There are several of my fellow colleagues either in marketing or digital strategy that either have a college degree in something random, like History, or have completed an entirely different career (like being a lawyer) before coming to digital marketing.
On the other spectrum, I have several friends that aren’t in marketing that have been getting their MBAs or are working towards a graduate degree in their field, something that’s common for their industry. While it’s always been a dream of mine to get an MFA so I could teach college freshmen what good writing looks like, I’ve realized that there is one thing in the marketing industry that stands out a lot more than an advanced degree: writing a book.
There are several reasons for this, but nothing quite brings the impressed looks and interest that come from telling someone else that you’ve written a book. While I’ve written 1.5 possibly good novels (that I’ve only allowed a few people to read), I did finish an e-book on Snapchat marketing that has helped me it didn’t to the door for a few opportunities even in the four sort short months since I’ve published it.
Writing a book can help propel your marketing career, no matter what your specialization may be. Here are some of the reasons why I believe that books may be the new marketer’s master’s degree.
Our Industry is Always Changing
One of the reasons that makes online marketing so exciting is that it’s always changing. The best practices that we’ve learned when it comes to SEO or social media have been shaped by the industry itself, and it’s exciting to be part of the development of strategies and ideals that make professionals in our industry successful.
Because the industry isn’t always black and white, we rely on experts that have been there to show us what works for them and how could possibly translate into our own business or industry.
We Love Innovation
Part of change is innovation, which feeds into the startup culture that permeates the ideals of the majority of us working in a technology-based space. Because we find experts or people with experience motivating, it’s easy to rely on books written by innovators in our industry as a way to make ourselves and our work better.
Innovative thinking is what continues to push our industry forward.
We Want to See What You’re Doing
This also feeds into wanting to see what our competitors and other experts in the same industry as us are doing. By writing a book, you are not only showcasing your expertise and what you’ve accomplished, but you’re also teaching others how they can be successful as well. For many, it this is more important than getting a piece of paper that certifies that they have an additional degree.
While advanced degrees will always have an important place in any professional industry, digital marketing and technology will always be known as one of the most forward thinking places to grow a career. By writing a book (from a self-published e-book to the traditional publisher route), marketers can establish themselves as experts in their industry, with an accolade that shows that they aren’t afraid to share what they know. And when it comes to this era of innovation, freethinking can go a long way.
photo credit: Thomas Hawk via photopin cc
Kelsey Jones
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