Free People is a women’s fashion retailer, which for the most part appears to be run by a group of bohemian flower children. But, don’t be fooled by the company’s laid back demeanor and whimsical appearance as it packs a powerful punch when it comes to content marketing. Marketers and brands alike have much to learn from Free People’s use of multichannel marketing. Here are some different mediums they use to show off their creative strategy: Continue reading “Free People: Delicate Fashionistas, Hardcore Content Marketing Strategists”
3 Marketing Takeaways from ‘Serial’
It all started on Thanksgiving Eve. A colleague had recommended the “Serial” podcast to me a couple days prior, and while rolling my arancini for the next day’s Thanksgiving dinner, I decided to give it a try. I’ve never been a big fan of podcasts, but 15 minutes in and I was hooked. Two days later I was all caught up on the nine episodes that had been released at the time. Is binge listening to podcasts going to be the new “it” term? Continue reading “3 Marketing Takeaways from ‘Serial’”
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”
20 Most Unforgettable Quotes from CMWorld 2014
This past week, over 2,500 marketing and business leaders from over 50 countries descended into Cleveland for Content Marketing World 2014 for four days of information-laden educational sessions, keynotes and workshops, highlighting everything from content creation to social media to data-driven ROI.
I was lucky enough to sit in on some incredible sessions lead by today’s top influences, including Joe Pulizzi, Andrew Davis, Jay Baer, and Ann Hadley to name a few (Yes, I sadly had to leave to before Kevin Spacey’s closing keynote to catch my plane, but don’t worry, I stalked Twitter for his key sentiments!). Having listened to dozens of experts over the years, I’ve heard some pretty inspirational quotes and received some outstanding advice, but there’s something about CMWorld 2014 that reignited my “marketing fire.”
So I thought I would share with you 20 of the most unforgettable quotes from this year’s show in hopes of inspiring you: Continue reading “20 Most Unforgettable Quotes from CMWorld 2014”
Tips for Staying in the Marketing Moment
A lot goes into successful content marketing. Meticulous planning, creativity, timing and an intimate knowledge of your brand message are all critical ingredients that together help marketers create engaging, effective content.
One concept marketers—me included—often overlook, however, is the importance of staying present and connected to the moment and task immediately ahead. Although it may seem like a wacky, Zen-like precept, staying firmly in the moment can mean the difference between success and failure.
Cleveland Here We Come! Content Boost Heads to Content Marketing World 2014
This week, marketing professionals, business leaders and content creators from around the country will make their way to Cleveland for Content Marketing World (CMWorld) 2014. Taking place September 8-11, CMWorld is the biggest content marketing event of the tradeshow season—and for the second year in a row Content Boost will be on-site to take part in the festivities. Continue reading “Cleveland Here We Come! Content Boost Heads to Content Marketing World 2014”
Three Tips Marketers Can Learn from Fantasy Football
It’s that time of year again as friends and enemies gather around the draft table for yet another Fantasy Football season, where fans virtually pick NFL players and compete for a championship as pretend general managers. Continue reading “Three Tips Marketers Can Learn from Fantasy Football”
Pros and Cons of Personalized Marketing: Take a Tip From Coke
Personalized marketing is one way to attract consumers to your brand—and Coke has grabbed a hold of the concept fairly literally with its latest marketing campaign. The beverage company has labeled bottles of its famous confectionary drink with 250 of the most popular names of today’s teens and millennials. The campaign, which hit U.S. shores in June, after getting its start in Australia in 2012, is titled “Share a Coke.” Continue reading “Pros and Cons of Personalized Marketing: Take a Tip From Coke”
Three Marketing Lessons I Learned From My Favorite Designer
Anyone who knows me knows that I have a shopping addiction. Not an OMG-I’m-$100,000-in-debt kind of addiction, but a “healthy” one in that my closet is frightfully full of clothes (most with the tags still on). While I have a long list of designers that I love—Marc Jacobs, J.Crew, Vince … the list goes on—my favorite has to be Rachel Zoe. Continue reading “Three Marketing Lessons I Learned From My Favorite Designer”
What Marketers Can Learn From Food Blogs
On the nights when I don’t have plans with friends, I find myself searching for new food recipes online to make for my family. I’m no Top Chef, but I know my way around the kitchen. While reading my favorite food blog “Not Without Salt,” I got thinking: marketers can learn a lot from food blogs. Not only are they instructional, informative and easy to read, but they’re entertaining and engaging— all things that we as marketers should keep in mind while blogging.