In baseball, a 5 tool player is one that excels at hitting for average, hitting for power, base running, throwing, and fielding. They are the total package; the best at the game.
In today’s market, there are many people that consider themselves “experts” in the digital marketing field, but very few live up to that title. A recent article by Adam Cohen discusses what he believes it takes to be a 5 tool player in today’s digital market.
The first “tool” Adam lists is creativity and appreciation for technology. Being creative is important for anyone in the marketing industry, but having an appreciation for technology is what will set the leaders in digital marketing apart from everyone else. Knowing what tools to leverage against each other is vital in delivering the greatest impact.
The second “tool” is understanding of the community. Knowing the target community’s needs, attributes, and behaviors the digital marketer is trying to reach is the key to creating a successful campaign. It takes more than just market research to be effective. A 5 tool player must be able to apply that research to its intended community.
Third, a 5 tool player must understand conversational technology. Social media is opening doors to take marketing to a new level of consumer interaction. Those that want to stay ahead in this digital age need to have a thorough understanding of these tools and how the consumer is using them.
Fourth, understanding search engine optimization (SEO) is crucial. Without a solid understanding of SEO, a digital marketer will have a difficult time providing the consumer with the information they are want.
Fifth is understanding of the business. While this may seem obvious, as Adam points out, to be a 5 tool player, one needs to have a strong understanding of marketing. Knowing how to interact with consumers, being a good team player, staying up-to-date on industry news, and being able to multi-task are just a few of the traits needed to succeed in the digital marketing world.
