From Engineer to Product Marketing Leader: Nitin Karthik’s Journey of Reinvention

How do you pivot your career, build a personal brand, and turn your knowledge into a bestselling book—all while working a full-time job?

In this episode, I sit down with Nitin Karthik, a product marketing leader, content creator, and author of Product Marketing Wisdom. His career path has taken him from software engineering to product marketing, from corporate roles to building his personal brand, and ultimately to writing a book based on 100+ expert interviews.

We discuss:
✅ How Nitin transitioned from engineering to marketing (and how to pivot your own career)
✅ The power of compounding in personal branding—why consistency beats overnight success
✅ How to overcome imposter syndrome and start sharing your ideas online
✅ The "trading up" networking strategy—how to build relationships with high-profile people
✅ How Nitin wrote and launched an Amazon bestselling book in just two months
✅ Why helping others is the best way to grow—his unique book launch strategy proves it

This episode is a must-listen if:

• You’re considering a career pivot and want to learn from someone who’s done it successfully
• You’re struggling with imposter syndrome and self-doubt about building your personal brand
• You want to grow your network and create meaningful opportunities in your industry
• You’re curious about the process of writing and launching a book from scratch

Timestamps:
00:00 – Introduction
02:30 – Nitin’s global journey (India → Africa → USA)
04:55 – From software engineering to marketing: How he made the switch
09:40 – Why personal branding is more important than ever
14:00 – Overcoming imposter syndrome and self-doubt
20:15 – The strategy behind networking and making meaningful connections
28:20 – Choosing the right platform for your content
38:40 – How data and analytics help improve your brand growth
45:30 – Writing a book in 2 months: Lessons from Nitin’s Amazon Bestseller
52:50 – The power of community: How helping others helps you

👉 Listen to the full conversation for real, actionable advice on personal branding, networking, and career growth!

📢 Connect with Nitin Karthik:
🔗 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nitinkartik/
📖 His Book: ProductMarketingWisdom.com

Summary

Aya Tange shares her experiences and insights on cultural diversity, transitioning from big tech to startups, and developing presentation skills. She discusses the benefits and challenges of navigating different cultures and the importance of keeping an open mind. Aya also highlights the value of rotation programs in the tech industry and provides tips for effective public speaking. She emphasizes the importance of getting to know the audience, practicing, and delivering content in a conversational and relatable manner. Finally, Aya shares her decision-making principles, which involve planning for the future and pursuing personal goals. In this conversation, Aya Tange discusses her experiences working internationally and the value of seeking international experience. She also shares insights on the differences between big tech companies and startups, and the importance of reflecting on one's career path. Aya emphasizes the significance of company culture and the human aspect when making job decisions. She provides insights into the role of product marketing and the differences between inbound and outbound product marketing. Aya also shares her favorite podcasts and the benefits of consuming podcast content.

Takeaways

Cultural diversity provides valuable perspectives and insights, but it also requires an open mind and adaptability to navigate different cultures.
Rotation programs in the tech industry offer opportunities for career development and exploration of different roles and teams.
Effective public speaking involves getting to know the audience, practicing, and delivering content in a conversational and relatable manner.
When making decisions, it is important to plan for the future and pursue personal goals. Seeking international experience can be valuable for personal and professional growth.
Working for not-so-recognizable brands can provide unique learning opportunities that big companies may not offer.
When considering job opportunities, it's important to assess both the professional and cultural aspects.
Reflecting on one's career path regularly can help make informed decisions and progress in one's career.
Product marketing can take different forms depending on the company, and it's important to understand the specific role and responsibilities.
Company culture and the people you work with are crucial factors to consider when evaluating job opportunities.
Podcasts can be a valuable source of learning and entertainment, providing insights from successful individuals and diverse perspectives.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Background
02:20 Benefits and Challenges of Cultural Diversity
06:05 Challenges of Navigating Different Cultures
08:20 Transition from Big Tech to Startups
13:34 Opportunities in Rotation Programs
20:20 Tips for Effective Public Speaking
24:40 Decision-Making Principles
26:33 Seeking International Experience
28:08 Learning from Not-So-Recognizable Brands
32:35 Pros and Cons of Chasing Big Names
36:52 Considering Cultural Aspects in Career Decisions
37:24 Assessing the Human Aspect of Job Decisions
42:28 Defining Product Marketing
45:25 Differences in Product Marketing Across Regions
47:53 The Importance of Company Culture in Product Marketing
48:24 The Power of Podcasts
51:36 Recommended Podcasts

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Devon, the founder and managing partner of Fluvio, shares his background and journey in product marketing consulting. He discusses the appeal of Denver as an outdoor destination and a livable city. Devon explains how his passion for writing and curiosity have contributed to his success as an entrepreneur. He also emphasizes the importance of principles, communication, and dedication in building a business. Devon draws parallels between his athletic background and the skills required in business. He concludes by discussing the hiring criteria and the significance of soft skills in his team. In this conversation, Devon O'Rourke, the Founder and Managing Partner of Fluvio, discusses his approach to interviewing candidates and the importance of aligning their experiences with the company's leadership principles. He emphasizes the need for candidates to research the company thoroughly and demonstrate their deep interest in the role. Devon also explains the go-to-market model and the common mistakes companies make in implementing it. He highlights the importance of assessing go-to-market motion and offers resources for companies to do so. Additionally, Devon introduces Fluvio Launchpad, a service that helps companies hire product marketers. He concludes by discussing the concept of embracing erosion and the inspiration behind his podcast, Embracing Erosion.

Takeaways:

Denver is a popular destination for outdoor sports and activities, making it an attractive place to live.
Passion for writing and curiosity are valuable skills for entrepreneurs.
Establishing principles and maintaining dedication are crucial for building a successful business.
Athletic experiences can provide valuable lessons and skills that translate to the business world. When interviewing candidates, it is important to align their experiences with the company's leadership principles.
Candidates should thoroughly research the company and demonstrate their deep interest in the role.
Companies often make mistakes in implementing their go-to-market model, such as not utilizing post-launch learnings.
Assessing go-to-market motion is crucial for companies to optimize their marketing and product strategies.
Fluvio Launchpad offers a contract-to-hire service to help companies fill product marketing roles.
Embracing change and adapting to new circumstances is essential for personal and professional growth.

“The best companies and the best people don’t shy away from change—they embrace it and take advantage of it. You might have to change your business model, your structure, even move away from your core product. The sooner you make that decision, the more likely you are to survive.”

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Background
00:23 Denver as an Outdoor Destination
01:01 Livable City and International Airport
01:37 Introduction and Background
04:42 Skills and Learnings for Entrepreneurship
06:03 Website Development and Copywriting
08:19 Building a Personal or Professional Website
09:23 Motivation for Starting a Business
09:51 Family Influence and Entrepreneurial Mentality
12:01 Identifying Opportunity in Product Marketing Consulting
13:12 Recognition as a Top Product Marketing Consultant
13:39 Advice for Aspiring Professionals
19:07 Lessons from Athletics in Business
23:23 Hiring Criteria and Soft Skills
24:57 Interviewing for Leadership Principles
26:25 Favorite Interview Questions
28:40 The Importance of Researching the Company
29:36 Go-to-Market Model and Mistakes
33:31 Assessing Go-to-Market Motion
34:45 Fluvio Launchpad
40:11 Career Transitions and Personal Growth
42:08 Definition and Relevance of Product Marketing
44:21 Embracing Erosion
47:09 The Embracing Erosion Podcast
50:07 Where to Find Devon O'Rourke

Say "Hi" to Devon:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/devon-o-rourke-54028b34/
https://www.fluviomarketing.com/

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