In the ever-evolving digital world we live in we are seeing more digital disruption, mostly down to the fact that AI is gaining traction and taking on more marketing responsibilities. With the rising concerns that the ‘human’ element is being lost and that perhaps AI could even replace us and take our roles we are seeing a big shift in how brands and businesses are adapting their marketing needs.
Whilst AI and AI powered tools can certainly allow us to become more efficient I feel there is also a need for brands and businesses to have the ability to embrace new technologies quickly and have a breadth of knowledge across the marketing and digital landscape that can be implemented into a cohesive strategy. Enter the T-shaped marketer—a role that blends broad knowledge across various marketing disciplines with deep expertise in one or two specific areas. As businesses gear up for 2025 and beyond, the T-shaped marketer is set to become an invaluable asset.
What is a T-Shaped Marketer?
A T-shaped marketer possesses a broad understanding and hands on experience in a range of marketing disciplines such as Lead gen, ABM, content marketing, social media, PPC, and email marketing etc. This breadth of knowledge is represented by the horizontal line of the “T.” Meanwhile, the vertical line of the “T” symbolises the deep expertise in one or two particular areas, allowing these marketers to tackle complex challenges with specialised skills.
Why Businesses Will Need T-Shaped Marketers
T-shaped marketers can bring a huge advantage to brands and businesses, here are a few for you to consider.
Adaptability and Versatility: The digital marketing landscape is constantly changing. T-shaped marketers are agile and can quickly adapt to new trends, tools, and technologies. Their broad knowledge base allows them to pivot and fill gaps within a team, making them invaluable in dynamic environments. Plus, T-Shaped marketers will come with a good amount of experience and habits when it comes to keeping ahead of the curve within the marketing landscape.
Strategic Insight: With a comprehensive understanding of various marketing disciplines, T-shaped marketers can craft holistic strategies that integrate different tactics seamlessly. This ensures a cohesive approach that drives better results. Personally, this is one of my strengths and key things I love about being a marketer, having the ability to craft bespoke strategies based upon the needs of my clients.
Collaboration and Communication: T-shaped marketers are excellent collaborators. Their broad knowledge enables them to communicate effectively with specialists in other areas, fostering a more integrated and efficient team environment.
Cost-Effectiveness: Hiring a T-shaped marketer can be more cost-effective for businesses. Instead of assembling a large team of specialists, a T-shaped marketer can wear multiple hats, reducing overhead costs while still delivering high-quality results.
The Freelance Advantage
In today’s digital world, freelance T-shaped marketers offer a range of advantages to brands businesses:
Flexibility: Freelance marketers can be brought on board as needed, allowing businesses to scale their marketing efforts up or down based on current needs and budgets. I personally enjoy working with businesses on key campaigns where they need my expertease, be it ABM or a brand launch.
Fresh Perspectives: Freelancers often work with a variety of clients across different industries. This exposure provides them with a wealth of knowledge and fresh perspectives that they can bring to each new project. It’s always great to get the key people in a room to truly understand what our common goal is and to get everyone’s perspective, this is key to any project or campaign, I would start with a discovery session.
Specialised Skills: Freelance T-shaped marketers often have deep expertise in specific areas, along with broad experience in other marketing disciplines. This makes them well-equipped to handle diverse marketing challenges.
Cost Savings: Freelancers can be a more economical choice compared to full-time employees. Businesses can benefit from the specialized skills of a T-shaped marketer without the long-term commitment and associated costs of hiring full-time staff.
Why Work with Being Human Marketing?
At Being Human Marketing, we embody the essence of the T-shaped marketer. Led by founder Sudhir Kumar, we bring over a decade of experience in crafting strategies and leading teams for global brands. Our unique approach blends big agency expertise with agile freelance efficiency, delivering outstanding results for businesses and agencies alike.
We specialise in a wide range of services, including:
- New Business and Pitching Support: Helping you secure new opportunities with confidence.
- Bespoke Strategy Creation: Tailored strategies for ABM, lead generation, demand generation, and inbound marketing.
- Data Enrichment & Analysis: Providing insights that drive decision-making and growth.
- Creative Ideation & Direction: Innovative ideas that set your brand apart.
- Social Media Management: Comprehensive management of organic and paid social campaigns.
- Website Development & Design: Creating user-friendly, visually appealing websites.
- AI Support & Implementation: Leveraging cutting-edge AI solutions.
- Activation Campaigns: Driving engagement and conversions.
As businesses move forward into 2025, the demand for T-shaped marketers will continue to grow. Partnering with a versatile and experienced team like Being Human Marketing ensures that your business stays ahead of the curve, driving real ROI and building genuine connections with your audience.
Let’s connect and explore how we can elevate your marketing game.