5 digital skills communicators should sharpen in the new year

Forbes has published a list of the digital skills it sees as essential, and TEKsystems polled 250 more than CMOs to find out what they’re looking for in 2018. After sifting through the data, here are my picks for what savvy communicators should dive into this year:

1. Analytics. This one wins—no contest. If you are not using analytics to measure your PR and content activities, or not doing so at a high level, prioritize honing this skill in 2018. Learn about custom dashboards, and commit to tracking metrics that matter to your clients. If you’re not sure where to start, read this transcript of a #MeasurePR chat.

2. Content strategy. CMOs are looking for people who can figure out what the audience wants—and how to reach them at the right moment. Devising a content strategy that cuts through the noise and gets results requires several skills. Communicators should brush up on monitoring conversations, analyzing data and tracking results.