No matter how cold the winter, there's a springtime ahead
I officially kicked off my new role last week—cue the confetti and caffeine. While I haven’t had as much time to dive into the usual Product Marketing deep cuts, this past week has been its own masterclass. Think: going from a slow, intentional on-ramp from winter's stillness to spring's first magical stretch. Just in time for the equinox.
Here in Texas, even the wildflowers are playing it cool this year. The bluebonnets and primroses are taking their time—shy, maybe, but not to be underestimated. And honestly? Same. I’m embracing the late-bloomer energy. Because sometimes the best glow-ups come after a good pause, a little patience, and a whole lot of learning in the background. 🌱✨
📬 What’s Inside This Week’s What Have We Learned (WHWL):
🌼 Late Bloomer Energy – I’ve just ramped up in my new role, and, like the Texas wildflowers, I’m embracing the slow-but-steady glow-up. 🌸
📚 Articles Worth Your Eyeballs – From messaging frameworks to slow-motion demos, this week’s reads are tactical, thoughtful, and slightly addictive.
🕺🏻Career Moves – 10 new job listings across product marketing, sales, and growth. If you’re hunting for a new gig, here’s some roles to put a spring in your step.
Let’s dig in—before the week fades into a blur of onboarding sprints, blooming wildflowers (or the stubborn promise of them), and the quiet hope that a late start still leads to something brilliant.
Jobs
Senior Product Marketing Manager (link), Pacvue
Product Marketing Manager (link), Postman
Product Marketing Consultant (link), TransUnion
Director of Product Marketing (link), Esper
Senior Product Marketing Manager (link), Yelp
Head of Marketing UK&I (link), Reapit
Director of Product Marketing (link), Roller
Product Marketing Manager (link), Affinity.co
Mid to Senior PMM (link), 4M Analytics
Product Marketing Manager (link), Unify
Articles I’m Clicking On & Why
Lost in Translation: Why Product Marketing Should Be Your Company’s Storyteller-in-Chief
Why you should read it:
This is your rallying cry if you’ve ever been caught between product, sales, and execs—all speaking different dialects of “what we do.” John McMahon makes the case for product marketers as the narrative glue of the company. It’s a must-read for anyone trying to translate product magic into market momentum without getting lost in the buzzword Bermuda Triangle.
📌 Key Takeaways:
• Bridge the Gaps: PMMs sit at the crossroads of product, marketing, and sales—owning the story means aligning the org.
• Messaging Is Strategy: Clear, consistent communication isn’t fluff—it’s foundational to competitive advantage.
• Own the Narrative: Don’t wait for someone else to “get it.” Step up as the translator, educator, and advocate.
Why a Strong Product Messaging Framework is Your Secret Sales Weapon
Why you should read it:
Without clear, resonant messaging, even the best product can fall flat. This guide walks through how to create a product messaging framework that brings clarity, consistency, and persuasion to every customer touchpoint. Whether you’re launching new features or building sales decks, a strong framework gives your team the tools to speak the same value-driven language.
📌 Key Takeaways:
• Clarity Converts: Misaligned or inconsistent messaging confuses buyers and slows down deals.
• Persona Precision: Tailoring messaging to different roles across the buying committee boosts relevance and influence.
• Framework = Focus: A centralized framework ensures marketing, product, and sales teams are aligned around the same narrative.
Which Companies Are Best at Producing PMs (and Future Founders)?
Why you should read it:
If you’re thinking about the talent you hire—or the trajectory of your own PM career—this research-based piece from Lenny’s Newsletter shows which companies build product leaders who go on to launch startups or ascend to executive roles. It’s a cheat sheet for spotting strong PM pedigrees and understanding what environments breed entrepreneurial thinking.
📌 Key Takeaways:
• PMs with Potential: Chime and Notion top the charts for turning PMs into successful founders.
• Signal in the Noise: Series A fundraising and leadership promotion rates can indicate high-caliber PM training grounds.
• Career Building Blocks: Culture, mentorship, and cross-functional exposure set the stage for outsized outcomes.
Why Slow Motion Can Actually Improve Your Product Marketing
Why you should read it:
Turns out, slowing things down can speed up understanding. This article dives into how slow-motion visuals can increase content clarity and aesthetic appeal—particularly for products with complex interactions. It’s a subtle but powerful tactic for making your demo videos, explainer content, or launch reels more intuitive and polished.
📌 Key Takeaways:
• Processing Fluency: Slower visuals make it easier for viewers to absorb what’s happening.
• Polish = Trust: Smooth, well-paced content can elevate perceived product quality.
• Use with Intention: Best used for showcasing dynamic movements or intricate user flows—not just for dramatic effect.
Ideas to Keep You Ahead: Pipeline is the Product
For product marketing leaders, pipeline isn’t just a sales metric—it’s a mirror of how well your product story is landing in-market. In this sharp post, Latane Conant reminds us that a strong pipeline tells you your GTM engine is healthy. A weak one? That’s a narrative issue.
She breaks it down simply:
“Pipeline is a byproduct of precision. Right market. Right segment. Right message. Right plays.”
Here’s how to think like a pipeline-first PMM:
🎯 Get Targeting Ruthlessly Right – Precision is your moat. Align with RevOps and Sales to cut through bloated TAMs and get specific on where the real opportunity lies.
🧠 Message for Motion – Messaging isn’t about sounding good. It’s about creating movement—opening doors, unblocking deals, and giving Sales language that converts.
⚙️ Fuel the Engine – Pipeline doesn’t show up by accident. If GTM plays are stalling, it’s often due to murky positioning or poor internal enablement. Fix the story, fix the motion.
📈 Monitor Signal, Not Just Activity – Track what’s resonating. What stories are earning meetings? Which plays are getting stuck? Be the one who reads between the numbers.
Pipeline is a lagging indicator of how well you’ve nailed your GTM strategy. And as Latane says: “You don’t fix pipeline with pipeline. You fix it upstream.”
What We’ve Learned: The Late Bloomer Glow-Up Is Real
Whether it’s onboarding into a new role, launching your next GTM play, or coaxing bluebonnets out of hiding, one thing’s clear: timing is everything. Move too fast without grounding? Chaos. Move too slow, and you might miss your moment. The sweet spot? Somewhere between strategy and stillness.
This season, I’m embracing the build—the progressive on-ramp, the shy wildflowers, the not-quite-ready but getting-there energy. Because sometimes, the best growth doesn’t shout. It blooms—quietly, confidently, and just when you need it most.
So here’s your nudge: take the next step, share your insights, apply for that role, or rewrite your messaging document with fresh eyes. Your glow-up is loading.
Until next time—keep learning, keep blooming, and if you catch me wrestling with my pollinator garden or a positioning doc… maybe cheer me on from a safe distance.
Language & Strategy Consultant to Those Who Value Lived Experience+Truth vs. Optics | Applied Ethicist | Cultural Translator | Conflict Mediator | Communication Analyst Deconstructing the Status Quo+Rearchitecting Trust
4moI was just thinking it's been a slow spring in the Hill Country. It has also been a dry winter. Right on cue, though, spring ushered the most aggressive storm we've had in two years. (Sitting in the closet with the dogs now, both celebrating the sideways rain and hail and wishing it was a little gentler for the sake of my fur babies.) Everything happens at the right time, though. Even in marketing. Or especially in marketing. Like everything else, we must do everything we can to plant seeds in the right season. But they will grow when the time is right. That's not ours to dictate. We can't do anything but give them the right light, water, and fertilizer. They'll grow/bloom into whatever they're supposed to be. Not everything will be showy year round, and the same asset may have slow years then explode. What's the saying? The first year, the plant sleeps. The second year it creeps. The third year it leaps. We need to remember that when we want to start measuring impact in a month's time. That's simply the germination period. The problem is that some things germinate but then get leggy and wilt. Some fry up. Some never see the light of day. That's okay. Just try again with a different seed.