Pacing Yourself with HubSpot Product Updates
When I signed up for my very first long running event, I wasn’t sure where to begin. Fortunately I had friends and family that helped me discover a great way to train and be ready for race day. I found regimens and programs that would help me pace myself to enjoy the race, instead of dreading it.
HubSpot product updates can be similar. With upgrades and changes in the hundreds each year this is a marathon, not a sprint. Yet, if you pace yourself, you can be successful every time you enter your portal. Join me on my training tips and schedule!
A HubSpot Updates Regimen
There are countless ways to train, but this is my personal regimen for keeping up with HubSpot Product Updates. While many resources are available, these are the ones I’ve found most effective to ensure I’m always ready to race with the best. It's a continuous learning process, akin to training for a marathon rather than a quick sprint.
While the resources and strategies for staying ahead are plentiful, I've developed my own personal regimen that I find particularly effective in keeping pace with the latest developments.This regimen includes a combination of official HubSpot resources, community engagement, and self-directed learning. Using the following helps ensure that I'm always prepared to leverage the full potential of the HubSpot platform and deliver the best possible results for my clients:
1. Product Updates within the portal
Go to your account, click on your account name in the upper right corner, on the dropdown you will see “Product Updates”:
-
- “New to you”
- “Recommended”
- “Live”
- “Beta”
- and more
As you click on each update, you will be shown a clear explanation of what it is, why it matters, how it works, and who gets it. Everything listed right at your fingertips! Spend some time reviewing this regularly and you will never miss a beat. I look at this weekly so it's easier to see what's new.
2. HubSpot Spotlight
These semi-annual editions help you see all the releases in one spot for the previous six months. And, what’s great is that they sort it out by each hub so you can look for things specific to you. I also like the bright, marketing graphics. This makes it appealing and enjoyable to review.
3. What’s New page
Similar to the Spotlight, this page includes a monthly blog about all of the product updates for that month. And as you scroll through, you will find New Features & Product Roadmaps, sorted by each hub, to gain more insight. There’s even a button for you to share your idea for the next great HubSpot feature! I recommend checking out this page on a monthly basis.
4. LinkedIn Group
HubSpot Tips & Tricks - D’Ana Guiloff, Adoption Advocate & HubSpot Supered Admin, and Kyle Jepson, HubSpot Evangelist and content producer for HubSpot Academy, keep things hopping with many posts on all the new things happening. Kyle’s Orange Hat Alerts tell me that the post is giving me huge news! And don’t miss the Monday Morning Briefings where Kyle, joined by Max Cohen, Chief Evangelist of the Partner Program and former HubSpot Solutions Engineer, reviews the week’s updates in a fun and interesting way. Think of your favorite news or sportscasters giving info in an entertaining way. That’s these two - only it’s dedicated to HubSpot updates!
5. HubSpot User Groups
Also known as HUG, this is where the entire HubSpot community gathers. There are many different groups that are based on similar interests, product-use, or location. Check out the directory, join what appeals to you, or even apply to lead a HUG group. You will then be connected to users like you and learn from experts. My personal favorite: The HubSpot Admin HUG. This group offers weekly webinars, posted on their YouTube channel. Enjoy a deep dive into some of the latest products that HubSpot is putting out. Also, our own Kolby Hanson, and Philip Levinson, with Mobileforce Software, organized the AI & Automation in Sales and Marketing HUG. A great way to learn the best ways to implement AI and automations in HubSpot.
The HubSpot Product Training Schedule
I know, those five resources listed could be overwhelming and there are plenty of others out there. But just like training for a marathon, you don’t go out and run 26.2 miles on your first day. So, create a schedule for yourself. Block time on your calendar. Start out slow and easy. Maybe just watch one webinar in the week. Or, set aside 30 minutes for reviewing the Product updates tab in your portal every Tuesday. Choose those things that you enjoy and make it fun!
Also, make sure you are actually implementing and practicing with these new tools. Start using updates as soon as possible to get to know it. Concerned about how updates might impact your current portal? No worries! I use my own demo account to test new features, and you can do the same. You might even consider setting up a sandbox account for your portal, allowing you to experiment with new tools risk-free—without the fear of disrupting your existing setup.
One important step: look for ways to share what you have learned. When we teach and talk about what we know, it becomes more ingrained and part of us. Try making a post on LinkedIn, meet up with a coworker, create an internal webinar, or write a blog. I always get back so much more than I give and my knowledge becomes solidified when I give to others!
HubSpot Product Updates Race Day
Unlike a marathon, there’s not a single target date for using the new features of HubSpot. Race day and the finish line is each and every day you utilize the portal in a better way! As you employ the resources and methods listed, create a training schedule, implement the updates, and share what you know, you will be well on your way and able to keep up with HubSpot’s product updates. Better yet, you will feel confident and have fun doing it. So get ready, get set, go!
