consumers and the organization. They must also work on people skills as they have to coordinate with design teams, tech and sales teams to achieve their campaign objectives.