I’ve worked in marketing for a number of years now and I still think every day I learn something new. Sometimes it’s kind of obvious stuff you needed confirming by someone reputable, and other times it’s not until you stand back and look at the bigger picture, that it all makes sense. One thing’s for sure, I’m always on the look out for useful marketing advice, tips that make what I do efficient, or update theories and ways of working. Let’s face it, everything changes all the time in marketing. I search for quality advice through useful podcasts, Instagram accounts, blogs, mail shots and peers.
There is so much content and information out there about digital marketing, social media, email marketing, Google Ads, the list goes on. It can be pretty overwhelming for small businesses, marketing managers and freelancers to absorb, plan, implement and analyse. Where do you start, what should you be doing, is what you are doing right?
Best Marketing Advice
Here’s a run down of some of the best sources of marketing know-how I’ve come across so far:
Studio Cotton
I’m actually fan girling right now for Aime from Studio Cotton, she’s full of useful knowledge that she shares with her followers. Anything from email marketing, blog SEO, funnels and copy that actually engages with your audience (think features vs. benefits). She’s ruddy brilliant, follow her!
PR Dispatch
These lovelies make PR feel less scary, they’ve got some wonderful free workshops you can access on their website. From finding the right magazines for your brand, pitching products to the media, planning your PR ahead, what a short-lead and long-lead means and much more.
Social Media Today
I sign up to their mail shot and they send the latest changes across social media platforms, interesting articles and useful infographics. Everything is organised by platform, so if you’re a Pinterest guru or a TikTok-er you can filter by what’s relevant to you.
Girls in Marketing
I follow Girls in Marketing on LinkedIn, which is a fountain of information in its own right. Girls in Marketing is a membership offering support, courses, a brilliant podcast and most importantly a community of like-minded marketers.
Courier
This podcast demystifies marketing terms that can often sound a bit heavy. Whether it’s market assessment and positioning, referral marketing or user research. They cover it all, and they cover it well.
Rework
It’s not all about what you are doing in terms of marketing, but also how you are doing it. Is it ethical? Is there a better way? Does it lead to long-term developments and skill growth of your team? What burnout looks like. I really don’t think these issues are discussed enough in the marketing world (and quite frankly business world), which is why Rework makes it on my top list. There is also a Rework book I’d highly recommend too!
Marketing Beat
Keep up to date with the latest high-profile marketing campaigns on Marketing Beat. Better yet, sign up to their newsletter for the latest delivered into your inbox.
Book: Sustainable Marketing: How to Drive Profits with Purpose by Michelle Carvill, Gemma Butler and Geraint Evans
Sustainability has been a trigger word in marketing for a number of years now, but there is a fear of green washing and even green hushing. This book covers more than just marketing, it goes into detail on a strategic business level, about what you need to consider to be sustainable. From supply chain management, packaging, energy, partnerships and more.
Conclusion
I honestly believe no one else knows it all, but by getting different points of view, we build a picture of what good modern marketing should look like. I’m regularly updating my reading list, listening to new podcasts whilst walking the dog, or scrolling through the Insta world, saving everything I think that’s useful.
I’d love to hear about your marketing recommends, drop me a DM
Thanks for reading,
Ashley