Relationships, Headspace, Personas, & Other Things I Learned at the Product Marketing Festival

I recently attended the Product Marketing Alliance online Product Marketing Festival where thousands of marketing professionals of all experience levels gathered to share and learn the latest insights and best practices on product marketing. Over the course of 2 days, I attended 7 online sessions while navigating my daily Slack, Zoom, marketing needs, and email demands. Needless to say, I was mentally exhausted but ended the week with affirmations and insights I can immediately apply as a marketing professional.

In no specific order from the pages of my journal:

• Dig deep to find and establish regular communications channels within your org, not just the obvious status update meetings. There are people who need to hear what you have to say and you are probably not reaching.

• Treat internal stakeholders like personas and create messaging that matches their goals

• Host "Ask Me Anything" sessions about your department or product monthly where people can just drop in without an agenda and have an informal talk.

• 4 Non-marketing tips for a GTM plan - build relationships, help others, give credit, and learn and commit to the culture.

• Find headspace and put it on your calendar as a time to think, dream, and do something non-work-related during (gasp!) the workday. You'll be amazed at how it can recharge and inspire you.

• Create a matrix or list of projects -related tasks to now and later - your sanity will thank you - based on importance.

• Not everything you do in marketing is a priority and will make or break a campaign. Don't fool yourself.

• Align and communicate your GTM plan with company goals - and never stop talking about it.

• Block time on your calendar and own it. You are in charge of you.