After months of anticipation, I finally had the chance to see the blockbuster “Interstellar” last week. The film is a Sci-Fi adventure, directed by Christopher Nolan starring Matthew McConaughey and Anne Hathaway, which explores the possibilities for deep space travel and the mysteries of our physical universe.
Continue reading “What ‘Interstellar’ Taught Me About Content Strategy”
Right around the time Content Boost started holding content marketing breakouts, keynotes and panels at various trade shows—including our very own ITEXPO events—we got asked the same question by many attendees: do we ever hold seminars or training courses throughout the year? The short answer was no, but the long answer was… not yet.
Quickly, we started to pick up on a very common trend in the industry: people did not want to have to wait until conferences or trade shows to receive best-in-class content marketing training. Perhaps more importantly, they didn’t want to have to pay hundreds and hundreds of dollars for one-off seminars. Instead, they wanted a way to stay current with the latest industry trends and strategies for improving upon their existing marketing efforts.
Continue reading “Will We See You at Our Dec. Content Marketing Crash Course?”
There’s a marketing lesson to be learned in most situations, as proven by the bizarre way the ‘Alex from Target’ episode is unfolding.
Continue reading “The Truly Odd Marketing Story Behind ‘Alex from Target’”
You’ve just spent weeks creating the best piece of content that’s ever been written. The headline is insanely witty, the graphics are great, the content is rich and you’re 100 percent sure that it’s going to go viral.
But it doesn’t…sigh.
Unfortunately, we all know how this feels—it stinks (to put it nicely). You put your blood, sweat and tears into creating an awesome piece of content only to have it fall flat. So, what gives? Well, it may be due to the fact that your content is lacking the following three things: Continue reading “Three Reasons Why Your Content Isn’t Going Viral”
Once again, Halloween has come and gone. Are you feeling down about having to wait a whole year to dress up as a zombie or Walter White? I don’t blame you. But here’s a consolation: Today is National Sandwich Day in America. In my opinion, this is the most underrated holiday in the world and it’s a cause for celebration.
Here’s what I love about sandwiches, perhaps more than any other food, and how it relates to content marketing:
They’re practical: You can eat a sandwich whether you’re on-the-go or at home. Everything you need can be placed neatly in between two pieces of bread (or in a wrap, if you prefer).
Your content should work the same way. Remember that you’re not trying to serve your readers a multi-course “meal” of content. Craft articles that are long enough to keep your readers satisfied, yet concise enough to be read on a mobile device. Your goal is to inform and entertain your readers, above all else. Continue reading “Content Marketers: Stop What You’re Doing and Go Eat a Sandwich”
I first got the chance to hear Content Marketing Institute (CMI) founder—and content marketing evangelist—Joe Pulizzi speak two years ago at CMWorld. I remember taking note of how everyone’s eyes lit up when he took the stage, of attendees furiously trying to jot down every content marketing tidbit he shared, and of the electricity in the air—which was surpassed only by Joe’s own magnetism.
So, imagine my excitement when I was able to lock down some time with this renowned marketing guru to get his 2 cents on the latest happenings in the content marketing space (no Joe, I am not trying to butter you up!). After all, any insight I can gain from other industry thought leaders is a gift I can bring back to our clients. Our job at Content Boost is simple: We will always be your eyes and ears in the content marketing space, bringing any insight, tools, techniques and tactics to you so that together we can implement them in your organization.
Therefore, a number of the questions I asked Joe are one’s you ask me every day. Here’s a look at some of the highlights of our conversation:
Continue reading “Q&A With Joe Pulizzi: Pulling Back the Curtain on Content Marketing”
Ferrari is making a new car, and I won’t be driving it.
You won’t be, either. And most likely, neither will that super rich guy you know. Or even the blue-blooded friend who comes from old money.
Know how I know that? The Italian-based luxury car manufacturer recently announced that it’s only manufacturing six Ferrari Sergios.
And if that wasn’t exclusive enough, you can’t just up and decide to buy one, even if you win the lottery. You have to be invited.
Continue reading “With the Sergio, Ferrari Just Got That Much More Exclusive”
On October 11th of this year, I became a married man. The day was everything I had hoped for and more, as I was able to share the occasion with all of the people most important to me—and be the center of attention for an entire day.
Of course, like most other weddings, there were a few hiccups on the big day. For instance, I neglected to include myself in a head count, so it was a squeeze to get nine people in an eight-person limo to ride to the venue. At the end of the night, one of the buses taking people back to the hotel where out-of-town guests were staying departed only half full, forcing a few folks to call taxis.
Continue reading “What My Wedding Can Teach You About Content Marketing”
It’s almost time to update our recent compilation of content marketing statistics from around the Web—which means I’ve been busy scanning the most recent reports looking for new and relevant information to include in our autumn edition.
It was while I was browsing through the Content Marketing Institute’s (CMI) fifth annual Benchmark Report that I noticed something interesting. Despite the fact that content marketing is well past its nascent stage, content marketers are still getting caught up with the same challenges year-over-year, which is cause for concern.
Consider the fact that in 2013, CMI reported that 52 percent of marketers were struggling to produce the kind of content that engages. This number dipped to 47 percent last year, which was an improvement. But this year, it increased to 54 percent. The same can be said for overcoming the challenge of producing a variety of content, which dropped last year, but is now more of an issue than it was in 2013, as 42 percent of marketers are struggling in this regard.
By and large, the most startling statistic is the fact that last year, only 33 percent of marketers reported that measuring content effectiveness was a top challenge. But according to the 2015 report, this is now a problem for 49 percent of marketers.
It’s worth it to stop and ask whether your organization is actually improving annually, or if it’s merely dragging its feet. If your organization is experiencing the same issues year after year, it’s okay to ask for help. Continue reading “The Going’s Getting Tougher for Content Marketers”
I’ve just returned from a two-and-a-half week belated honeymoon to Europe (it’s hard to believe I was in Paris Monday and am somehow in Connecticut today). I’m sure you’re thinking that what I took away from the trip was an amazing dinner cruise on the Seine in Paris, an exhausting but incredible visit to Vatican City in Rome and more pasta and pizza than I can count.
And that’s all true.
But I’ve also come back refreshed, invigorated and bustling with new content marketing ideas. Yes, let’s face it, as a content marketer we can never turn it off, even when we are traipsing across Rome, Florence, the Italian Riviera and Paris.
Continue reading “Three Things A Trip to Europe Taught Me About Content Marketing”
