Strategic writing that drives toward a desired outcome should be every marketer’s goal. Whether you are looking for ideas to build out your editorial calendar or actually writing, taking some extra time to ask yourself a few critical questions can mean the difference between ‘OK’ content and crafting material that actually drives positive business outcomes.
The Content Quickie: How to Write Quickly yet Strategically
We’ve all been there before: You look at your schedule and immediately feel overwhelmed by the myriad of impending calls, reminders and meetings, but you need to get an article done by the end of the day in order to make its deadline.
“Today is looking like one of those days,” you think as you ease into your chair, obligatory cup of coffee in hand. So…what do you do?
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TurboTax Mardi Gras Campaign Wins Content Marketing Beads
Mardi Gras—otherwise known for general revelry and perhaps some poor decision making—at its core is a jovial, carnival-themed celebration of color and culture. It’s a bit surprising then that TurboTax, a color-in-the-lines company, capitalized on both ends of Mardi Gras’ reputation in order to present a killer content marketing campaign this February. Continue reading “TurboTax Mardi Gras Campaign Wins Content Marketing Beads”
The Future is Bright in 2015 For Content Marketers
Am I the only crazy marketer out there who was actually dying to get back to work during the recent holiday season? Call me what you will but without schedules, deadlines and creative dialogue daily I get antsy. And if I have nowhere to be (like a dreamy beach vacation), I crave work.
I know you are trudging through a slew of emails and memos this week and that the last thing you need is another lengthy, information-laden message.
So I won’t keep you long; I promise.
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Under Armour’s ‘I Will What I Want’ Campaign: Please Sir, I Want Some More
“You lack the right feet, Achilles tendons, turnout, torso length and bust.”
“You have the wrong body for ballet.”
Confused with what I am talking about? Then check out the incredible video below.
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3 Ways to Keep Your Content Marketing Strategy on Track During the Holidays
The holiday season is the most wonderful time of the year—unless you’re a content marketer. For most, the month of December is spent shopping for gifts, attending holiday parties and hitting the slopes. But for content marketers, the holiday season is spent wrapping up end of year projects, drafting content and launching last-minute campaigns—all while short staffed.
Let’s face it: managing your content marketing strategy is stressful enough without having to deal with all of the distractions the holiday season brings. To avoid feeling overwhelmed and ensure your strategy continues to run smoothly, here are some helpful tips to consider: Continue reading “3 Ways to Keep Your Content Marketing Strategy on Track During the Holidays”
Are You New to Content Marketing? Stop By Our Content Marketing Crash Course, Dec. 4th
Chances are you’ve heard or read about the term “content marketing.” After all, almost every major news publication from Forbes to The Huffington Post has written about it and companies are increasingly investing in it. According to research from the Content Marketing Institute, 46 percent of businesses plan to increase their spend on content marketing, while 32 percent have already made a commitment to keep their budgets the same.
But what exactly is content marketing and how does it work? Continue reading “Are You New to Content Marketing? Stop By Our Content Marketing Crash Course, Dec. 4th”
What ‘Interstellar’ Taught Me About Content Strategy
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.
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What My Wedding Can Teach You About Content Marketing
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.
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The Going’s Getting Tougher for Content Marketers
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”