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How To Become An Email-Marketing Rock Star

So you want to be an email-marketing rock star. Does having email groupies when you travel around the world and speak at events get your motor running?

If you are a brand-side email marketer, building your personal brand as a thought leader can be one of the best ways to enhance your career and your industry stature. Don't schedule that world tour just yet, though.

You have to be good -- make that great --  at what you do. You must be able to back up your industry reputation with solid results. You also need a few other qualities.

What a Rock Star Needs

  • Desire. You need it if you're going to achieve your goals.
  • Commitment. If you aren't prepared to add more hours and potentially some travel to your already long work week, fuhgeddaboutit.
  • Point of view. Stand for something and be known for it.
  • Focus. Concentrate on your expertise: responsive design, B2B automation, testing, retail, deliverability, etc.  
  • Support. It's hard to become a thought leader if your boss doesn't support your efforts by allowing you to speak at events, talk to the media, and do case studies.

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Channels to Build Your Rock Stardom

Following are several channels or activities you can use to build your personal brand. Unless you're superhuman, you probably can't tackle every single one. Instead, focus on a few that you enjoy, are good at, and can expect your boss to support:

  • Speaking: Presenting at industry and vendor events is one of the best ways to build your brand and tell your story. Get started by being part of a panel or co-presenting with an experienced speaker from your agency or email vendor.
  • Writing: Writing articles and blog posts is the way to go if being on stage doesn't float your boat yet. Write for one of your vendors' blogs, contribute to an industry publication, or even start your own blog. 
  • Case studies: Vendors and publications are always looking for case studies, so get buy-in from your boss and PR team to tell your company's story. An approved case study can become the basis of your story platform.
  • Media interviews: Let your agency or vendors know that you are available to speak with the media. If you aren't an experienced interviewee, get tips from your PR team, and practice. Outline your key points and messages, and stick to them.
  • Association involvement: Join a marketing association, and get involved with a committee. Not only will you work with other industry movers and shakers, but you might also get to own or contribute significantly to high-visibility initiatives.
  • Vendor advisory boards: Many of your vendors have advisory boards or user/product committees and groups. Ask to join one or two and then be active. This exposure can bring speaking or writing invitations.
  • Industry/vendor communities: The email-marketing industry has several active communities where you can rub shoulders online with the best and brightest. Learn from influencers, and share your experiences, POV and expertise.
  • Awards: Winning an award can raise your visibility and boost your confidence. Your chances might be better than you think. You might compete with 10 or 20 others, not thousands. One place to start: your email vendor's awards program.
  • Networking: Reputation, trust and relationships build your personal brand. These friendships can open doors, whether for speaking opportunities or association committees. So, attend or offer to help organize local meet-ups or networking events.
  • Social media: If you create value, engage with others and focus on select areas and networks -- a Pinterest board, LinkedIn group or Twitter -- you can build a solid following.  

What is your path to email-marketing rock stardom? 

Until next time, take it up a notch.

1 comment about "How To Become An Email-Marketing Rock Star".
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  1. Loren McDonald from IBM Marketing Cloud, August 6, 2015 at 7:49 p.m.

    Paula, this isn't nor should it be a goal for everyone in any indsutry. My first 2 points were Desire and Commitment - you really have to want it and to be prepared to put in those extra hours. And I laos mentioned Support from your boss - which means supporting you in that extra time you need to some of these things. What I left out was support from your family. If you don't do the aboe actitivies, it doesn't mean you've limited your career advancment opportunities or that you aren't a rock star - your awesomeness just won't be as widely known. That's just fine. But a lot of people (in all industries) want to be known and recognized in their industry. If that is important to you, then it can bake a lot of work. Nietgher approach is right or wrong ... I just meet a lot of people who think flying around the world speaking at events is pretty cool. But want they don't always know is the years of work that went into getting to that point; the wear and tear on your body, family - the longer hours, etc ... 

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