Hello hello 👋🏽,

Welcome to the 8th edition of Marketers Help Marketers.

It's so good to be back after a 3-week hiatus from the newsletter.

I've been noticeably missing from newsletter, podcast and LinkedIn because work has been bat-shit crazy. I am still figuring out how to balance MHM with life, but getting there.

Today's edition comes with two special bonuses:

• First, an unsponsored feature on a Vibe Marketing Cohort run by a marketer I deeply admire. This isn't paid - it's just that good.

• Second, I've included open roles from my network. Great jobs need great people, and I know both sides of that equation hang out here.

Now on to business.

Here's one question all of us have wondered at some point in our careers, irrespective of years of experience -

Why do some marketers literally zoom ahead in their careers, while others stay stuck at the same level for years?

One of the reasons for this is -

they (consistently) operate above their pay grade.

In today's edition, we are going to dive into the whys, whats, and hows of replicating this ourselves.

The job description myth

Most people believe hitting all items on their job description is enough.

But here's the thing - your job description lists minimum expectations.

It is not your growth ceiling.

Yet, many marketers treat it like one.

They complete assigned tasks, then log off.

That approach keeps careers crawling.

Delivering value beyond your scope signals readiness for bigger mandates.

And that's operating above your pay grade.

Marketing is uniquely positioned for this approach.

Unlike a lot of other disciplines, marketing rewards initiative and impact.

The marketers who grow fastest aren't just checking boxes.

They're already doing parts of the next role up.

When you operate at the level above your current role, you compress time.

Think of your career growth as three progression levels.

You want to be at Level Three if you're eyeing phenomenal growth.

Promotions happen because you've proved you can do the job.

Not because you have potential.

You're probably thinking, "This sounds great, but how do I actually do this?"

It's simpler than you think.

Here are a few ways to start operating above your pay grade starting today.

Map the role above yours

Find the job description for the next-level position you want or the next role up the ladder.

Identify 2-3 key responsibilities that aren't currently part of your role.

These become your target areas for stretching.

If you are not sure what these responsibilities are? Ask someone in that role for a coffee chat.

Ask them: "What takes most of your time strategically?"

Next, speak the language of the level above you.

This tiny shift shows you're thinking like a manager, not just a specialist.

That alone separates you from 90% of your peers.

Volunteer strategically

Don't just raise your hand for any extra work.

Choose initiatives that will help you build muscle and skills for the next level.

Better yet, create these opportunities if they don't naturally exist.

But how do you create opportunities to volunteer?

Because every marketing team has issues that fall through the cracks.

Now, while you are doing this, you need to consider one thing - company culture.

Some companies openly encourage initiative.

While others have stricter boundaries.

Gauge your environment before making big moves.

This doesn't mean don't act – just adjust your approach accordingly.

If you are worried about seeming too ambitious, remember your focus should be on solving real problems, not just being visible.

When you focus on solving real problems instead of just being visible, you're not playing office politics.

You're building your case for promotion.

Take initiative (but get buy-in first)

Now this one is very important.

Don't go rogue with volunteering; speak with your manager first.

A way to broach this subject with your manager could be -

For instance, if you see your team struggling to align with product launches.

Create a simple workflow document that connects the dots. Then share it with your manager.

"I noticed this challenge and thought this might help. What do you think?"

Framed this way, most managers will support you.

Remember, good managers appreciate initiative when it's focused on team success.

So, bring them along from day one.

Frame stretch projects as supporting team goals, not replacing anyone's role.

Especially do this. 👇

Share credit generously. Make your manager and team look good, too.

Have open conversations about your ambitions and seek their guidance.

Document your impact religiously

Keep a running list of these "above pay grade" contributions. Let's call this a "promotion packet".

It should contain examples of above-level work. Include metrics, feedback, and concrete outcomes.

Find out what metrics the VP or CMO cares about.

Create reports that connect your work to those metrics.

For example, as a demand gen manager, don't just report on leads.

Show how your campaigns impact sales pipeline velocity or deal size over time.

When review time comes, you'll have concrete examples ready.

What if you do everything and still don't get promoted?

You're building valuable skills that make you marketable anywhere.

Even if your current company doesn't recognize your contributions, others will.

These achievements will look impressive on your resume.

Remember, the skills you develop belong to you. Always.

Work smarter, not longer: The 70-20-10 rule

A few of you might be wondering - won't all this extra work on top of my existing workload push me towards burnout?

Well, no. Not if you're strategic about your energy and time.

The secret is working differently, not necessarily more.

Review these ratios monthly and make adjustments as needed.

Focus on high-leverage tasks that move important metrics.

Skip (or automate) low-impact admin work that drains your energy without results.

Remember, operating above your pay grade isn't about unpaid overtime.

It's about being intentional with the hours you already work.

Sometimes you need to do less routine stuff to make room for impact work.

The biggest obstacle to operating above pay grade isn't your manager or company structure.

It's the belief that you need permission to operate at a higher level.

You don't.

Operating above your pay grade isn't about stepping on toes.

It's about solving problems nobody asked you to solve.

Focus on results, not titles or recognition.

The promotion becomes the natural consequence, not the primary goal.

For the coming week, I encourage you to do something:

• Look at the role one level above yours

• Pick ONE responsibility from that role you could start taking on now

• Send me a message sharing which responsibility you've chosen

I'll be rooting for you. ✨

Vibe marketing cohort by GuruQore

Average marketers use ChatGPT.

Smart marketers build systems that work for them using different AI tools.

Which one are you? 🤔

GuruQore's Vibe Marketing Cohort transforms you into an AI-powered marketer in 8 weeks.

You'll learn to clone videos, build chatbots, and create studio-quality ads.

And that's just the tip of the iceberg.

Perfect for early-career talent who want an edge and mid-career leads who need to scale results, fast.

Limited to 10 seats for maximum hands-on learning and personal attention.

Only 4 seats left for individualized AI training that actually sticks.

As a Marketers Help Marketers reader, you get an exclusive 25% discount.

This is your career accelerator - the ultimate "above your pay grade" move.

Job postings in my network

• Assistant Manager/Manager – Marketing and Communications - Consergy - Mumbai - 8-10 years - Apply here 

• Marketing Executive - Avās - Mumbai - 1-3 years - Email [email protected] (I have the JD for this one on messages, so ping me if you are interested in this, will share the JD on personal dm)

As always, I'd love your thoughts on this edition.

Have an amazing week ahead! ✨

Your marketer friend,

Mita ✌🏽