Technical skills in marketing are more critical than ever before.
Traditionally, the marketing field has emphasized the power of creative thinking over the power of technical acumen.
To build a successful career as a marketer today, you’ll need to learn some technical skills.
“The future belongs to those who learn more skills and combine them in creative ways.”
Robert Greene, an American author
Yes, you’ll still need to know how to pitch ideas and be creative with your thinking, but your technical skills will be needed.
These technical skills range from data analysis to computer programming. You can learn these skills from experiences and education.
Employers are shifting their thinking and hiring. They want to hire people with specific skills and look for someone who has specific technical skills over people who have a college undergraduate degree.
Hiring for skills over a degree is a shift, and that’s why you must have the right technical skills for your career so you can stand out and advance in your profession.
What are technical skills in marketing?
Technical skills are most likely related to engineering, technology, math, science, or other STEM-related fields.
When you know a technical skill, you have the ability and knowledge to perform a specific technical task, such as operating equipment or designing a computer program.
Technical skills, also known as hard skills, are skills that can be defined and measured. These competencies allow you to complete a task that is needed for your job.
Technical skills can vary from industry to industry.
Technical skills typically are required for engineers, mathematicians, and scientists.
With the increase in the amount of data available in the world, the reliance on technology to get things done, and the transformation of businesses to digital, people need to learn new skills to do their jobs successfully.
Technical skills can help you work more efficiently, boost your confidence, and make you a more valuable candidate for a job opening. Employees with technical skills are better at thriving in challenging and complex roles.
Don’t worry, you don’t have to become a data scientist tomorrow. There are different types of technical skills that can help you in your job.
Let’s dive into the top technical skills.
Top 10 technical skills marketers should learn
Keep in mind, specific skills are more in-demand than others.
Here are the top 10 technical skills you should consider learning more about as a marketer.
- Cloud computing
- Artificial intelligence (AI)
- Mobile app and website development
- Video production
- Audio production
- User experience (UX) design
- Search engine optimization (SEO)
- Search engine marketing (SEM)
- Blockchain
- Marketing automation
Using technical skills to stand out
When you learn new technical skills or enhance ones you already have, make sure you add it to your resume and LinkedIn profile.
The key is not to oversell your technical skills and make sure you have the skills you list on your resume.
If your future employer finds you that you don’t know these skills, you’ll tarnish your reputation for future jobs and roles.
“Every skill you acquire doubles your odds of success.”
Scott Adams, an American artist and cartoonist
One of the ways to look at technical skills is by understanding the tools associated with the skills.
For example, you should know technical technologies such as:
- HubSpot, Marketo, or Eloqua for marketing automation
- Adobe Premiere, Final Cut Pro, or iMovie for video production
If you have a technical skill that an employer is looking for, make sure that skill is on the top of your list, so your resume stands out.
Bringing it all together
Technology evolves, and new platforms pop up all the time. Mastering new technical skills will be something that you’ll need to do now as a marketer. Not only must you learn new skills, but you’ll need to keep your current technical skills sharp.
“About 15% of one’s financial success is due to one’s technical knowledge, and about 85% is due to skill in human engineering.”
Dale Carnegie, an American writer and lecturer
It is a life-long process to master your technical skills, just like it is to master soft skills of communication, problem-solving, and time management.
Don’t assume that you can do your job without learning a new skill. Employers want candidates who have the technical skills in marketing that are needed for employees to do their jobs successfully.