Tips on how to switch jobs from a traditional marketing role in to product marketing in software, when you have no experience in the tech industry and have not been a product marketer before?

Try to make the switch in the company you are in already, will be very tough externally. 

that said, 

1. learn online - there is practically nothing you can't master in business today at least theory wise (different in science or medicine, etc.)

2a. do it for free, start with battlecards, etc. build a portfolio

2b. if you know a founder, get in to a very early startup and be his product marketer, possibly for near free, if the company grows and you get your practical stripes, you are a product marketer

3. try content marketing / writing, edge your way in

4. isolate a domain , something you can get passionate about, build an audience

5. network at product marketing groups (just starting), unlikely to hire you today but could pay dividends later

6. start your own company, as you grow and get people better than you become the product marketer

I'm going to be honest, you have a double barrier to entry. Many companies require both product marketing AND tech marketing experience before they will consider you for a product marketing role. And considering how many other qualified candidates there are right now having been laid off due to COVID, it's pretty competitive.

It's not impossible to make a quick switch but the likelihood is low at the moment. I would think of it as a long-term career move. Use your marketing experience to demonstrate that you can be a marketer in technology, which is a reasonable proposition to make. Learn the lingo of the tech space and all the nuances of general tech marketing so that you are able to speak with confidence and credibility in your interview.

As soon as you land in the industry, you are on your way! Once in, learn all about product launches and GTM approaches, high-level about software development, KPIs for product marketing, messaging excellence, etc. You'll need to do this on your own on top of your regular job (or perhaps find a way to incorporate some of it). 

Finally, as you are doing your tech marketing job, become an expert in the customer because that will help you differentiate from other product marketers. 

It can be done, it just takes an extra bit of effort. Good luck!