How to Find a 10x Marketer, Part 2: Intangibles

In part one of this series, we covered the concept of a 10x Marketer and why you need one. Now, what qualities and skills really make a 10x Marketer? It would be easy to list out the skills that you would find on a typical job description, but it’s not enough to look for someone with digital marketing experience. A 10x Marketer should posses more of the intangible things.

Here at SHIFT, we focus a lot on our seven core values; every SHIFTer strives to emulate these qualities in their day-to-day work. These values also happen to align with the traits of a 10x Marketer:

Connected: While having a large network of professional resources is important, what is equally as important is being connected in a business and community sense. Someone connected is naturally a better team member and leader. You will want someone getting involved not only with the team but within the entire organization. A 10x Marketer has their finger on the pulse of the market, the team and the company as a whole.

Positive: When the going gets tough, the tough stay positive. Even when it feels like the sky is falling, a leader sets the example for the team and larger organization. Does this mean they always have a smile on their face? Probably not. It does mean, however, that if they are giving feedback, it is constructive and aims to help the team grow. They don’t throw their hands up in the face of adversity, but rather keep pushing forward and find a solution.

Smart: This is a given, right? A 10x Marketer makes smart decisions. They are not just reacting in the moment; they’ve weighted all of the options, solicited feedback, did their homework and finally made a judgment call that is in the best interest of the team and company. A 10x Marketer can think on their feet, process information quickly and steer the ship.

Creative: You don’t need someone that has mastered Photoshop, but you do need someone that colors outside of the lines. A 10x Marketer is respectful of your processes, but is always working to improve them. If you think about more stringent management methodologies, like Lean Six Sigma, you may think that there is no room for creativity in management. In fact, it’s the exact opposite – Lean Six Sigma relies on a collaborative team effort to continually improve performance. Being creative really boils down to someone that will never stop trying to find better, faster, more innovative ways to get results.

Honorable: A 10x Marketer will do the right thing, even when the right thing is the hardest option. If you hire someone that always chooses the path of least resistance, you probably don’t have the right fit. You will undoubtedly run into sticky situations where a client or team member tries to bend the truth. A 10x Marketer doesn’t take no for an answer and finds the most honorable solution to any problem.

Dedicated: A 10X Marketer does what it takes to get the job done. Is a client not responding to emails? Pick up the phone. Is the voice mailbox full? Look them up on LinkedIn or Twitter and send them a message. A 10x Marketer needs to be tenacious to a fault.

Ballsy: You won’t get ahead in life if you aren’t at least a little ballsy, #amiright?  Does this mean a 10x Marketer must take high risks all the time? No. But they should be persistent, forward and assertive. They’re the first one to jump in the middle of a fire storm, ready to take charge of any obstacle thrown their way. Will a lot of things be outside of their comfort zone? Probably – but that is ok. That is what sets them apart; they are willing to give it their best shot.

There are a lot of overlapping concepts within these qualities. In a nutshell, find someone that won’t give up until the job is done, always gives 110% and is seen by others as someone to admire.

Katie Lioy
Manager, Marketing Technology

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