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Reshma Iyer

AMA: Prepared Former Head of Marketing, Reshma Iyer on Product Marketing Skills

April 3, 2025 @ 10:00AM PT

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  1. What are the most critical skills for a product marketer in an AI world?

    Reshma Iyer
    Reshma Iyer

    Grow Progress VP Marketing • 1y

    AI is great but the truth remains "garbage in, garbage out"-- what you feed the AI is very important therefore the original thinking that forms the foundation will still remain as important. Some other things of value:

    • Familiarity with AI tools and its dependability

    • Knowing when to use AI vs. making a decision not to for a specific set of outputs

    • Checking the work -- human in the loop overseeing the results becomes a necessity

    573 Views
    2 requests

  2. How is the PMM field changing with AI?

    Reshma Iyer
    Reshma Iyer

    Grow Progress VP Marketing • 1y

    I am beginning to see some shifts like presentations, videos, demo walkthroughs etc. leveraging AI to shorten laborious time spent, which is great! I think applying AI to the next few layers where data and analysis start to paint a picture/suggest a direction could become a game changer for product marketing. In teams where product marketing also delivers on content/creative copy etc., some solid solutions are already available and in use.

    1,225 Views
    2 requests

  3. What are the top three qualities of star PMMs?

    Reshma Iyer
    Reshma Iyer

    Grow Progress VP Marketing • 1y

    • Ability to work through ambiguity and even dare to force the conversation to drive towards clarity

    • Continuously connecting the dots/intangibles can be really great clues

    • Do not limit your view to the team you sit within i.e., as a product marketer, you are quarterbacking across the company. You must be able to work across departments and have a pulse into what's happening with different parts of the business.

    470 Views
    3 requests

  4. How does an MBA help you in your product marketing career? Is an MBA necessary to advance in PMM in 2025? Why or why not?

    I’m curious why so many Sr. PMM job postings use the words “MBA preferred” in their job descriptions, yet almost 30+ PMMs I’ve talked to say that an MBA is not necessary to advance in your career. For those who have an MBA, why did you pursue it, has it helped you advance (and in what way - $$, title, opportunity), and what were the trade offs of going full time (assuming you went full-time) while putting your career on hold? Thanks for your (relevant) insights.

    Reshma Iyer
    Reshma Iyer

    Grow Progress VP Marketing • 1y

    I don't believe an MBA is necessary to advance in Product Marketing especially these days, with increased awareness about the craft and impact delivered. Sometimes it can make a difference depending on a company's approach to product marketing for e.g., FAANG typically breaks down product marketing into inbound and growth and has distinct background/skillset requirements. Typically, for inbound-oriented product marketing, someone with the analytical rigor derived from an MBA program is preferred ...Read More

    4,200 Views
    2 requests

  5. Does anyone have any recommendations for third-party PMM training firms or agencies to bring in-house for PMM Skill Set training? We're looking to uplevel the core skill set of our PMM and Customer Marketing teams with external coaching or sessions and would love recommendations! Ideally, we could hire someone for a full day of training a couple of times this year.

    Reshma Iyer
    Reshma Iyer

    Grow Progress VP Marketing • 1y

    Some voices I really enjoy and you might want to explore for your needs:

    https://www.courageous-careers.com

    https://www.pmmcamp.com

    https://www.mkt1.co

    It would also be great to think about the coaching program from a cross functional perspective. So much of the work involved in product marketing is dependent on or will 100% impact other parts of the company. Intentionally curating some sessions with other teams and product marketing can help lay the foundation for common ground/understanding.

    2,091 Views
    2 requests

  6. How can a senior PMM join an existing team of PMMs and elevate his/her work and contributions to a higher level?

    Reshma Iyer
    Reshma Iyer

    Grow Progress VP Marketing • 1y

    A few that I've seen work:

    • Quickly learn the business and the product (a great PMM should be able to pitch/demo the product)

    • Embed cross-functionally as the Product marketer for that product

    • Offer when possible to contribute/help out as a brainstorming partner

    • Develop a point of view

    • Have a pulse on the happenings with key accounts and products that you are not aligned to

    432 Views
    2 requests

  7. What is the best way to get involved in PMM activities as a student or when we are not associated with any firm?

    Reshma Iyer
    Reshma Iyer

    Grow Progress VP Marketing • 1y

    • Looking at data-based trends and applying those

    • Building the storytelling muscle

    • Connecting the dots to form a bigger picture

    These are some starters agnostic of business/industry. Perhaps a college campaign or freelancing maybe some places to start. Running your own digital POV on topics might be an interesting way to get started as well.

    392 Views
    1 request

  8. What tools do you use to measure PMM's impact?

    Reshma Iyer
    Reshma Iyer

    Grow Progress VP Marketing • 1y

    I think of product marketing measurement and impact in a few different ways:

    • What are we building that’s helping bring more interest towards the product

    • How are we helping tell the product story is a compelling and differentiated way to establish interest and desire from prospects.

    • How are we helping the sale process? Are we helping accelerate it?

    • How can we shine light on customer successes?

    992 Views
    1 request

  9. How do I get into a US company from India as a PMM? What are the major skill based requirements?

    I have been working as a product marketing manager for the past few months and I feel the PMM role in India is not in a mature state and honestly am extremely exhausted of that immature job role. I am doing A to Z but not able to take ownership on the revenue part as much as I want to or even in the strategic part. I feel US is a more mature market in this aspect that's why I wanted to know. Thanks!

    Reshma Iyer
    Reshma Iyer

    Grow Progress VP Marketing • 1y

    Directly or indirectly attributable revenue is going to be an important one to crack. Additionally, here are some other areas: SME within marketing: collaborating with demand gen/growth to drive measurable pipeline Research: pre sales (in partnership with product through the key stages of product development, naming and pricing studies), post sales (feedback on the product/friction points for adoption, key contributor to customer advisory boards, contributing to cross-sell/upsell motions). Conte ...Read More

    831 Views
    2 requests

  10. How would you advise on learning the skills for transitioning from growth marketing (paid channels) to product marketing, and positioning of the transition during interviews?

    Reshma Iyer
    Reshma Iyer

    Grow Progress VP Marketing • 1y

    • Getting deeper with product (development process, roadmap building etc.) and understanding its business implications pre-sales and post

    • Working cross orgs I.e. not just within growth or marketing

    • Understanding and getting more familiar with buying/influencer personas, sales process.

    These are some starters to broaden your horizon from paid towards product marketing

    426 Views
    1 request