This weekend, I looked at the calendar and realized it’s been a year since launching Cyber PMM! A year filled with experiments, challenges, and growth. I promised myself I’d give it a year, and here we are. Let’s look back together on what I’ve learned and talk about what’s next.
1. Lessons from Building Cyber PMM
- Content Creation is Tough
I’ve explored nearly every format: long-form videos, carousels, memes, Substack posts, and more. Surprisingly, my most successful content wasn’t always the most time-consuming. Authentic, humorous insights tend to resonate most. It’s about finding the balance between authenticity and value. - Quality First
Early on, I tried a high-output, AI-assisted content production process. But quantity sometimes diluted quality, and I realized that trust and consistency matter more. A fast pace can compromise a creator’s ability to vet content and maintain a strong voice. I am throwing away the calendar and just posting when inspiration strikes moving forward. - Interviews are Gold
I’ve found that engaging in genuine conversations with experts is one of the best ways to add value. This is why I’m planning to do more interviews through the Cyber PMM podcast and YouTube channel—there’s something uniquely powerful about real human connection in content especially when content is growing exponentially. - Connections Matter
By putting myself out there, I’ve connected with many new people who, in turn, have become sources of inspiration and insight. These connections not only enrich my understanding of the field but also create a valuable community around Cyber PMM. - Frameworks Matter
One of the most rewarding aspects has been building practical frameworks for PMMs. These tools offer clarity and are designed for anyone in our field to use instantly. Expect more of these resources in the future to support PMMs on the job and in practice.
2. Lessons from Practicing as a Cyber PMM
I’ve also learned a ton “on the job” as a Cyber PMM. The function seems to be changing, though I can’t quite put my finger on how. I want to think more over this next year about why our function matters, what role we really play, and how to put a science around more of more of what we do.
- We Need to Do Better at Thinking in Systems
I believe PMMs need to fit into broader organizational systems, and stop trying to put ourselves at the center of them. All too often, PMM teams are disconnected from the broader market, industry, organization, company, or marketing team. It’s about aligning with larger missions and supporting a collaborative structure, which ultimately improves impact and reduces the siloed nature of PMM work. - PMM Leaders Should Build a Team of Teams
Inspired by the recent book Team of Teams by General Stanley McChrystal, I see a need for PMM teams to interlock more effectively with others across an organization. The current meeting-heavy, siloed setup needs a reset to avoid burnout and improve collaboration across the board. - Reaching the AI Tipping Point
Cyber PMMs are being increasingly asked to do more with less. We’re seeing industry-wide mass layoffs, while demands for business growth continue. With AI becoming an integral part of every market and function, we have to start applying it meaningfully on our job to meet these new challenges. However I see a disconnect between the technical capacity AI brings and the willingness of marketing leaders to embrace it. Certain functions may no longer be needed in the near future – and I’ll be the first to outsource myself out of a job if a machine can do it – but this requires scientific testing first. - PMM Software Still Doesn’t Exist—Why?
I’m amazed at the lack of software dedicated to support product marketing, especially in this era of AI-supported development (isn’t coding easier now?). There’s a real opportunity here, and while I’ve seen some attempts, PMMs are still largely reliant on basic apps like those within Google Workspace and MS Office. Nearly every other function has a specialized SaaS tool by now – can you imagine Finance without Concur or HR without Workday? Why is Marketing so far behind? If the market doesn’t invent something soon, I might just launch something with an AI co-pilot to write the code for me.
3. Managing the Chaos: Tools I’ve Used and Channels Created
- Website at cyberpmm.com
Built with WordPress and Namecheap, this site is my central repository for all content. Having a home base for Cyber PMM helps consolidate everything in one place and serves as the brand’s primary archive. - LinkedIn Page
The Cyber PMM LinkedIn page is my main hub for posts and interactions with the community. It lets me focus exclusively on content relevant to PMMs in cybersecurity, helping build a dedicated audience. - LinkedIn Newsletter
The newsletter has now grown to ~300 subscribers, far outperforming other channels. I highly recommend LinkedIn for anyone considering a newsletter; it’s proven far more effective than Substack in reaching and engaging my audience. - Substack Newsletter
While Substack offers a polished UI and the option for paid content, it’s been harder to grow an audience here. I’m only at 30 subscribers versus 300 on LinkedIn. There’s definitely a lesson here about audience reach and platform fit. - YouTube Channel
YouTube is a massive platform with huge potential, though it tends to favor “catchy” content. While my posts aren’t headline-grabbing, I’ve set up a Podcast playlist within my channel to organize and share video interviews with industry experts. This helps with visibility and accessibility for longer video content. - X (formerly Twitter)
I repost Cyber PMM content on X, but growth here has been slow. The platform isn’t yielding as much engagement, so I’m re-evaluating how best to approach it.
Well, that’s it! Reflecting on the past year, tools and channels has been enlightening, and I’m looking forward to growing Cyber PMM and revisiting what I’ve learned next year. Please reach out if any questions by finding Cyber PMM on LinkedIn and dropping in a comment.
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