Great advice!

If there’s one thing I’ve learned from the last few years in this bullpen, it’s that all those who, “make it big”… those who truly succeed in life create their own victory conditions.

Can’t wait to see the world you create for yourself!
ShellyB

I don’t think there is a single list of in-demand skills. In fact, if I had spoken with your list of contacts, I would have told each one of them a different tip on how to market based on their audience, their skill set, their resources (time and money) and their message.

In the old days, some businesses advertised in the yellow pages. Others used the newspaper. Still others used TV or put flyers on the cars in the grocery store.

But we didn’t used to think that all businesses had to use and be good at all of them.

Why do we think that all businesses have to blog, FB, Google+, email, teach-to-sell, and build a marketing funnel?

But if I had to generalize about what the in-demand skills for the internet economy are, here are some trends I see:

One in-demand skill I identify is finding someone who can see all the options and then give businesses a clear, easy plan based on what they need. I have told certain businesses that they don’t have to do FB if that’s not in their best interests and you’d be surprised at the relief I see in their faces. The ability to simplify the many options is a great skill.

Of course teaching is a great skill, but some businesses need do-ers more than teachers. I would list all the “doing” parts of internet marketing as in-demand skills.

I think innovation of all forms is important in the internet economy. But having said that, I think that we are so enamored with the newest, greatest, coolest thing that we forget the value of the ordinary, tried and true idea. Knowing when to be appropriately innovative is an in-demand skill.

Communication of all types is important. The ability to understand human interactions is important. The skill of taking off-line social norms and translating them into an online setting is important (and under-appreciated). Understanding psychology and sociology is very important in an environment that craves human interaction but is separated by the parameters of the virtual world.

I’m not sure if you ask this question for the benefit of marketers or the businesses they serve. But if I had to say one thing to a person who wants to be an online marketer, it would be to pick a skill–any skill and get good at it. Teach, write, code, learn SEO–whatever. Do it over and over and over until you are good at it.

If I had to say one thing to a business that wants to use the online world for increase their business it would be that they don’t have to do it all. They don’t have to use every online technique. They don’t have to be an online expert. Being a marketer is good if you enjoy it. If not, find someone who can cut through all the hype and make a simple, effective plan. A farmer doesn’t have to be an internet marketer. He just has to find a good marketer to help him.

Julia

Wishing you all the best for the new creations!

See ya then,
Cyndi

That’s a great question because it makes you consider all of the skills that you are using, struggling to use or avoiding using.

I think one of the in demand skills needed now is creating video, and while I have undergone a wonderful course (with Glenn Arcaro and Didi Alcheva) about producing the actual films, I am now struggling with the editing.

I would also suggest that SEO is ubiquitously important.

I agree with Rachel about reading and writing skills. It is daunting enough to think about producing content, without worrying that it won’t be well enough written.

There are two areas many of us lack. The first is the technical skills to implement the internet tools that are available. I know I spend hours and hours dealing with things like how to get Google Analytics to work!

Second is the lack of reading/writing skills in much of the population. So much of learning today is done via media other than print, that I think our reading and writing skills have atrophied and we struggle with content.