Product Marketing vs. Product Manager
1. I’ve done some of my own research but can anyone break down the key differences in terms of deliverables for a Product Manager vs Product Marketer 2. Does one *need* to have a technical background to be successful in either of the roles? 3. Are there any entry level/rotational programs in FAANG in either role and if so what should I be searching for? (ex: Product Associate)
Here we go again another product strategy fluff trying to get into tech. Lol
1) There's overlap, and PMs often wear a PMM hat in smaller orgs, but generally PMs set product direction and coordinate product creation, while PMMs deal with go-to-market (market positioning, customer communication, competitor analysis, collateral for sales/marketing, etc) 2) No, but it helps a lot for most PM roles. 3) Yes - most have an APM equivalent, and Google recently started an APMM program as well.
Do APM or APMM roles require any work experience as a PM or related or a technical person like a software engineer could apply and get those roles?
They don't generally require PM experience, but in the past they've primarily been for new grads. Not sure if that's still the case.
1. There is a lot of overlap. An over simplified model: PMs build and PMMs sell. PMs work closer with Eng. PMMs work closer with Sales. (This is from my exp in enterprise software and may vary with B2C). 2. You don’t *need* to have a technical background. But it sure as hell helps. Most enterprise software companies highly value a technical degree when hiring for either role. PMs need to be technical enough to convince Eng to build. PMMs need to be technical enough to convince customers to buy. Therefore easier to be a PMM without tech background. I know of a few PMMs with not tech background who came from finance, consulting, and CPG. You just need to prove this level of technical aptitude extremely clearly if you don’t have a tech background.
2. Yes, for product manager. APIs, Sharding, web sockets aren’t the strategy fluff you’re used to.