What do you do if you need guidance from your boss in product marketing?

Whenever I need guidance from my boss in product marketing: I always . . . - Schedule a meeting to discuss specific challenges or questions - Prepare clear, concise information about the project and goals - Ask open-ended questions to encourage feedback and discussion - Be open to constructive criticism and new ideas - Take notes and summarize action items or next steps - Follow up with an email to confirm understanding and progress - Be proactive and seek guidance before issues become major problems Remember, asking for guidance shows you're committed to success and willing to learn. Don't hesitate to seek help when needed.

Preparation is key. Before approaching them, gather all relevant data, such as market research, customer feedback, and performance metrics. Be clear on the specific areas where you need advice, whether it’s messaging, target audience, or campaign strategy. Present your challenges concisely and offer potential solutions or ideas. This shows initiative and allows for a more focused and productive discussion.

I think it's important to not just approach a boss with a question or problem, but also potential solutions. It forces the employee to think differently, and shows the boss the employee has initiative.

Put yourself in your boss's shoes and anticipate potential questions or concerns they may have about the issue. Prepare concise answers and explanations to address these questions proactively during your discussion.

I wanted to offer my feedback on this in this first section because I think you can spend way too much time worrying and not enough time executing. If you’re not in an environment, where you can ask for feedback or guidance right now…. You may be in the wrong environment.

If you're in the middle of a major campaign launch, asking for guidance last minute can create unnecessary stress. Timing matters when seeking advice from your boss in product marketing. Choose a moment when they aren’t overwhelmed by other priorities and when there's enough time to implement their feedback. Plan ahead and ensure you approach them when both of you can have a focused, meaningful conversation. This will ensure more thoughtful input and better results.

To get your job done make sure that what your asking for has - a clear value and objective behind - comes with a direct benefit to the organization - you’re prepared with objection handling and rationale for your ask. Timing of the above is important if you’re about to take valuable time from your manager hence make it effective

Save time by being clear with your boss about how they can help you. Your boss will appreciate you telling them; hey, I have a challenging scenario and I need your help. I need you to make X decision. Here is the information you need to help you make that decision. This way, your boss knows exactly what is needed from them and their time is used effectively. And you'll will get a clear guidance.

Say you are faced with the problem. I like the old adage If you keep it to yourself its your problem, if you come to me its our problem. I would first investigate all possibilities in a timely manner prior to bringing it to forward.

I have found timing is everything if you need valuable input. -Create an invitation with a clear agenda; even if it’s only a few bullet points. -Stay on task during the meeting. Be respectful of the time. Everyone’s time has value!

Collect data, metrics, or examples that support your understanding of the problem or challenge you're facing. This could include market research findings, customer feedback, or performance analytics related to previous marketing efforts. Having concrete evidence to back up your points can strengthen your case and provide context for your boss. Also, practice articulating your thoughts and ideas concisely and confidently before meeting with your boss.

Let's take a couple of examples regarding being specific when discussing your issue. When you are unclear about the product messaging and positioning and feel that it should be changed, refer to examples. This not only backs up your point but also helps your boss better understand the context. Similarly, when your are unsure about the steps in a process and feel a bottleneck, communicate how does it impact the overall process and the outcome in a clear manner with no words mixed. There might be a reason behind the inclusion of the particular step. Listen to your boss and understand the logic behind it. If necessary, counterargument. This will ensure more clarity from your boss's end.

I like to follow up with a short email summary of the conversation referencing discussion points and action steps. This creates a quick reference guide for future conversations and starts an easily accessible email chain for both of you.