Marketing training isn’t a nice to have. As you a marketer, you don’t have a career that you can’t just set and forget – it moves faster than a Love Island relationship arc. What you knew five years ago might now be gathering dust in the digital graveyard alongside Vine, QR codes (the first time round), and Facebook’s relevance.
Yes, companies offer training. Yes, you’ll pick up a lot on the job. But here’s the truth: if you’re not carving out personal learning time every single week, you’re falling behind.
Marketing Training Tackles The Pace Problem
Marketing moves fast. Algorithms shift. Platforms rise and fall. Consumer expectations evolve. Blink, and suddenly you’re the person in the meeting noting down the things you need to Google when you leave the room. And believe me when I say this is a one way ticket to imposter syndrome.
That’s why personal development isn’t a “nice to have.” It’s survival.
Company Time vs. Your Time
True growth happens outside the 9-to-5. It’s in the podcasts you listen to on your commute, the marketing books you have on your bedside table for a little light reading and the newsletters you skim while waiting for your Deliveroo.
Think of it like being a Marvel superhero. Yes, you’ll get some training at HQ, but you’re expected to sharpen your own powers on the side. Spider-Man didn’t wait for Tony Stark to teach him everything. He got out there, tested his web shooters, and learned by doing (and failing, repeatedly). It looks like he also enjoys a good book too!
Marketers need the same mindset. No one’s going to spoon-feed you information about the latest AI tools, behavioural economics, or the nuances of customer data. You’ve got to chase it yourself.
The Payoff
And here’s the kicker: the most ambitious marketers already do this. If you don’t, you’ll get left behind.
I’ve hired and worked with hundreds of marketers during my 25 year career. I can 100% confirm that those who treat their learning and development as a core part of their professional responsibility are not only better at their jobs, they’re more employable and they’re generally better colleagues to be around.
Final Thought
Because in marketing, standing still is the same as moving backwards.
Photo by Road Trip with Raj on Unsplash
Here’s Your Marketing Training Starter Kit
Because “learn every week” sounds great until you’re staring at your bookshelf wondering where to begin…
Absolute Essentials For Marketing Training – I guarantee both of these will make you a better marketer.
- The Long and the Short of It by Les Binet & Peter Field – Essential reading on balancing brand vs activation.
- AdWeek – Mark Ritson’s column. In fact, you should read, watch, listen to just about anything Mark Ritson produces because he is the man.
🎧 Podcasts
- Marketing Week’s This Much I Learned – Short, sharp interviews with marketing leaders.
- Call to Action (by CopyClub) – Witty, accessible chats about campaigns and creative careers.
- Everyone Hates Marketers – No-fluff conversations about doing marketing without the sleaze.
- Uncensored CMO – Behind-the-scenes stories from CMOs and agency leaders.
📖 Books
- How Brands Grow by Byron Sharp – The classic that challenges how you think about brand growth.
- Alchemy by Rory Sutherland – A joyfully weird take on why irrational thinking powers marketing.
- Made to Stick by Chip & Dan Heath – Brilliant lessons on why some ideas thrive and others die.
📬 Newsletters
- Marketing Week – Smart takes on current issues.
- Stratechery by Ben Thompson – Strategy meets tech, written with unusual clarity.
- The Creative Review Newsletter – A little creative inspiration in your inbox.
- The Tilt – Focused on content strategy and creators.
P.S. If today’s post helped you see marketing a little more clearly, I’ve got tools to help you go even further.
Because marketing isn’t about doing more. It’s about doing what matters, with clarity, courage and a little bit of magic