Interview with Semen Polosov – one of the leading marketers of our Country

Our project will be a website dedicated to useful marketing skills, where people can read general information about marketing and improve their knowledge. They will also be able to get further advice from a marketing specialist on our website. We would like to conduct an interview with a well-known marketer and tell about his path of success, thereby showing our audience how popular this profession is. It is expected that such content will become a trigger for our audience and convince them that making a career as a marketer is not so difficult and that this work can become their life's work.

About the invited guest

Semen Polosov is the founder and CEO of a startup that helps people take control of their online information. He is married and has two children who move him towards success and professional development. His desire to provide support for his family has made him a good professional. He started in customer service as an internet marketing manager, conducted research for leading Russian companies, and then became vice president of a hugely successful startup.

Questions

⎯ Do you like your job? If yes, why?

⎯ Well…What I love is that I can make people happy, namely my customers. I love working with people, studying what they want, understanding how I can make their life even easier and more convenient. A marketer is one of the most promising professions. You will get a ton of opportunities to express yourself!

⎯ How did you decide to be a marketer?

⎯ It happened that I moved to St. Petersburg for a while and found my first job there. I was selling website development and promotion. There was no internet marketing at the time, there was only SEO. During the courses, before starting working, we were taught: site building, SEO, optimization so that we could sell the product to potential clients. Since 2007, my immersion in this area started growing rapidly. I worked a little, first as a manager, then as a head of the sales department, and after a while I realized that sales were not entirely mine and began to immerse myself in the product.

⎯ What are the brightest moments in a marketer's life?

⎯ First of all, it is, of course, rest. But I don't know a single marketer working in the realities of Russian business who, over the past two or three years, has allowed themselves to fully relax…So you have to get satisfaction from work in order to somehow replenish energy cost (laughing).

⎯ Did websites dedicated to marketing help you?

⎯ Of course, reading marketing blogs is a must for a marketer to stay up to date with the latest news and the latest trends.

⎯ What do you think is the best way to learn marketing these days?

⎯ I think of course to go to study for this profession at a university. These days, marketers are an integral part of most companies and organizations across a wide variety of industries. From hotels and restaurants to fashion houses and food companies, marketers are needed everywhere. Another option is all kinds of marketing courses and books from leading experts and bloggers. I can't say that this is enough to gain a comprehensive knowledge in this area, but this can be a great additional source of information and a way to keep up with latest trends.

⎯ What should be one`s first step in marketing?

⎯ To become a marketer, first, learn how to promote yourself. This way you will not only gain relevant marketing experience, but also show that you know your business. I recommend participating in volunteer projects in marketing positions. However, if you have a marketing job in mind, don't miss out on this opportunity. Overall, the first thing you need to do is to gain experience.

⎯ Do you think it is advisable to consult with marketers in order to obtain marketing skills?

⎯ Yes, of course, consultation with a person who has extensive experience in the business you want to do is always advisable. You can find out not only the advantages of your profession, but also its pitfalls.

⎯ To what extent are marketing consultations in demand now?

⎯ They are in great demand. Even a business that understands that it needs a head of the marketing department often needs to consult a specialist too. This consultation will clarify what person they will hire as the head of the marketing department and whether they even need this specialist. Almost every business needs it.

⎯ How much can a good marketer earn today?

⎯ The average salary in Moscow is 105,833 rubles - with the minimum of 30,000 rubles, and the maximum of 300,000 rubles. I don't know who dreams of what, but one thing I can say for sure - the best "salary" is when a client receives a reward for trading the brand to which you also put your efforts.

⎯ What advice do you have for our readers?

⎯ Don't focus on just one thing. If you're in an online space, first of all make sure you know how to measure metrics using analytics. Then, learn how channels and tools like SEO, media, affiliate links, and PPC differ. It also makes sense to make sure you know exactly where each penny goes and how it comes back to you. If you keep track of this, you will succeed.

⎯ Who are the best marketers of our time and why?

⎯ I think the best marketers are the ones we haven't heard of because they are too busy with their jobs (smiling).

⎯ Thank you for this nice talk. We`re sure you have provided our readers with a lot of food for thoughts.

⎯ You are always welcome! It is my pleasure if I managed to motivate and inspire a young generation.