Learning to code is not just for programmers

As technology and digital tools have evolved over the past few decades, so has marketing strategy. Marketers have embraced the benefits digital tools provide as ways to target specific audiences, increase message reach and track campaign results - and do it all fast. While most marketers use a digital strategy, few understand the code behind the campaign.

So why is it important for marketers to learn code or at least have a basic understanding of how code works? Here are the top three reasons:

1. Work Efficiently as a Team: How many times have you been on calls or had conversations with developers and felt more than a little lost? You’re not alone. Many marketers feel they’re speaking a different language than developers. By understanding terminology, learning to code and gaining an appreciation for programming principles, you will be able to communicate effectively with developers, saving you time, money and the headache of having to explain “something’s off with the thingamabob on the left side of the page” again.
2. Understand Your Tools: Digital tools are changing and updating rapidly. Having a real understanding of how these tools do what they do is crucial in effectively implementing campaigns. Not to mention, in the non-stop world of marketing, quick changes and tweaks are often needed to keep campaigns on track and optimize your results. Wouldn’t it be easier if you could make these minor changes yourself? Knowing how to code and increasing your skillset can streamline processes and help you adapt quickly!
3. Knowledge is Power: We live in a data-driven world and being able to show quantitative results is important to every organization. For marketers, this is especially true when showing the effectiveness of your campaigns. Having a working-proficiency in HTML and JavaScript will help you track your campaigns, use tools like Google Analytics to their full ability and enhance your analytics.

As the world becomes ever more reliant on technology, having a foundational understanding of code is critical for all professionals - particularly marketers.

If you’re interested in learning more or want to try your hand at code, check out some free online tools like Code Academy or Khan Academy. If you’re looking for a more in-depth experience and would like to take your coding skills to the next level, a course at The Iron Yard code school might be right for you.

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