Why empathy is a crucial skill for marketers and PR pros

When trying to make your case to skeptical and overwhelmed audiences, it will be difficult to find success if you can’t walk a mile in their shoes.

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It may sound odd, but empathy is one of the more valuable skills that a digital marketing expert should possess.

Consider this example: Jessica is an entrepreneur with a background in social media management. A few years ago, she hung out her shingle as a marketing consultant for nonprofit organizations.

The inspiration to start her business came after she spent some time volunteering with several organizations in her area. She simply wanted to have a way to help others in need, as she couldn’t just sit at home knowing there were people and animals who needed help.

She quickly found her niche creating campaigns designed to help attract the eye of more supporters. For each organization she works with, Jessica spends time volunteering there, taking in the day to day operations and observing the way the public perceives the organization, both online and in person.

With all of this information and her firsthand experience, Jessica is able to create content that not only depicts the organizations strongly but connects with viewers and users. Even casual followers have taken notice of her campaigns, which focus not on asking for financial support but on showing viewers how they can help and showing them what impact they can make.

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