If someone is looking to begin their career as a CSM what are some must have online resources that you would recommend? thanks.

 I may be biased but Gainsight offers some of the top resources on Customer Success. We release at least 2-3 blogs a week and we are constantly releasing new content as fast as we are learning from our community.

1. https://www.gainsight.com/blog/ for Blogs

2. https://www.gainsight.com/events/ for webinars

3. Gainsight also offers Pulse+ certification which combines premium eLearning and industry-grade certifications with exclusive content and behind-the-scenes stories of brands and thought leaders. It is a paid resource but if you have been laid off or lost a job recently, you can make a request here to provide this certification material free of charge: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSc9o4QIPfVMj42d_mBMwz7EEM3jmK0S7wxALqsAu8ZbYTNWog/viewform

Other than Gainsight, being a part of the following online forums such as Modern CS helps.

You're going to want a well-rounded set of knowledge and tools to set you up for success in Success. These include the practice of Customer Success, business metrics, core components of Customer Success, and supplementary industry knowledge. Below are some of my favorites that I've treasured over the years: 

Community Seekers - Success Coaching

If you want to network and learn alongside others, Success Coaching is an excellent place to start in your CS career or level up as you grow.

https://successcoaching.co/

For the DIY’er - The Gainsight Blogs & CSM Certifications

This content speaks all the love languages of Customer Success professionals and every post is relevant and insightful.

https://www.gainsight.com/blog/

A MUST-have for all CSMs - Value-first Onboarding, the Product Adoption Academy 

Onboarding is crucial for the success of all customers and there is a refined art to crafting & measuring this experience for CSMs. Don’t skimp on this topic!

https://academy.appcues.com/courses/value-first-onboarding

CS & Business Metrics - Crash Course in Customer Success and SaaS Metrics

Hands down, the main questions I hear from new CSMs are around business metrics. Dave Kellog is the LeBron James of SaaS metrics and will explain everything you need to know. Excellent video, grab a notebook!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U8hKPfH1q88

Separate yourself from the pack - Jeanne Bliss

Understanding business metrics and a product will get you far but what separates you from others is heart and no one on earth does this better than Jeanne Bliss. She has worked with the best customer-first companies and never lets you forget why we’re here…humanity in business. 

https://www.customerbliss.com/

Staying on top of industry changes - Dave Kellog & Tomasz Tunguz 

Being aware of what’s happening in Tech will be a massive advantage for you. There are so many great blogs and resources to help you stay on top of what’s happening in the tech world so find what speaks to you! What speaks to me are the Dave Kellog & Tomasz Tunguz blogs...I swear, they're fortunetellers. 

Dave Kellog - https://kellblog.com/

Tomasz Tunguz - https://tomtunguz.com/

Here are some of my favourite links.

Web Sites

• Customer Success Box – Top 50 resources for customer success
• Customer Success Network
• Customer Success Association
• Gain Grow Retain
• Gainsight - The Ultimate List of Customer Success Resources for 2023
• Remark-able
• Hubspot Customer Success Resources

Training & Certification

• Success Coaching
• Practical CSM (Available in LinkedIn Learning)

Mentoring & Coaching

• https://catalyst.io/community/coaching-corner
• https://customersuccess.network/mentoring

I answered a similar question for new grads looking to get into a CSM role, the same advice applies.

1. Learn about the role. I have included some links below that can help with this.

2. Network (don't be afraid, I've found the majority of people are more than willing to offer guidance and advice)

3. Ask for a mentor

4. Look for internships

https://www.csinfocus.com/community

https://www.customersuccess.community/feed

https://gaingrowretain.com/

https://hub.practicalcsm.com/

https://catalyst.io/community/community-home

https://community.gainsight.com/

https://userpilot.com/blog/customer-success-courses/