content strategy

09/24/2014

20 Sure-Fire Signs You’re a Content Marketer

This past weekend I was out to dinner with some friends when the topic of work came up. After explaining a typical day in the life of a content marketer, my non-marketing friend turned to me and said “Oh, so you write for a living?” Immediately two thoughts came to mind: I need to get smarter friends and I should blog about this exact moment.

Content marketers are a rare breed in that we’re a fourth journalist, two-thirds marketer, one-tenth planner, one-eighth creative thinkers… Did I get the math right? I didn’t say we were mathematicians. We possess the traits of a journalist in that we’re inherently curious and passionate about writing, but we’re also strategic thinkers and metrics-driven like marketers and planners. Continue reading “20 Sure-Fire Signs You’re a Content Marketer”

09/18/2014

Employee Spotlight: Five Minutes with Managing Content Producer, Allison Boccamazzo

Organized, personable and diligent are three words that best describe Content Boost’s Managing Content Producer, Allison Boccamazzo. If you see a bunch of to-do lists on a desk you know Allison is not far.

As a former TMC Web Editor, Allison was welcomed into the CB family as one its very first Content Producers. Shortly after, she was promoted to Managing Content Producer in which she’s now responsible for managing CB’s team of (vivacious) editors. Continue reading “Employee Spotlight: Five Minutes with Managing Content Producer, Allison Boccamazzo”

09/10/2014

A Look Back at Day One of CMWorld

Content Marketing World (CMWorld) officially kicked off today in style, with no shortage of orange apparel, cutting-edge keynote addresses, standing room only breakout sessions, and orange-themed finger food.

As a second-year participant, there were iconic moments that kept me on my feet all day. Specifically, I couldn’t wait to see Joe Pulizzi’s latest orange suit (it did not disappoint); I eagerly—err maybe aggressively—pushed my way through the throngs of people to get first row seats at the coveted breakout sessions; and I relished each and every networking event. Who knew you could so easily talk content strategy while grabbing grub at food trucks?

Continue reading “A Look Back at Day One of CMWorld”

09/08/2014

Content Creation: A Marketer’s Double-Edged Sword

We often come to the realization that sometimes our greatest strengths or supports can become our biggest setbacks. For example, someone who is a perfectionist can tap into that Type-A drive to execute a number of initiatives; but that unending search for betterment can also handicap progress.

Content creation is just as confusing. While marketers know that content creation, especially in the form of SEO-driven pieces, is perhaps their most effective marketing tactic today it can also prove especially frustrating. In fact, according to a recent study from Ascend2, which polled 270 B2B marketing professionals around the world, almost 60 percent identified content creation as their most effective strategy. But still, 54 percent reported that it is an extremely difficult tactic to execute well.

Continue reading “Content Creation: A Marketer’s Double-Edged Sword”

05/02/2014

The Beauty of Content Marketing? Everybody has a Story to Tell

Before I entered the wonderful world of content marketing, I worked for Golf Digest Magazine, perhaps the most prestigious golf publication in the world. As a golf-lover, it was a job I enjoyed thoroughly and it was a job that was also highly educational.

Story

Perhaps the most surprising and significant lesson I learned during that time was how important it is for amateur players to play with equipment custom fitted to their swing specifications. Many weekend hackers mistakenly believe that custom clubs are only beneficial for professionals when, in fact, nothing could be further from the truth.

Continue reading “The Beauty of Content Marketing? Everybody has a Story to Tell”

12/11/2013

Three Ways to Mix Up Your Content Marketing Strategy in 2014

Let’s face it; creating and disseminating custom, attention-grabbing content can be difficult, especially if don’t have a comprehensive content marketing strategy in place. Failing to implement a fool-proof plan can significantly hinder the success of your efforts, as evidenced in a recent report titled “ B2B Content Marketing 2014 Benchmarks, Budgets & Trends North America” by the Content Marketing Institute and MarketingProfs. In fact, 84 percent of marketers who say they are ineffective at content marketing said they have no documented strategy.

As 2013 quickly comes to a close, now is the perfect time to re-evaluate your current content strategy (or lack thereof) to get on the right track for 2014. Below are three tips and tricks to building a stronger content marketing strategy. Continue reading “Three Ways to Mix Up Your Content Marketing Strategy in 2014”

10/15/2013

How to Build Your Content Marketing A-Team

Assembling a department of workhorses who bring out the best in each other—and possess an uncanny ability to work cohesively as well as independently—is certainly no small feat. But those are exactly the ingredients you need to create your content marketing A-Team because anything less will be of grave disservice to your brand and its messaging. So how do you even begin putting together your industry-leading content marketing team? By making sure you have the following team members on board:

Continue reading “How to Build Your Content Marketing A-Team”

09/11/2013

Are You the Best in Your Field at Content Marketing?

It might have been one of the last breakout sessions of the day at Content Marketing World, but Vice President of Strategy and Marketing for Edison Research Tom Webster certainly knew how to get a crowd going—even with a cocktail-laden happy hour just minutes away.

That’s because Webster started his session, titled “What’s Wrong with My Content Creation Strategy” by asking a really simple question to audience members.

“Is your content audience focused?”

Continue reading “Are You the Best in Your Field at Content Marketing?”