Do you recommend developing deep focus in B2B or B2C PMM work? Are skills transferable? When you look for a candidate do you look for B2B or B2C experience specifically?

I touched on this a bit above - I started my career in B2B and learned really valuable lessons before moving more deeply into B2C.  I think Marketing is evolving so quickly that you can learn extremely valuable skills in either the B2B or the B2C world that are applicable across both, so wouldn't say strictly focusing on just one for the next 10-years is absolutely the right (or wrong choice.) It's more the growth mindset and defining and understanding what your career goals and ambitions are.  ...Read More

There are multiple factors you could use to determine where to build a deeper focus but I don’t necessarily think that you have to make such a firm pick. There are definitely nuances between the two roles, but skills are also transferable. Crafting messaging/positioning, translating user insights into strategy, influencing product/technical roadmaps, and understanding market behaviors are all skills which at the core are the same across both B2B and B2C. It might be harder to cross over between ...Read More

I've thought about this a lot as I've worked across both B2B and B2C and wondered if it makes sense to specialize and how transferrable skills are. This is also something I've asked many leaders and mentors. The overwhelming advice I've gotten is to focus on being a good marketer and not focus on B2B vs. B2C - instead, think about the types of problems you're interested in solving, the day to day work that most engages and challenges you, and how much you'll learn in a certain job. Additionally, ...Read More

There’s no singular answer to this one. It truly depends on what your goals and ambitions are for your marketing career. For instance, some people just really like the type of work they get to do on B2C product marketing. The same goes for B2B product marketing. If you’re someone who gets the most fulfillment out of one more than the other and would find it a drag to do your best work if you couldn’t, it may make sense to go as far as you can in that space. In that sense, yes, it absolutely make ...Read More

Skills are ABSOLUTELY transferrable! Being the voice of the customer, influencing product development, building positioning & messaging and leading GTM are all transferrable skills. I have not written off a candidate in the past if they only had B2B or B2C experience, pending their level of seniority and the role I was looking to fill. More than anything, I really look at the TYPES of projects they have lead and the impact they have driven. For the most part, deeply understanding your produc ...Read More

- It's all about being able to tell a story about how your previous experience tracks to what you want to do- B2B and B2C are converging a bit so I think the skills are definitely transferrable. It might be hard to move from the far end of the spectrum all the way to the other far end- What determines fit for a position isn’t just about B2B vs. B2C. It is also about: - How well defined the product is - What stage of life the company is in - How well supported the role will be - Whether or it is ...Read More

I spent some time in B2C before transitioning to B2B - I did so easily by transitioning into a PLG B2B company. My skills were more product-focused, so I was able to apply those same skills for retention, activation, and growth in a B2B company.  I would say the transition is harder from a sales-focused PMM to a consumer-focused PMM. This is because your brain is hardwired to think at the 30,000-foot view, position to buyers and large enterprises, and craft collateral and training around those p ...Read More