3 underestimated practices to future-proof your career as a marketer this summer
Alright, sweet humans that you are.
I see you - chillin' on the beach or next to the lido swimming lanes (Londoners, you know what I’m talking about). You’re cruising through the summer, and whether work is intense or not, the sunset vibes have taken hold of you (in the best way possible).
But before we let August melt into September, I’ve got something for you - served on a silver platter: 3 quick yet priceless practices to level up your career game.
So when September hits, it’s all about intentional moves (no matter how big or small).
Ready? Let’s dive in.
The no-BS skills audit🤘
Let’s be honest: the marketing landscape is shifting fast. AI tools, SEO updates, channel strategy changes - what was hot last year (even last month!) might be obsolete now.
So take an honest, 30-minute pause and ask yourself:
What tools or platforms have I not touched in 6+ months?
Where am I coasting instead of growing?
What skills I'm genuinely curious and interested in developing?
What skills are becoming more relevant in roles I aspire to?
Feel free to journal the first responses that come to mind and then, have an intentional look at your LinkedIn feed, job posts or industry newsletters as benchmarks.
🏃 To go an extra mile: Ask the following three questions to your colleagues, friends, and family members. Their answers might help bring another perspective to your skills audit:
What do you think are my top 2–3 strengths when it comes to work or life in general?
→ This helps spotlight what others instantly see as your value-add.If I wanted to stretch or grow in my career, what’s one area you think I should lean into?
→ This reveals hidden strengths, interests, or potential blind spots.When have you seen me at my best - and what was I doing?
→ This gives insight into your ideal working mode or superpower moments.
💡 Pro tip: Choose one micro-skill or tool to learn this month. Think: GA4, prompt engineering, Notion AI, video editing for socials… whatever aligns with your goals.
🫶 This is perfect for you if: you feel like your career is happening to you rahether than you being in charge and taking the lead.
2. The mini portfolio refresh 🧼
Whether it’s your website, LinkedIn profile, or dusty folder of case studies — your portfolio probably needs a quick tune-up. No need to overhaul everything. A 45-minute refresh can go a long way in helping you show up with confidence (and receipts ✨).
Start with one of these:
Update your LinkedIn headline or summary to reflect what you actually do best today — not what you were doing two years ago (yup, I see you with your dusty profile).
Add 1–2 recent projects or campaigns. Focus on outcomes, value delivered, and impact - not just tasks or deliverables.
Revisit older case studies and reframe them to highlight strategic thinking, creativity, or leadership moments.
And hey - if you’ve been doing great work that lives behind a password or an NDA, don’t forget you can still:
Summarise the scope + impact in vague but meaningful terms.
Share visuals or frameworks with sensitive details blurred out.
Create LinkedIn posts to talk about your process, even if you can’t show the end result.
Shall we talk about this GLORIOUS LinkedIn month we've had in the PLM community?! 🔥)
🏃 To go an extra mile: Record a short voice note or video walking through a project you're proud of - even if it’s just for yourself. Practice telling your story out loud so it feels natural when interview season or networking chats pop up.
Then (and yes, this is the hardest part): listen to it. Ask yourself:
“What would I think or feel if I were on the receiving end?” 👀
💡 Pro tip: Add a “Featured” section on your LinkedIn to spotlight wins, PDFs, press, or even standout content you’ve created. Treat it like your mini billboard.
🫶 This is perfect for you if: you secretly dread being asked for a portfolio or feel like your online presence doesn’t quite match your real-life magic.
3. The network mapping reset 🛜
It's not winter that's coming, it's September and should be read in your head as dramatically is in the GOT series. Because with it comes a flurry of events, job moves, launches, and "let’s catch up soon" messages. So why not get ahead of the curve?
This isn’t about “networking” in the performative sense. It’s about reconnecting with intention - and being top of mind (in a non-cringey way, I promise you this).
Start here:
Make a list of 5–10 people you’ve worked with, admire, or just enjoy chatting with.
Ask yourself:
→ Who have I lost touch with that I’d love to reconnect with?
→ Who’s doing interesting work I’m genuinely curious about?
→ Who’s supported me in the past and deserves a little love or a thank-you?
Use your inbox, LinkedIn messages, or calendar to jog your memory. You’ll be surprised how many warm leads, allies, or collaborators are already in your world - just waiting for a ping.
🏃 To go an extra mile: Segment your list. Try categories like:
“Reconnect” (former colleagues, mentors, collaborators)
“Stay close to” (industry peers, community members)
“New folks to meet” (someone you’ve followed, admired, or exchanged a comment or DM with)
💡 Pro tip: Use August to send 1–2 light, friendly messages with no ask. A “saw this and thought of you” article, a voice note, or just a “Hey, hope summer’s been kind to you!”
→ You’re planting seeds, not pitching anything.
🫶 This is perfect for you if: you feel like you’ve been head-down for months and want to emerge in September with a little warmth, momentum, and meaningful connections.
Food for thought.
You just went through three small-but-mighty things to future-proof your marketing career - and that’s a pretty big deal: CONGRATS!
But as always, the magic isn’t just in doing the thing. It’s in letting it stick.
So before you dive back into your Aperol or inbox, a few prompts to chew on:
🧠 Which of the 3 practices felt most energising - and why?
📅 Can you block 45 minutes in your calendar next week to act on it? (Think: adding that case study, reaching out to one person, or exploring that skill you're curious about.)
📓 What would it look like to give this moment of clarity a structure — a habit, a ritual, or even a shared goal with someone else?
💌 Could you forward this to a marketer friend and say, “Wanna do a check-in together next week?” (It’s always more fun with company. 👋)
And if you’re looking for a little extra fuel this month, I’ve got two ways to support you:
🙋🏻♀️ PLM members - I’ll be live in Slack on August 20th answering all your career questions. Big moves, small pivots, mindset wobbles - come as you are. I’ve got you.
🌿 Need a deeper reset? I'm facilitating 3 weeks of free coaching this August to help you step back, regroup, and realign with where your career is actually trying to go, and we're taking it 30 minutes at a time across 6 sessions.
If your mind’s been noisy or your energy’s been scattered, this one’s for you.
Career Coach, DEI Trainer, Speaker and Women Empowerer.
