A Marketer's Christmas List: 2021 Edition
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Ahhh the Holidays...
When I envision my ideal holiday season, I picture snow flurries, cozying up in my favorite PJs by the fire, playing board games with the kids while drinking a hot beverage (preferably spiked 😉)... You too?
In reality, though, the holiday season tends to translate panic over last minute work to-do’s and struggling to find the perfect gift for everyone on your list.
Around this time everyone asks, “What do you want for Christmas?”
What an awkward question! And one a lot of us struggle with. We have no time in our busy schedules to think about what it is we really want for Christmas.
So this year, let me help you out. I sat down and thought about the top gifts for a marketer today. I hope this sparks inspiration for gift ideas for your own Christmas list, or another marketer in your life. So forward this to your boss, your co-workers, or treat yourself for the holidays!
8 gifts every marketer needs: 2021 edition
ReMarkable:
ReMarkable is a super thin, portable paper tablet, which I absolutely love. It gives me the feeling of writing on paper, but has the ease and organization of a computer. I can take notes during interviews or jot down new book ideas from anywhere then easily turn them into text to use for presentations, emails, etc. I love that I can keep all my notes organized on one tablet and then easily transfer them to google drive or dropbox. Seriously, this thing is amazing!
2. Linkedin Learning:
The best marketers are always learning, and with LinkedIn Learning, you can access endless courses from business to photography to drawing, and even architecture courses. I have spent so much time on this platform over the last few years and still find new and interesting courses to take. I also happen to have a few courses on Linkedin Learning that you can take a look at here:
Market Research Foundations
Generational Design
Qualitative Market Research
Journey Mapping
Mobile Diary Studies
Brand Storytelling
Best part: Get a free 3-week trial when you sign up—so no commitments, even though I know you will be hooked once you start!
3. An Audible Membership:
Any marketer will tell you, “I have no time to read.” But they do have time to listen! It’s so easy to put on an audiobook or podcast when you are walking the dog… or listening to your spouse ramble on (kidding!).
That’s why an audiobook membership is the perfect gift. Audible has a wide selection of audiobooks and podcasts and offers a couple different membership packages. Plus, you get a free 30 day trial when you sign up!
4. Yeti Blue Microphone:
Are you constantly creating videos, courses, speaking at virtual conferences, or hopping on the line as a guest podcaster? That’s my life, and one of my best investments has been a great microphone. I especially like this set because you can attach the arm to the side of your desk and swing it toward you when you need it, and get it out of the way when you don’t!
Yeti Blue Microphone with Shock Mount, Boom Arm and Pop Filter
5. A Ring Light:
Another way I have stepped up my videos this year is with a ring light! It gives me the perfect lighting to make all my videos look amazing. I love both of these variations:
Large ring light for high-quality videos
Small clip-on to light your face on a zoom call or pop in a bag for travel
6. Flodesk:
I am always talking about how great Flodesk is. It is one of the easiest email marketing platforms I’ve tried (and I’ve tried a bunch!). Templates are super easy and always turn out beautifully. This link will give you a no-strings-attached free trial (you don’t have to enter your credit card) and will give you 50% off if you choose to buy after the free trial is over:
https://flodesk.com/c/SARAHWEISE
7. For the Reader:
So many of Seth Godin’s books have changed my life. And he has just come out with a new book called The Practice which gives you creative insight and inspiration when you need it. This is number one on my own Christmas list!
12 Week Year by Brian P. Moran and Michael Lennington is another great book that every marketer should read. It’s a guide to achieving your yearly goals in just 12 weeks. It’s the perfect time of year to read this book, as we all are creating our yearly goals for 2022. But imagine you could accomplish your yearly goals in the first 12 weeks of 2022 instead of by next December? Sounds like a great start to the year!
8. For the Organizer:
Staying organized is the number one thing every marketer must do. The best way for me to stay organized is with a planner.
Physical planner: If you enjoy good ol’ pen and paper, the inner-guide planner has calendar basics plus sections to track goals, both personal and professional. It’s one of the only ones I’ve seen that takes a holistic look to planning.
For daily tasks: I love this set of tear-off sheets that keeps you focused on your top tasks of the day.
The holidays are meant to be a joyous and giving time. So, hopefully my Christmas list has helped to relieve a little of the stress that comes with this season and give you more time to enjoy your family, the twinkling lights and a warm beverage… or two. 😉
Happy Holidays!
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Sarah Weise is the CEO of award-winning marketing research agency Bixa and the bestselling author of InstaBrain: The New Rules for Marketing to Generation Z. For 15 years, Sarah has been a guide to hundreds of leading brands including Google, IBM, Capital One, Mikimoto, PBS, and U.S. Army, to name a few. Sarah helps brands achieve a laser-focus on their customers and build experiences that are downright addictive. She lectures at Georgetown University's McDonough School of Business and speaks at conferences and corporate events worldwide.