--- title: What Makes a Great Marketer? description: Marketing is a combination of art and science. image: https://www.davidmeermanscott.com/hubfs/shutterstock_2077138888.jpg --- [Skip to main content](https://www.davidmeermanscott.com/blog/what-makes-a-great-marketer#maincontent) [ «  View All Posts ](https://www.davidmeermanscott.com/blog) # What Makes a Great Marketer? December 17th, 2024 1 min read By [David Meerman Scott](https://www.davidmeermanscott.com/blog/author/david-meerman-scott) ![](https://www.davidmeermanscott.com/hs-fs/hubfs/shutterstock_2077138888.jpg?width=1500&height=1000&name=shutterstock_2077138888.jpg) In the past month, I’ve been a guest lecturer in marketing classes at a half dozen Universities that use my book [The New Rules of Marketing and PR](https://www.davidmeermanscott.com/books/the-new-rules-of-marketing-and-pr) in class. I’ve also worked with several marketing teams at companies. While people ask the question in different ways, I’m frequently asked in these sessions something like: “What makes a great marketer?” I typically answer with three characteristics of a great marketer. ### A great marketer focuses on buyers Organizations filled with people who take the time to understand the needs of buyers they wish to reach, and then educate and inform those buyers, are more successful than organizations that just talk about products and services. ### A great marketer is a storyteller Stories are universal, widely recognized as an essential part of human cognitive development. As social animals who crave connection with others, we find that stories—whether told orally, written on paper, or conveyed on film—are our most immediate way to enter the imaginative minds of others. When the story that you tell customers matches the story that customers tell themselves, your business is in alignment. ### A great marketer understands technology Marketing is a combination of art and science. Many marketers, however, spend more time on the art. Implementing marketing programs using a wide variety of platforms like the web, social networks, and video requires knowing the science behind the platforms.  Keeping up with ever evolving new technology like AI is essential and the ability to use often complex tools to measure means continuous improvement. [![New call-to-action](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/413105/3ccc7bbb-51d3-436c-9374-f749af16ae9b.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/413105/3ccc7bbb-51d3-436c-9374-f749af16ae9b) [ David Meerman Scott ](https://www.davidmeermanscott.com/blog/author/david-meerman-scott) David Meerman Scott is a business growth strategist, advisor to clever entrepreneurs who are building emerging companies, and the international bestselling author of a dozen books published in 30 languages. David’s high-energy keynote presentations, masterclasses, and virtual events educate, energize, and inspire. Connect: [mailto:david@freshspot.com](mailto:david@freshspot.com) Topics: [ New Rules of Marketing and PR ](https://www.davidmeermanscott.com/blog/topic/new-rules-of-marketing-and-pr) [ Marketing ](https://www.davidmeermanscott.com/blog/topic/marketing) [ Advertising ](https://www.davidmeermanscott.com/blog/topic/advertising) [ Best Practices ](https://www.davidmeermanscott.com/blog/topic/best-practices) Don't forget to share this post: ## Related Articles [![](https://www.davidmeermanscott.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Stefano%20Paciotti.jpg?width=1500&height=1084&name=Stefano%20Paciotti.jpg) ### The Ham Whisperer of Rome: How Stefano’s Honest Videos Won the World’s Heart June 24th, 2025|1 min read ](https://www.davidmeermanscott.com/blog/the-ham-whisperer-of-rome-how-stefanos-honest-videos-won-the-worlds-heart) [![](https://www.davidmeermanscott.com/hs-fs/hubfs/story%20time%20shutterstock_2078659261.jpg?width=1500&height=999&name=story%20time%20shutterstock_2078659261.jpg) ### The Story Customers Tell Themselves May 6th, 2025|1 min read ](https://www.davidmeermanscott.com/blog/the-story-customers-tell-themselves) [![](https://www.davidmeermanscott.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Facebook%20Live%20no%20more.jpg?width=1352&height=893&name=Facebook%20Live%20no%20more.jpg) ### Meta Focused On Profit Over Users: Now Deletes Facebook Live Videos After 30 Days April 28th, 2025|1 min read ](https://www.davidmeermanscott.com/blog/meta-focused-on-profit-over-users-now-deletes-facebook-live-videos-after-30-days) [![](https://www.davidmeermanscott.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Kolkata%20Chai%20Ani%20and%20Ayan.jpg?width=1236&height=858&name=Kolkata%20Chai%20Ani%20and%20Ayan.jpg) ### Brewing Authenticity: How Kolkata Chai Co. Uses Instagram to Reach Interested Buyers November 21st, 2024|1 min read ](https://www.davidmeermanscott.com/blog/brewing-authenticity-how-kolkata-chai-co.-uses-instagram-to-reach-interested-buyers) [![](https://www.davidmeermanscott.com/hs-fs/hubfs/LinkedIn-1.jpg?width=1500&height=1000&name=LinkedIn-1.jpg) ### How LinkedIn Profiles Can Make or Break Complex Sales September 9th, 2024|1 min read ](https://www.davidmeermanscott.com/blog/how-linkedin-profiles-can-make-or-break-complex-sales) [![](https://www.davidmeermanscott.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Live%20Streaming.jpg?width=672&height=464&name=Live%20Streaming.jpg) ### Create and Connect Through Live Video August 26th, 2024|1 min read ](https://www.davidmeermanscott.com/blog/create-and-connect-through-live-video) [![](https://www.davidmeermanscott.com/hs-fs/hubfs/B2B%20marketing.jpg?width=1477&height=1003&name=B2B%20marketing.jpg) ### Great B2B Marketing Is About People August 26th, 2024|1 min read ](https://www.davidmeermanscott.com/blog/great-b2b-marketing-is-about-people) [![](https://www.davidmeermanscott.com/hs-fs/hubfs/9e%20post.jpg?width=1500&height=1145&name=9e%20post.jpg) ### 9th Edition of The New Rules of Marketing & PR Publishes Today August 20th, 2024|1 min read ](https://www.davidmeermanscott.com/blog/9th-edition-of-the-new-rules-of-marketing-pr-publishes-today) [![](https://www.davidmeermanscott.com/hs-fs/hubfs/boring%20robots.png?width=1432&height=899&name=boring%20robots.png) ### Your Original Content Plus AI Equals Sparkle-Darkle August 13th, 2024|1 min read ](https://www.davidmeermanscott.com/blog/your-original-content-plus-ai-equals-sparkle-darkle) [![](https://www.davidmeermanscott.com/hs-fs/hubfs/AI%20UI%20design.jpg?width=1091&height=732&name=AI%20UI%20design.jpg) ### Companies Have An Obligation To Help Customers By Deploying AI & ML Within User Interfaces July 30th, 2024|1 min read ](https://www.davidmeermanscott.com/blog/companies-have-an-obligation-to-help-customers-by-deploying-ai-ml-within-user-interfaces) [![](https://www.davidmeermanscott.com/hs-fs/hubfs/4%20NRMPR%209e%203D%20blog.jpg?width=1259&height=843&name=4%20NRMPR%209e%203D%20blog.jpg) ### New 9th Edition of The New Rules of Marketing & PR Coming in August! June 20th, 2024|1 min read ](https://www.davidmeermanscott.com/blog/new-9th-edition-of-the-new-rules-of-marketing-pr-coming-in-august) [![](https://www.davidmeermanscott.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Jesse%20at%20Fenway.jpg?width=1256&height=843&name=Jesse%20at%20Fenway.jpg) ### Fans First Banana Ball Delights at Sold Out Fenway Park Game June 10th, 2024|1 min read ](https://www.davidmeermanscott.com/blog/fans-first-banana-ball-delights-at-sold-out-fenway-park) [![](https://www.davidmeermanscott.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Creativity%20Cannot%20be%20Crushed.jpg?width=569&height=327&name=Creativity%20Cannot%20be%20Crushed.jpg) ### Samsung’s “UnCrush” Video Newsjacking of Apple Fail May 16th, 2024|1 min read ](https://www.davidmeermanscott.com/blog/samsungs-uncrush-video-newsjacking-of-apple-fail) [![](https://www.davidmeermanscott.com/hs-fs/hubfs/shutterstock_573409429.jpg?width=1500&height=1000&name=shutterstock_573409429.jpg) ### What’s Your Goal? April 23rd, 2024|1 min read ](https://www.davidmeermanscott.com/blog/whats-your-goal) [![Marketing Strategy Diagram](https://www.davidmeermanscott.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Marketing%20Strategy%20Diagram.jpg?width=1387&height=976&name=Marketing%20Strategy%20Diagram.jpg) ### Simple Two Page Marketing Strategy Plan March 21st, 2024|1 min read ](https://www.davidmeermanscott.com/blog/simple-two-page-marketing-strategy-plan) [![](https://www.davidmeermanscott.com/hs-fs/hubfs/hq720.jpg?width=686&height=386&name=hq720.jpg) ### KOREAZ YouTube Channel Delivers Digital Public Diplomacy as Entertainment January 3rd, 2024|1 min read ](https://www.davidmeermanscott.com/blog/koreaz-youtube-channel-delivers-digital-public-diplomacy-as-entertainment) [![Blurred People View from Above](https://www.davidmeermanscott.com/hs-fs/hubfs/shutterstock_631017335.jpg?width=1500&height=843&name=shutterstock_631017335.jpg) ### The End of Mass October 26th, 2023|1 min read ](https://www.davidmeermanscott.com/blog/the-end-of-mass) [![Nantucket Island Surf School home page.](https://www.davidmeermanscott.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Nantucket%20Surfing.jpg?width=2138&height=1414&name=Nantucket%20Surfing.jpg) ### What Phrase or Word Do You Own? September 29th, 2023|1 min read ](https://www.davidmeermanscott.com/blog/what-phrase-or-word-do-you-own) [![](https://www.davidmeermanscott.com/hs-fs/hubfs/blog.jpg?width=1193&height=792&name=blog.jpg) ### Why You Need a Blog in the Age of AI and Social Networking September 5th, 2023|1 min read ](https://www.davidmeermanscott.com/blog/why-you-need-a-blog-in-the-age-of-ai-and-social-networking) [![](https://www.davidmeermanscott.com/hs-fs/hubfs/data%20and%20math2.jpg?width=1500&height=998&name=data%20and%20math2.jpg) ### How to Get Found in LLM AI Search Like ChatGPT-Powered Bing August 16th, 2023|1 min read ](https://www.davidmeermanscott.com/blog/how-to-get-found-in-llm-ai-search-like-chatgpt-powered-bing) [![](https://www.davidmeermanscott.com/hs-fs/hubfs/W3%20accessability.jpg?width=915&height=595&name=W3%20accessability.jpg) ### Make Your Web Content Accessible To All July 25th, 2023|1 min read ](https://www.davidmeermanscott.com/blog/make-your-web-content-accessible-to-all) [![](https://www.davidmeermanscott.com/hs-fs/hubfs/2024%20AI%20election.jpg?width=1197&height=806&name=2024%20AI%20election.jpg) ### Presidential Election 2024: How Artificial Intelligence is Rewriting the Marketing Rules June 29th, 2023|1 min read ](https://www.davidmeermanscott.com/blog/presidential-election-2024-how-artificial-intelligence-is-rewriting-the-marketing-rules) [![](https://www.davidmeermanscott.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Apple-WWCD23-Vision-Pro-with-battery-230605.jpg?width=1960&height=1102&name=Apple-WWCD23-Vision-Pro-with-battery-230605.jpg) ### Apple Vision Pro Spatial Computer Launch Is PR Done Right June 6th, 2023|1 min read ](https://www.davidmeermanscott.com/blog/apple-vision-pro-spatial-computer-launch-is-pr-done-right) ```json { "@context" : "https://schema.org", "@type" : "BlogPosting", "author" : { "@type" : "Person", "name" : "David Meerman Scott", "url" : "https://www.davidmeermanscott.com/blog/author/david-meerman-scott" }, "dateModified" : "2026-01-13T14:46:07.171Z", "datePublished" : "2024-12-17T20:23:54.000Z", "headline" : "What Makes a Great Marketer?", "image" : [ "https://www.davidmeermanscott.com/hubfs/shutterstock_2077138888.jpg" ], "mainEntityOfPage" : { "@id" : "https://www.davidmeermanscott.com/blog/what-makes-a-great-marketer", "@type" : "WebPage" }, "publisher" : { "@type" : "Organization", "logo" : { "@type" : "ImageObject", "url" : "https://www.davidmeermanscott.com/hubfs/_Assets/Logo/david-meerman-scott.png" }, "name" : "David Meerman Scott" } } ``` ```json { "@context" : "https://schema.org", "@id" : "https://www.davidmeermanscott.com/#person", "@type" : "Person", "description" : "Marketing and sales visionary, international bestselling author of 12 books, keynote speaker in 47 countries, and advisor to emerging companies.", "email" : "mailto:David@DavidMeermanScott.com", "image" : "https://www.davidmeermanscott.com/hubfs/DMS-Homepage-Featured.jpg", "jobTitle" : [ "Keynote Speaker", "Author", "Business Growth Strategist", "Marketing Advisor" ], "knowsAbout" : [ "Content Marketing", "Fandom Marketing", "Newsjacking", "Real-Time Marketing", "Public Relations", "Sales Strategy", "Business Growth" ], "name" : "David Meerman Scott", "sameAs" : [ "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/David_Meerman_Scott", "https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidmeermanscott", "https://x.com/dmscott", "https://www.instagram.com/dmscott/" ], "url" : "https://www.davidmeermanscott.com" } ``` ```json { "@context" : "https://schema.org", "@id" : "https://www.davidmeermanscott.com/#website", "@type" : "WebSite", "author" : { "@id" : "https://www.davidmeermanscott.com/#person" }, "name" : "David Meerman Scott", "potentialAction" : { "@type" : "SearchAction", "query-input" : "required name=search_term_string", "target" : { "@type" : "EntryPoint", "urlTemplate" : "https://www.davidmeermanscott.com/search?q={search_term_string}" } }, "url" : "https://www.davidmeermanscott.com" } ``` ```json { "@context" : "https://schema.org", "@type" : "BlogPosting", "author" : { "@type" : "Person", "name" : "David Meerman Scott", "url" : "https://www.davidmeermanscott.com/blog/author/david-meerman-scott" }, "dateCreated" : "2024-12-17T20:18:40", "datePublished" : "2024-12-17T15:23:54-0500", "description" : "Marketing is a combination of art and science.", "headline" : "What Makes a Great Marketer?", "image" : [ "https://413105.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hubfs/413105/shutterstock_2077138888.jpg" ], "inLanguage" : "en-us", "keywords" : [ "New Rules of Marketing and PR", "Marketing", "Advertising", "Best Practices" ], "learningResourceType" : "article", "name" : "What Makes a Great Marketer?", "publisher" : { "@type" : "Organization", "logo" : { "@type" : "ImageObject", "url" : "https://413105.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hubfs/413105/_Assets/Logo/david-meerman-scott.png" }, "name" : "Freshspot Marketing LLC" }, "timeRequired" : "1 minutes", "url" : "https://www.davidmeermanscott.com/blog/what-makes-a-great-marketer" } ```