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#ContentWritingChat Recap: How to Implement Successful Livestreaming Into Your Content Marketing Strategy with Ross Brand

How To Implement Successful Livestreaming Into Your Content Marketing Strategy

Have you been using live video as part of your brand’s online strategy? If not, now is the time to jump on the bandwagon because it certainly isn’t going away! But if you’d like some tips to help you become a livestreaming master, we have everything you need to know right here! This week’s #ContentWritingChat is filled with valuable advice that’s worth reading before you hit that “Go Live” button. #ContentWritingChat Recap: How to Implement Successful Livestreaming Into Your Content Marketing Strategy with Ross Brand Welcome to #ContentWritingChat! ?? Our guest host this week is @iRossBrand! He’s joining us to share some tips and tricks to take our livestreaming skills to the next level. If you’re joining us today, say hi! pic.twitter.com/Y7zRsOivcW — Express Writers (@ExpWriters) March 20, 2018 Our guest host this week was Ross Brand. He’s behind the site, Livestream Universe, which is all about helping businesses leverage the power of livestreaming. Q1: Why is livestreaming a valuable component of a content strategy? If you’re not convinced that livestreaming is worth your attention, you’ll start thinking otherwise after reading these responses! We asked everyone to share why they think it plays such a big role in their overall content strategy. Here’s what a few chat participants said: A1-1) #Livestreaming builds the know, like and trust factor with potential customers faster than other forms of communication. It’s enables a two-way conversation via the live chat or even bringing people on camera. #contentwritingchat — Ross Brand (@iRossBrand) March 20, 2018 A1-2) #Livestreaming viewers are able to get a sense of who you are, what it’d be like to work with you, your knowledge, your passion for what you do, how you react to questions and issues related to your business in real time. #contentwritingchat — Ross Brand (@iRossBrand) March 20, 2018 As Ross pointed out, live video is a great way to build the Know, Like, and Trust Factor with your audience. It allows them to get to know you better and see what you’re all about. A1) Livestreaming is awesome because it adds a very human element to the content. As content marketers, we know that being human is essential to reach your audience. Livestreaming is as human as it gets b/c there’s no editing.#ContentWritingChat pic.twitter.com/iABcJie0m5 — Jason Schemmel – Podcaster. Speaker. #GSDChat?️ (@JasonSchemmel) March 20, 2018 Jason said live videos can add a human element to your content. It’s raw, unedited footage and your viewers can relate to what they see since they’re getting the real you. A1: Livestreams help brands humanize their company in the eyes of the consumer. You’re removing any element of editing and giving them that raw, unaltered footage that strengthens your credibility and maximizes your transparency. #ContentWritingChat — Maria Marchewka (@_MariaMarchewka) March 20, 2018 Maria also agrees that livestreaming humanizes a brand. She also feels it strengthens your credibility and maximizes transparency. A1 It’s a window into your company, it’s a human connection – a great way to build a relationship with your audience #contentwritingchat — Iain G. Scott (@IainGScott) March 20, 2018 Iain said it gives people a window into your company. They’ll get to see what things are like behind-the-scenes. A1: People want to get to know the person behind your brand. Livestreaming allows them to see you in an authentic, personal way. #ContentWritingChat — Amanda Cross (@amandacrossco) March 20, 2018 As Amanda pointed out, people want to get to know the person behind the brand. And going live is a fantastic way to show people what you’re like! A1: It gives your audience a unique vantage point. With livestreams, they’re able to see the world through your lens which gives them the chance to become immersed in the experience. #ContentWritingChat — Flying Cork (@flyingcorkpgh) March 20, 2018 Live video also gives your audience a unique vantage point. A1. It allows you to connect in a more personal way with your customers, you gain immediate feedback from your followers, and these videos get so much traction even after the live event is over. #contentwritingchat — Doris Shadouh (@DShadouh) March 20, 2018 It’s all about helping you connect with your audience in a more personal way. A1: Each member of your audience is slightly different. Someone might not take in written content the way they would live stream. Live stream allows you to make sure you’re hitting everyone in your audience. #ContentWritingChat — Netvantage Marketing (@netvantage) March 20, 2018 Everyone in your audience is different! And as Lexie pointed out, some may really appreciate a live video because they consume content better that way. Q2: How does someone get started with livestreaming? What gear do you need? Now that you’re sold on the value of livestreaming, it’s time to get started with your first broadcast! But what exactly do you need before you can go live? Here are some tips: A2-1) The easiest way to get started is with your mobile phone. The device in your pocket has everything you need to livestream. When you first start #livestreaming, keep it short, introduce yourself & know what you want to talk about or write out an outline. #contentwritingchat — Ross Brand (@iRossBrand) March 20, 2018 A2-2) You don’t need to spend much on gear to get started #livestreaming. In any situation where there are other people on the same broadcast, it’s best to use iPhone ear buds or headphones to avoid feedback. Your ear buds have a mic built-in too. #contentwritingchat — Ross Brand (@iRossBrand) March 20, 2018 As Ross said, there’s no need to spend a bunch of money on livestreaming if you’re just starting out. You can absolutely use your smartphone to go live, as well as a pair of headphones with a built-in microphone. A2-3) For desktop & laptop #livevideo, you can get a decent #microphone & boom arm to hold it off your desk for $75. Dynamic mics are best b/c they pick up less room and background noise. The @samsontech Q2u is a great option at a … Read more

#ContentWritingChat Recap: Delivering Amazing Customer Service Using Social Media with Scott Ayres

Delivering Amazing Customer Service Using Social Media

Have you ever reached out to a brand via social media for a customer service request? Odds are, that answer is yes! Social media has become an easy way to connect with your favorite brands, ask questions, and seek help when you need it. However, that doesn’t mean all brands are handling their customer service requests effectively. In this week’s #ContentWritingChat, we talked all about delivery amazing customer service using social media. You’ll learn how to manage all the different platforms, how quickly you should be replying to inquiries, and so much more. Let’s dive into the recap! #ContentWritingChat Recap: Delivering Amazing Customer Service Using Social Media with Scott Ayres Join us for #ContentWritingChat on Tuesday, February 27th at 10 AM Central! We’ll be joined by Scott from @AgoraPulse and talking about using #SocialMedia to create an amazing customer service experience. ?? pic.twitter.com/7n98BiisQG — Express Writers (@ExpWriters) February 20, 2018 Our guest host this week was Scott Ayres. He’s part of the team over at AgoraPulse and he knows a thing or two about managing a social media presence. Scott shared some great tips with us that all brands can implement for handling customer service using social media. Q1: How has social media impacted customer service? There was a time when your only option was to call a brand on the phone and wait on hold until someone was able to serve you. These days, social media has changed the way we handle customer service requests as a brand. Here’s how: A1: Social Media has enabled customer service to be visible in a way it was not before. Brands now have to deal with things publicly. #ContentWritingChat — AgoraPulse (@AgoraPulse) February 27, 2018 As Scott pointed out, social media requires brands to deal with their customer service issues in the public eye. What was once handled privately, the world can now see. A1: Social Media has made it easier for complaints to spread, it demands companies to be present and active. #ContentWritingChat — AgoraPulse (@AgoraPulse) February 27, 2018 He also said that it’s easier for complaints about a company to spread now. If a customer starts talking negatively about your brand, others may pick up on it and start sharing the message. A1: Social Media has provided brands a real-time communication vessel for customer service without the need for the customer to sit on hold or wait for an email from a “contact us” form. It brought a human element into a digital medium #ContentWritingChat — Eddie Garrison #FacebookLive ? (@EddieGarrison) February 27, 2018 Social media has allowed brands and customers to connect with one another in real-time. Plus, it’s easier on the customer’s part since they no longer have to wait on hold or check their inboxes for a reply. A1: Social media has allowed customers to connect with brands instantly. It’s a chance for brands to show their human side and help solve any problems the customer may be having #contentwritingchat — Iain G. Scott (@IainGScott) February 27, 2018 Iain feels social media allows brands to not only solve their customers’ problems, but they also get to show their human side. A1: Social media has turned customer service into a 24/7 job. People are expecting their problems to be solved quickly. #ContentWritingChat pic.twitter.com/3KXDmvoAll — Netvantage Marketing (@netvantage) February 27, 2018 As Lexie pointed out, customer service using social media has become a 24/7 job. A1: It has become an extension. Consumers want immediate answers/responses to their requests and they turn to social in order to get this information from brands. #ContentWritingChat — Flying Cork (@flyingcorkpgh) February 27, 2018 Just keep in mind that customers expect immediate responses to their concerns now! A1 IMO it’s made companies step their game up. People have a voice and platforms to share their experiences. Mosty of the time bad experiences are the ones that go viral. #contentwritingchat https://t.co/96vR8p3ivy — Jade Alberts Consulting (@Jade_A_Consult) February 27, 2018 While customer service matters were typically handled privately in the past (via phone calls), social media has allowed customers to have a voice. Their complaints can be shared for the entire world to hear. Q2: How does customer service support on social media directly impact reputation management? It’s become increasingly important for brands to be smart about how their managing their reputations online, especially with so many customer service requests rolling in. Here’s what you need to know to keep things going smoothly: A2: If someone has a bad experience, they are going to tag you and make sure everyone knows, so brands are more conscious now. #ContentWritingChat — AgoraPulse (@AgoraPulse) February 27, 2018 You have to be aware of what’s going on with your social media presence. As Scott said, one bad experience can spread. You need to do what you can to resolve issues as soon as possible. A2: Most of the time customer complaints are out there for everyone to see making the brand’s response visible too. The way a brand handles a complaint shows how much they care about their customers when others are watching. #ContentWritingChat pic.twitter.com/lbrct37wFY — Netvantage Marketing (@netvantage) February 27, 2018 Lexie brought up a great point about how everything is public now. Your audience can see the complaints you’re getting, as well as how you’re handling them. And how you respond to criticism says a lot about your brand. A2: There’s no where to hide. The good, bad, and ugly are on display for other users to see. It’s how you handle these situations that determines your reputation. You have to be engaged at all time to show you’re paying attention. #ContentWritingChat — Maria Marchewka (@_MariaMarchewka) February 27, 2018 As Maria pointed out, there’s no where to hide! Everything is on display for the world to see when it comes to social media. That’s why it’s so important, now more than ever, to handle customer service requests with care. A2: My opinion of a company changed completely because of #SocialMedia. One post that just mentioned the company … Read more

#ContentWritingChat Recap: Direct Response Copywriting with Eddie Shleyner

Direct Response Copywriting

Are you familiar with direct response copywriting? Would you like to learn more about it? Well, you’re in luck! That’s exactly what we discussed during this week’s #ContentWritingChat! We talked about how you can apply direct response writing principles, a simple formula you can follow for writing copy, and shared some great resources to learn from! #ContentWritingChat Recap: Direct Response Copywriting with Eddie Shleyner Join us for #ContentWritingChat on Tuesday, February 20th to talk about direct response copywriting with @VeryGoodCopy! ?? pic.twitter.com/oSsS9C0jqP — Express Writers (@ExpWriters) February 13, 2018 Our guest host for this week was Eddie Shleyner. He’s a direct response copywriter and a content marketer. And Eddie is the founder of VeryGoodCopy. He shared some great tips during the chat, which you’ll want to check out! So, let’s go ahead and dive into our recap! Q1: What is direct response copywriting? To kick off the chat, we asked everyone to share what direct response copywriting is. Some of our participants were familiar with it, while others were not. It was a great opportunity to see who was new to the world of direct response. Here are a few responses we received: A1: Direct Response is copy that speaks DIRECTLY to the prospect — the decision maker — with the goal of 1) capturing her attention 2) keeping her engagement throughout the entire message and 3) persuading her to take swift, immediate action at the end. #ContentWritingChat — Eddie Shleyner (@VeryGoodCopy) February 20, 2018 As Eddie said, direct response is when you create copy that speaks directly to your target audience. He mentioned you need to grab attention, keep your readers engaged throughout your message, and persuade them to take immediate action afterwards. A1: Direct response copywriting is a way to get a reaction from the reader. The response will vary based on the copy goal, but it could be something that makes a consumer buy, or makes the reader think more in-depth about a topic. #ContentWritingChat — Netvantage Marketing (@netvantage) February 20, 2018 Lexie know direct response copywriting is a way to get a swift reaction from your reader. You may push them towards making a purchase or something else. A1: It’s a fairly intuitive description — that kind of copywriting causes, well, a direct response in the reader. Basically it’s writing that taps into the emotions of the reader.#ContentWritingChat https://t.co/oEj4W2FEui — ThinkSEM (@ThinkSEM) February 20, 2018 Sarah agrees that it’s all about causing a direct response in the reader, which is typically done by tapping into their emotions. A1 Direct Response copy is designed to lead the reader to a buying decision there and then – as soon as they read the copy. With direct-response copywriting – the action is immediate.#ContentWritingChat — Julia McCoy | #SXSW 2018 (@JuliaEMcCoy) February 20, 2018 As Julia pointed out, the action is immediate when it comes to direct response. There’s no waiting around here! A1: Just like it sounds. The goal is to take the consumer directly to a buying decision. It essentially eliminates the fluff and gets straight to the point. #ContentWritingChat — Flying Cork (@flyingcorkpgh) February 20, 2018 It’s going to eliminate the fluff and get straight to the point, which is a time saver for your readers. A1: It’s writing that has the sole purpose of getting members of very specific audience to take a very specific action. It’s always based on, again, a specified goal that aligns with the overall biz objectives 🙂 #ContentWritingChat https://t.co/1NdCgtchIK — Marijana Kostelac ✏ (@MarijanaKay) February 20, 2018 Marijana said the purpose of direct response copywriting is to get people to take an action, which will be based on a goal that’s connected to your business objectives. Q2: So is Don Draper from Mad Men a direct response copywriter? Many of us are familiar with the Don Draper character from Mad Men. But was the work he did also direct response copywriting? Check out these answers: A2: Don was an IN-direct response copywriter. He created taglines and campaigns designed to linger in the prospect’s mind until, eventually, she was presented with a buying decision. Immediate action was NOT his goal — and therein lies the difference. #ContentWritingChat — Eddie Shleyner (@VeryGoodCopy) February 20, 2018 Eddie said Don Draper was more of an in-direct response copywriter. His goal was to create copy that lingered in the mind until the consumer was presented with a buying decision. A2 Interestingly enough, Don Draper wasn’t a DR copywriter. He’s an indirect-response man, who wrote copy designed to briefly grab your attention & then make the product linger in your mind. If it was really good, you’d remember it when you’re in the store. #ContentWritingChat pic.twitter.com/8J9nKvnvXs — Julia McCoy | #SXSW 2018 (@JuliaEMcCoy) February 20, 2018 Julia agrees with Eddie when it comes to Don’s work. He certainly knew what he was doing when it came to the campaigns he created. A2: Mr. Don Draper was an innovator, copywriter, branding expert, & painfully handsome & charming. He told a story that got customers to think they couldn’t live without a product. His ideas weren’t always direct response first #ContentWritingChat — Terry Schilling (@tschill86) February 20, 2018 Terry said Don was able to tell a story that made customers think they couldn’t live without a product. When it came time to buy, they recalled the copy he’d crafted. Q3: What’s the greatest advantage direct response copywriters have over their in-direct counterparts? Direct response copywriting can certainly have its advantages. But for those who aren’t familiar with it, they might wonder what those benefits are. Here’s what you need to know: A3a: Testing. Direct Response copywriters can easily measure an ad’s effectiveness (i.e., response) by asking prospects to take a trackable action (e.g., “Go to our site and enter [code] for a 10% discount!”). #ContentWritingChat — Eddie Shleyner (@VeryGoodCopy) February 20, 2018 Eddie knows that those in direct response can easily measure an ad’s effectiveness through trackable actions. Being able to see those results come in is a … Read more

#ContentWritingChat Recap: How to Create Amazing Online Video Content for Your Brand

How to Create Amazing Online Video Content for Your Brand

It’s was our monthly Community Chat during this week’s #ContentWritingChat! That means we gave our audience the chance to vote on which topic they were most interested in dicussing. And the one that came out on top? Video creation tips! It’s no surprise this was the chosen topic, considering video continues to be the HOT content format for brands across the web. So, if you want to step-up your YouTube and live streaming game, this recap is for you! #ContentWritingChat Recap: How to Create Amazing Online Video Content for Your Brand You voted! ✅ And now you just need to join us for #ContentWritingChat on Tuesday, February 13th to talk all about creating video content for your brand! ? The fun starts at 10 AM Central, so mark your calendars. ? pic.twitter.com/ZypfoeQP2b — Express Writers (@ExpWriters) February 9, 2018 Our chat discussed video platforms to focus on, how to create captivating videos people want to watch, and more. Now, let’s dive into this recap! Q1: Do you currently create video content for your brand? If not, do you plan to start using video in 2018? To kick off the chat, we decided to gauge just how many people were currently using some form of video and how many were ready to get in on the game. Here are some of the responses we received: A1 Yes! I am slowly building my YouTube presence (https://t.co/h58NSDbzEa). I just hired a post-production video editor for some cool effects! My #truth: I’ve found it NOT schedule filming, and only do it when I’m inspired. WAY easier for me!#ContentWritingChat pic.twitter.com/bkFPkuOd00 — Julia McCoy | CEO, Author, Content Educator (@JuliaEMcCoy) February 13, 2018 Here at Express Writers, our CEO is working to build her presence on YouTube. She recognizes it’s a valuable platform to be on, as video content provides an amazing way to connect with your audience. A1: Absolutely! We create both edited & live video content as a part of our Digital Media Marketing strategy across all of our Social Media platforms #ContentWritingChat https://t.co/H0rKwxam2I — Eddie Garrison #FacebookLive ? (@EddieGarrison) February 13, 2018 Eddie focuses on both edited and live video, which is a great way to reach your audience. Plus, live video adds that element of real-time engagement, which is always nice. A1 I pretty much only use video. My blog, Facebook Live discussions are a big part of my growing my brand. #ContentWritingChat https://t.co/wdIu1Yp4YV — Jade Alberts Consulting (@Jade_A_Consult) February 13, 2018 Jade is all about video content, which is pretty awesome! A1. Yes, I record my podcast every week when I have guest via live streaming on facebook #ContentWritingChat — Cheval John (@chevd80) February 13, 2018 For Cheval, he records his podcast every week when he has a guest live streaming on Facebook. It’s a great way to repurpose your live stream. A1: Yes. I started making Youtube videos on a bi-weekly basis in 2013. For a little time I reduced that to once a month before in 2017 committing myself to one video a week. #ContentWritingChat — Zachary Fenell (@zacharyfenell) February 13, 2018 Zachary stepped up his video presence by uploading one video a week to his YouTube channel last year. Very impressive! A1 Yes! Different content – short video, long-form and some livevideo in between ? I think video is such change-maker, you can brisge the gap woth your audience so much easier & connect 1:1 #ContentWritingChat https://t.co/5z8cf3GXAs — Zala Bricelj #SMMW18 here I come (@ZalkaB) February 13, 2018 Zala knows video is where it’s at! She’s created short videos, long videos, and even live videos. This is a great way to make sure you’re creating content that resonates with your audience. A1. I create videos for my clients, not for my own brand. That’s something I want to do in 2018. Getting there slowly.. #ContentWritingChat — Ankitaa G Dalmia (@Anki_Live) February 13, 2018 Ankitaa creates videos for her clients, but she hasn’t branched out to do it for herself yet. Hopefully 2018 is the year she makes it happen! A1: I made one “promo” video for our online magazine and haven’t produced anything since. Would love more time (more team) to do so. #contentwritingchat — Paul Haluszczak (@expertlypaul) February 13, 2018 Paul has only done one promo video so far, but he’d love to create more this year. A1) Currently no, but it’s something I’d like to incorporate into my strategy later in the year. I think video can be a great accompaniment to a social strategy #contentwritingchat — Iain G. Scott (@IainGScott) February 13, 2018 Iain hasn’t gotten started with video either, but he’s planning to later in 2018. Q2: What types of video are you most focused on this year? (YouTube, Facebook Live, etc.) With so many platforms where you can utilize video, it can be difficult to determine where to direct your attention. These are the types of video some of our chat participants will be focused on: A2: YouTube. Facebook Live and Instagram are cool, yes. But I think there’s something so basic and so vital about nailing YouTube videos. It’s another search engine altogether and I want to get that right. #ContentWritingChat — Narmadhaa (@s_narmadhaa) February 13, 2018 As Narmadhaa said, YouTube is a search engine itself. It’s a worthwhile platform to be on if you want your content to be discovered. A2 YouTube first and foremost. The evergreen/organic ranking reach of creating quality channel videos is undeniably powerful. Secondly, FB Lives! The reach of a Live video is also unquestionably at the top for FB right now. #ContentWritingChat — Julia McCoy | CEO, Author, Content Educator (@JuliaEMcCoy) February 13, 2018 For Julia, it’s mostly about YouTube because she knows it’s beneficial to get videos ranking there. However, she also recognizes the power of Facebook Live. Being able to do those and connect with your audience in the moment is very special. A2: Facebook Live! It offers such a unique positioning to better humanize your brand to your audience. It also offers … Read more

#ContentWritingChat Recap: Best of 2017 with Gini Dietrich & Madalyn Sklar

#ContentWritingChat Recap: Best of 2017 with Gini Dietrich & Madalyn Sklar

This week was the last #ContentWritingChat of 2017. *cue the tears* We’ve had a tremendous year growing this community and connecting with so many amazing content creators from around the globe. Throughout 2017, we’ve had amazing guests and topics week after week. And it’s only going to get better from here! However, before we move forward into 2018, we wanted to use this week’s chat to reflect on the past year. So, let’s dive into the recap! #ContentWritingChat Recap: Best of 2017 with Gini Dietrich & Madalyn Sklar Join us for #ContentWritingChat on Tuesday, December 19th to celebrate the end of 2017! ? @ginidietrich and @MadalynSklar will be our guest hosts! pic.twitter.com/9llbBIIeTU — Express Writers (@ExpWriters) December 13, 2017 To wrap up the year, we wanted to make sure we brought on some powerhouse guests. Two ladies that came to mind were Gini Dietrich and Madalyn Sklar. Both of them have hosted #ContentWritingChat in the past and provided great value to the community. It only made sense to have them join us again! Q1: Which content marketing and social media trends really stood out in 2017? What was worth the effort for brands to implement? To kick off the chat, we asked everyone to share the top trends they believed were worth the effort in 2017. Was it live video, podcasting, or something else? Here are a few responses we received: A1: Lots more video marketing and Facebook Live—both good and bad. #contentwritingchat — Gini Dietrich (@ginidietrich) December 19, 2017 Gini knows that video marketing and Facebook Live broadcasts really stood out in the past year. There’s no denying that this will continue to grow in popularity during 2018. A1: A larger shift toward paid media to amplify content. #contentwritingchat — Gini Dietrich (@ginidietrich) December 19, 2017 She also said there’s been a greater shift toward paid media. With the algorithms social media platforms have put in place, it’s almost become a requirement if you want your content to be seen. A1: The trends that stood out for 2017 was video, podcasting and livestreaming. #ContentWritingChat https://t.co/9ZjnF8cbTf — Madalyn Sklar ? Speaker. Podcaster. Chat Host. (@MadalynSklar) December 19, 2017 Video, podcasting, and live streaming are the three trends that caught Madalyn’s attention this year. A1: I’d say video was the most-talked about topic in 2017 – everyone looked so interested in starting their own journey on YouTube and similar platforms!#ContentWritingChat pic.twitter.com/WygMq2z20e — @AndreaTorti90 (@andreatorti90) December 19, 2017 Video was certainly one hot topic this year! As Andrea said, more brands started creating YouTube channels and sharing video content with their audience. A1: Live streaming and video content stood out the most in 2017 for brands. A trend that won’t go away and will only become more popular in 2018. #ContentWritingChat — Netvantage Marketing (@netvantage) December 19, 2017 Besides YouTube channels, live streaming has been pretty popular. Brands started using tools like Facebook Live and Instagram Live. A1: Live streaming was huge in 2017, which is pretty easy for brands to do to connect to their audience. Live streaming 2018 will only grow off of that. #ContentWritingChat — Allegheny Answering (@Answering_Svc) December 19, 2017 But why was live streaming such a big deal? It’s a great way for brands to connect with their audience. If you haven’t tried it out, it’s worth it! A1. Live Video, Short Video, VIDEO! (also paid content). Live/authentic videos allowed audiences to connect with brands and paid put that content infront of their audience. I don’t think either will going away anytime soon. #ContentWritingChat https://t.co/j0cXJnZ8x3 — Rebecca Wegscheid (@MarketerRebecca) December 19, 2017 Brands were even using videos in their paid content on social media. And let’s face it, this isn’t going away anytime soon. A1. I’ve noticed a shift in tone from the stiff and boring to more conversational and edgy. Companies have finally figured out that they have to be “social” and a little less corporate to build real relationships with their targeted audiences. #contentwritingchat — Doris Shadouh (@DShadouh) December 19, 2017 Doris said she’s noticed a shift in how brands communicate with their audience. Many have taken a more conversation appreciate instead of being stiff. Q2: Were there any trends or platforms that kind of died off for you in the past year? Was there anything you stopped doing in 2017? Were there any platforms you said goodbye to? Check out what a few of our chat participants ditched this year: A2: I stopped using Snapchat completely in 2017. My two cents: there’s no need for it unless you use it to chat with friends. But that’s what Facebook is for. #ContentWritingChat https://t.co/wD0SFAAwSb — Madalyn Sklar ? Speaker. Podcaster. Chat Host. (@MadalynSklar) December 19, 2017 Madalyn said she stopped using Snapchat in 2017 and she isn’t alone. A2: For me personally, it was Snapchat. I tried and tried, but it was just one more thing that added more noise. #contentwritingchat — Gini Dietrich (@ginidietrich) December 19, 2017 Gini also dropped Snapchat this year. A2: Snapchat use def dwindled for me, but that said, while that platform itself died off for me, the concept and use of “stories” has grown #ContentWritingChat https://t.co/KgmJf9VFZZ — Mike Connell (@themuna) December 19, 2017 Even Mike said that Snapchat dwindled for him as well. Although the platform is still active, many people have ditched it in favor of others. The “Stories” concept that Snapchat created has simply become more popular on Instagram. A2 We started off the year trying to push Snapchat and Geofilters and then decided that it wasn’t really worth it. Instagram has made significant improvements, and I don’t think I’ll be trying Snapchat again. #ContentWritingChat — Cristy (@lacristysalinas) December 19, 2017 Cristy said her team was pushing Snapchat and Geofilters at the beginning of the year, but realized it wasn’t worth it. As she pointed out, Instagram made major improvements which really stood out and drew more people in. A2: As live streaming became a hit, I think organic Facebook posts took the backseat. The platform itself … Read more

#ContentWritingChat Recap: Content Marketing SEO

#ContentWritingChat Recap: Content Marketing SEO

This week, we had our monthly community chat for #ContentWritingChat! There was a lot of great information shared during the busy hour over on Twitter. And we’re recapping it all for you! #ContentWritingChat Recap: Content Marketing SEO Join us for #ContentWritingChat on Tuesday, December 12th at 10 AM Central Time to talk about #ContentMarketing SEO! ?? pic.twitter.com/4Oe0yCEmRS — Express Writers (@ExpWriters) December 5, 2017 We conducted a poll a while back to see which topics our participants were interested in. One of the topics that came out on top was Content Marketing SEO, so we made it the choice for this week. Q1: How do content marketing and SEO work together? And why is it important to utilize both? To kick off the chat, we asked everyone to share how content marketing and SEO go hand-in-hand and why both are important for content creators. Here are a few responses: A1) They work hand-in-hand. If you spend a lot of time on one, but not the other, then your content suffers. If you rock both of them out, you will see ridiculous returns!#ContentWritingChat pic.twitter.com/wcYnBBVKjV — Jason Schemmel – Podcaster. Speaker. #GSDChat?️ (@JasonSchemmel) December 12, 2017 Jason knows that if you spend more time on one or the other, your content is going to suffer. It’s important to implement both content marketing and SEO if you want to see major results online. A1: They work together like peanut butter and jelly — they’re complimentary! You need both because they work together to improve each other.#ContentWritingChat https://t.co/JuKtBudPeS — ThinkSEM (@ThinkSEM) December 12, 2017 As Sarah said, they work together to improve each other. A1: Content marketing & SEO are like PB & jelly! They complement each other. Good content isn’t worth as much if it isn’t well optimized for your audience to find it. #ContentWritingChat pic.twitter.com/EQy9UxDXRc — Netvantage Marketing (@netvantage) December 12, 2017 Good content isn’t worth much if it isn’t optimized for your audience to find it. Keep that in mind! A1 Content marketing + SEO is like the crust + filling in a pie. You can’t have high-ROI (tasty, reader-friendly pie) unless you have a firm strategy and knowledge on how to use both. #ContentWritingChat pic.twitter.com/cEqBoTaHrG — Julia McCoy | Author. CEO. Content Educator (@JuliaEMcCoy) December 12, 2017 Julia said you can’t have high-ROI without a firm strategy and knowledge on how to use both. A1: Content marketing and SEO work together by amplifying one another. You need great content and people seeing that content. SEO is a great way to get in front of people who are looking for a solution to their problems. #ContentWritingChat — Amanda Cross (@amandacrossblog) December 12, 2017 You need great content and you need people to actually discover it. That’s why content marketing SEO is so crucial these days. Q2: What are some tips to help you create content that truly resonates with your audience? No matter what, it’s so important that your audience enjoys your content. To create content they’ll want to read and share, here’s what you need to know: A2: Get to know your audience first. Find out what information they want to learn about. If you don’t know them, you can’t be helpful to them. #ContentWritingChat pic.twitter.com/CcHvaXVOae — Netvantage Marketing (@netvantage) December 12, 2017 As Lexie said, it’s important to get to know your audience first. They will guide you when it comes to creating content they enjoy. A2: Create content with your audience in mind. Your audience is the boss so always pay attention to what they’re talking about and what makes them tick. Use this information and channel it into your content strategy. #contentwritingchat — Flying Cork (@flyingcorkpgh) December 12, 2017 Once you know who your audience is, you can create with them in mind. Write about the topics they’re discussing to attract attention. A2. Listen to what your audience are chatting about on a daily basis. #contentwritingchat — Cheval John (@chevd80) December 12, 2017 Cheval knows that listening to your audience is so important if you want to create amazing content. A2: Listen. You need to see what your audience responds to, what they comment on, what they talk about, what they email you about, etc. Then deliver on that consistently. #ContentWritingChat — Amanda Cross (@amandacrossblog) December 12, 2017 Amanda also said listening is crucial. You can see what your audience responds to, what they comment on, what they talk about, and so much more. That can help guide the direction of your content. A2: Your audience is your compass. They’ll point your content creation in the direction that it needs to go. Always pay attn. to their topics of interest and be willing to pivot your strategy to accommodate them. #contentwritingchat — Maria Marchewka (@_MariaMarchewka) December 12, 2017 When you pay attention to your audience, the answers will follow. Don’t be afraid to tweak your strategy to best suit them and their needs. a2 Start with knowing your audience persona – then provide content that showcases your expertise, authority, trustworthiness & how you can help. #contentwritingchat — Debi Norton (@BRAVOMedia1) December 12, 2017 Debi knows it’s important to share content that showcases your expertise, authority, and trustworthiness. A2: Pay attention to your Analytics: what’s grabbing their attention/converting them already? Expound upon those subjects and milk them for what they’re worth! Do more of what’s working.#ContentWritingChat https://t.co/7lUGj80ka4 — ThinkSEM (@ThinkSEM) December 12, 2017 Sarah suggests looking at your analytics. You can see what is grabbing their attention and earning conversions. Do more of what’s working to maximize your results. A2: Ask them! Survey your audience about what #content appeals to them#ContentWritingChat — Danielle Bullen Love (@daniellewriter) December 12, 2017 If you’re feeling stuck for ideas, ask them! Danielle suggested surveying your audience to see what appeals to them. After all, they’re the best source to ask. A2: Answer questions people are actually asking about topics relevant to your business/product/service. https://t.co/6nmT8gvegf is a helpful tool for this! #ContentWritingChat — Ashley Bovin (@aruthbovin) December 12, 2017 Make sure you’re … Read more

#ContentWritingChat Recap: Sensitivity in Content Creation with Jenn Renoe

#ContentWritingChat Recap: Sensitivity in Content Creation with Jenn Renoe

In this week’s #ContentWritingChat, we covered a topic we’ve never truly discussed before: sensitivity in content creation. Although it’s something we’ve never talked about extensively during our busy hour on Twitter, it’s an important topic for any brand. We covered what’s okay to discuss online and how you can find your voice when talking about sensitive topics. Let’s dive into the recap! Sensitivity in Content Creation: Deciding What You Can Discuss & How to Find Your Voice with Jenn Renoe Our guest host for this week’s chat was Jenn Renoe. She’s been a regular participant during #ContentWritingChat, so having her step into the guest hosting role was a real treat. Jenn is a public speaker, as well as the host of the Our Fractured Minds podcast about mental illness. Q1: What makes a topic a sensitive one to talk about? To kick off the chat, we asked everyone to share what they felt a “sensitive topic” was. Here are a few responses we received: A1) These days, it can seem like every topic is a sensitive one. Still, to me, there are topics that seem to generate more polarized discussion than others. Politics Religion Sexuality Disasters Mental Health#ContentWritingChat pic.twitter.com/a6W4XtgqbW — Jeff Reno(e) ??? (@Renoe) December 5, 2017 As Jenn said, many topics have become sensitive ones to discuss these days. However, some common subjects include politics, religion, sexuality, disasters, and mental health. A1. The old rule about the dinner table applies here: no politics or religion. #ContentWritingChat — Gene Petrov // Leadership & Management Consulting (@GenePetrovLMC) December 5, 2017 Gene knows two topics that can stir up controversy are politics and religion. A1 We write hundreds of pages a week at @ExpWriters…and generally stay away from stating / taking sides in politics and religion. Most people won’t agree with this one, but I avoid swearing/cursing, too. #ContentWritingChat — Julia McCoy | ?? My new book is LIVE! (@JuliaEMcCoy) December 5, 2017 As Julia said, we generally steer clear of sensitive topics here at Express Writers. She avoids taking sides in politics and religion. Another thing she avoids in her content? Cursing. A1) Realistically, any topic could be sensitive. But essentially, a topic is a sensitive subject when there’s real potential to offend another. Which, sadly, happens far too easily nowadays. #ContentWritingChat pic.twitter.com/CFJcQ3UfGM — Jason Schemmel – Podcaster. Speaker. #GSDChat (@JasonSchemmel) December 5, 2017 Jason said a topic is sensitive when there’s real potential to offend another person. If you spend any time online these days, you know that happens quite often now. A1 Any polarizing or potentially controversial topic can be sensitive, particularly when the content runs the risk of offending a group of people. #contentwritingchat — Bill Skowronski (@BillSkowronski) December 5, 2017 Bill feels the same as Jason. If a topic has the potential to offend a group of people, it’s definitely a sensitive area. A1. I think we need to mindful that some topics may be sensitive to others even if we don’t think the are. #contentwritingchat — Your Web Content Writer (@WebContent4U) December 5, 2017 Even if you think a topic might be safe to discuss, there are others who might not think so. If you aren’t sure, you can always get a second opinion. A1: The more you get personal, the more the chances of hurting someone’s feelings – family, relationships, beliefs… very touchy issues.#ContentWritingChat pic.twitter.com/rA3zFB0j8W — @AndreaTorti90 (@andreatorti90) December 5, 2017 Andrea said the more personal you get, the greater your chances are of hurting someone. Q2: How do you decide if a sensitive topic is one you should have a voice on? If there’s a sensitive topic you have an opinion on, should you really speak up about it? This advice will help you decide if it’s wise: A2) The real question when it comes to whether or not you should comment on a sensitive issue is do you have a story worth sharing? Don’t fuel a narrative unless you have a unique perspective that benefits your readers. #ContentWritingChat. pic.twitter.com/9KouSpUaXj — Jeff Reno(e) ??? (@Renoe) December 5, 2017 Do you have a story worth sharing? That’s what Jenn feels you should think about when deciding to cover a sensitive topic. Her advice is not to fuel a narrative unless you have a unique perspective on it. A2: Is it relevant/meaningful/helpful to your brand/business/customers? Then yes! If not, then no.#ContentWritingChat https://t.co/UhCrRHbmam — ThinkSEM (@ThinkSEM) December 5, 2017 Sarah said you should ask yourself if the topic is relevant, meaningful, or helpful to your brand or customers. If that answer is yes, then you’re good to go. A2) I think if the topic is relevant to your biz, it MIGHT be appropriate (even wise) to write about. If not, better safe than sorry and steer clear #ContentWritingChat — David Boutin (@dmboutin) December 5, 2017 If the topic is relevant to your business, David said it might be appropriate to discuss. If not, his advice is to avoid it. A2. You should ask “Why.” Why are you writing about it? #contentwritingchat — Your Web Content Writer (@WebContent4U) December 5, 2017 One important thing to consider is why you’re writing about a certain topic. There should be a real purpose behind the opinions you want to share. A2: Ask yourself: Is my audience directly affected by this topic/conversation/story? Can my brand help this topic or will #writing about it hinder progress? Does the topic at hand align with our brand values, mission, etc?#ContentWritingChat — Anne Mercer (@Anne_E_Mercer) December 5, 2017 Is your audience affected by the topic? Can your brand hep the topic or will it only hinder progress? Does the topic align with your brand’s values? These are all great things to consider that Anne shared with us. A2: If it stirs your soul and you can’t stop thinking about it…you should have a voice on a sensitive topic. #ContentWritingChat — ?Northwest Writer (@tashastukes) December 5, 2017 If it stirs your soul, you’re going to be more inclined to step up to the plate and talk … Read more

#ContentWritingChat Recap: How to Build a Brand That Will Stand Out in 2018 with Rochelle Moulton

#ContentWritingChat Recap: How to Build a Brand That Will Stand Out in 2018 with Rochelle Moulton

There’s no denying that it takes time to truly build a brand that will stand out from the crowd, especially if you’re in a saturated niche. Fortunately, our latest #ContentWritingChat has some tips that are going to help your brand shine. And this is advice you’ll want to implement in the coming year! Whether you’re building your own personal brand or you are part of another company’s brand, these tips will still be beneficial for you. So, if you want to learn how to build a brand that people truly love, keep reading for this week’s recap! #ContentWritingChat Recap: How to Build a Brand That Will Stand Out in 2018 with Rochelle Moulton Welcome to #ContentWritingChat! Today, @ConsultingChick is joining us to share her tips on building a brand that stands out. ?? Who is ready to chat? pic.twitter.com/JgdI7YnKXx — Express Writers (@ExpWriters) November 28, 2017 Our guest host this week was Rochelle Moulton. She’s an entrepreneur and a personal brand strategist. She joined us for Tuesday’s #ContentWritingChat to share her advice on branding and it’s definitely worth a read! Let’s dive in! Q1: What does it mean to have a personal brand or a brand for your business? Have you built one? To kick off the chat, we asked everyone to share what it means to have a brand. We also wanted to know if they’ve worked to build a brand themselves! Here’s what a few of our chat participants had to say: A1a Having a personal brand is consistently presenting yourself/your ideas so your sweet-spot audience knows you. #contentwritingchat — Rochelle Moulton (@ConsultingChick) November 28, 2017 A1 It’s also—at its best—about authenticity. Genuinely, without artifice, YOU. #contentwritingchat — Rochelle Moulton (@ConsultingChick) November 28, 2017 Rochelle said that having a personal brand is consistently presenting yourself and your ideas so your “sweet spot” audience knows you. Your brand also needs to be authentic. If it’s not, people are going to see right through you. A1: A brand is an identity for the company or person. It shows what is important to the company. It is crucial to be consistent with the identity you are showing. #ContentWritingChat — Netvantage Marketing (@netvantage) November 28, 2017 Lexie knows a brand is essentially the identity of the person or company that it represents. She feels your brand shows what’s important and that consistency is key. A1: Having a personal brand = showcasing who your business is and how you can help your customers.#ContentWritingChat https://t.co/0RemNw24nR — ThinkSEM (@ThinkSEM) November 28, 2017 Sarah said that having a personal brand showcases what your business is and how you’re able to help your customers. A1 Personal brand = creating a transparent, genuine, and honest public identity attached to ROI (courses, consulting, services, etc) that people relate to and want to invest in. #ContentWritingChat — Julia McCoy | ? New book out Nov 30! (@JuliaEMcCoy) November 28, 2017 When building a personal brand, you need to be transparent, genuine, and honest. Julia said that people will need to be able to relate to your brand and should want to invest in it. That’s all part of helping you attract the right people. A1. It’s your personality, vision, mission. It’s what you do, why you do it, and how you do it. It’s what people know and understand about you. It’s what people say when you leave the room. #contentwritingchat — Bourbon & Honey (@BrittanyBrander) November 28, 2017 As Brittany said, your brand is your personality, your vision, and your mission. It’s all about what you do, why you do it, and how you do it. She knows that your brand helps people get to know and understand you. A1. “Building your #brand is a crucial part of developing your business. It’s the foundation of giving your organization a voice, identity, value, and awareness among consumers.” via @HubSpot https://t.co/Z4S2lWRYyj #ContentWritingChat — SourceMedia (@SourceMediaCo) November 28, 2017 Your brand is the foundation of giving your company a voice, identity, value, and awareness. A1: All of us have a #PersonalBrand, whether we know it or not, whether we like it or not – it’s the way people see us!#ContentWritingChat pic.twitter.com/CvRACJCELz — @AndreaTorti90 (@andreatorti90) November 28, 2017 And remember, we all have a personal brand, whether you realize it or not! It’s better to be smart and actually manage your brand’s reputation. Q2: What are some key elements you will need in order to build a brand that will stand out? To build a brand that truly shines, there are a few key elements you’ll need to get started! Here’s what you need to know: A2 100% clarity on your ideal audience—who do you want to reach? #contentwritingchat — Rochelle Moulton (@ConsultingChick) November 28, 2017 A2 A compelling point of view—what do you believe and why? #contentwritingchat — Rochelle Moulton (@ConsultingChick) November 28, 2017 As Rochelle said, it’s important to have clarity on who your ideal audience is. You need to know who you want to reach in order to create the content that will resonate with them. She also said that having a compelling point of view will help you stand out from others. A2 Consistency is highly underrated—it’s actually the single most important factor in building trust in your brand #contentwritingchat — Rochelle Moulton (@ConsultingChick) November 28, 2017 And don’t forget that consistency is essential as well! It’s going to help you establish your brand and build trust with your audience. A2: A unique message…Something that sets you apart from others in your niche. When you define your message, you have to make sure that it’s one that can grow with you. #contentwritingchat — Flying Cork (@flyingcorkpgh) November 28, 2017 A unique message is going to help differentiate you from the others in your niche. A2 Know: WHO you are WHAT is your unique “offering” & differs your from others HOW can you serve your audience WHAT are ways to educate, entertain of be helpful#ContentWritingChat https://t.co/1fH7LuPGmQ — Zala Bricelj (@ZalkaB) November 28, 2017 Zala said you need to figure … Read more

#ContentWritingChat Recap: Best Practices on Updating Your Old Content for More Results with Andy Crestodina

#ContentWritingChat Recap: Best Practices on Updating Your Old Content for More Results with Andy Crestodina

Quick question for you! Do you take the time to update the blog posts that are buried in the depths of your archives? If not, you should be! And that’s exactly what we’re teaching you how to do in this week’s #ContentWritingChat! So, if your older content could use some sprucing up, let’s dive into the recap for some great tips! #ContentWritingChat Recap: Best Practices on Updating Your Old Content for More Results with Andy Crestodina Join us for #ContentWritingChat on Tuesday, November 21st at 10 AM Central to spruce up your older content with @crestodina! ? pic.twitter.com/QChHJ3ZNKa — Express Writers (@ExpWriters) November 14, 2017 Our guest host this week was Andy Crestodina. Andy is a speaker, a content marketer, and the co-founder of Orbit Media. He shared some fantastic advice with us that’ll help you make the most of the content you’ve already published. Q1: Why is it so important to keep you older content updated and fresh? If you’re wondering why keeping your content updated is so important, it’s time to listen up! Check out these responses from the chat on why it’s a must for any content creator: A1: Quality and efficiency! It takes less time to update something old than create something new. #contentwritingchat — Andy Crestodina (@crestodina) November 21, 2017 A1: Those older topics are sometimes your best. Update them and put them back in rotation. Back at the top of the blog. #ContentWritingChat — Andy Crestodina (@crestodina) November 21, 2017 As Andy said, it’s worth updating your old content for quality and efficiency. Instead of creating something new, you can easily improve upon what’s already there. Sometimes that older content of yours is still great and therefore worth being updated. A1. What if a prospect happens to land on an old piece of content & it’s wildly outdated? The horror ? #contentwritingchat — Kristen Dunleavy (@KristenWritesIt) November 21, 2017 Kristen knows that it would be pretty awful if a potential client stumbled upon an older piece of content that didn’t exactly give off the best impression. You risk sending them running far away from your website. A1: You’ll never know whether someone is going to stumble upon an old post of yours – and in that case, you’ll want him/her to find still relevant info, right? Also, search engines looove fresh content!#ContentWritingChat pic.twitter.com/K6yX4hNVhA — @AndreaTorti90 (@andreatorti90) November 21, 2017 And as Andrea said, you never know when someone might find one of your older posts. You want to make sure it’s updated to your current standards. A1) The topic could still be relevant, but the data used could be updated (or even included to compare to the old data) to show how, over time, things have shifted.#ContentWritingChat pic.twitter.com/wqVYGobJ10 — Jason Schemmel (@JasonSchemmel) November 21, 2017 Jason pointed out that sometimes the topic is still relevant, but the data could use some updating. You don’t want readers coming across a post that’s filled with outdated information. A1: Things are always changing so in order to keep up with and stay ahead of the game, you have to continually refresh your content so that it stays relevant and shareable! #contentwritingchat — Flying Cork (@flyingcorkpgh) November 21, 2017 Giving your content a refresh is a great way to ensure it stays relevant and shareable! A1 Updating older content is INSTRUMENTAL to gain more conversions & $$ from your possibly outdated but high-ranking posts. #ContentWritingChat — Julia McCoy | ? New book out Nov 30! (@JuliaEMcCoy) November 21, 2017 Julia said updating your old content is actually a great way to boost conversions, especially if those posts are already ranking well in search results. A1 / Links break. Trends change. Facts update. Meaning evolves. Lots of gold in old content if you take the time to rework and freshen up. #ContentWritingChat — Mike Barzacchini (@MikeBarzacchini) November 21, 2017 As Mike pointed out, links can break, trends can change, and facts get outdated. These are all important things to look at improving in your older blog posts. A1 Don’t let that old content go to waste! Especially anything that is still getting traffic. Update it with any recent changes to keep it relevant for readers. #ContentWritingChat — Cristy (@lacristysalinas) November 21, 2017 If it’s still getting traffic, Cristy knows it’s worth updating to keep it relevant for your readers. A1: #Content may be old but that doesn’t mean it’s not getting traffic. (You’d be surprised!) Keeping those evergreen eyes engaged with periodic updates is so important! #contentwritingchat — Ashley Cardwell (@TheAshleyDale) November 21, 2017 Even if a piece of content is old, it could still be getting a lot of traffic. As Ashley mentioned, you might be surprised to see what gets the most traffic when looking through your analytics. It’s better to deliver those site visitors an amazing piece of content. Q2: Which brands do an amazing job at updating their older content? Tag them and let them know! Which brands can you learn from when it comes to keeping your archives fresh? Here are some great examples that are worth checking out: A2: I know that @LisaDJenkins at @SMExaminer has a strategy to update content. So does @michelelinn at @CMIcontent. #ContentWritingChat — Andy Crestodina (@crestodina) November 21, 2017 A2: According to our annual blogger survey, 55% of bloggers update old content! Here’s the data…https://t.co/oQ7P2vg9Fr #ContentWritingChat pic.twitter.com/Le5HwniGNe — Andy Crestodina (@crestodina) November 21, 2017 Lisa Jenkins, Social Media Examiner, and Michele Linn all do a great job at keeping older content updated and fresh. Andy’s blogger survey even revealed 55% of bloggers update old content. Don’t you want to be part of that group? A2 Love seeing how @CMIContent updates their older content. They recently had me rewrite one of mine. Boosts your entire content marketing campaign to rewrite/update. #ContentWritingChat — Julia McCoy | ? New book out Nov 30! (@JuliaEMcCoy) November 21, 2017 Julia said Content Marketing Institute does a great job at updating old blog posts. A2. I see @RebekahRadice updates her content and turn … Read more

#ContentWritingChat Recap: Content Marketing Strategy

#ContentWritingChat Recap: Content Marketing Strategy

Did you catch our latest #ContentWritingChat? We had our monthly community chat, which is when we skip having a guest host and allow our audience to choose the chat topic. We ran a poll the week before and the winning topic was Content Marketing Strategy! If you could use some help putting together an effective content marketing strategy for your brand, you’re in the right place. We’ve compiled some of the tweets from this week’s chat into a handy dandy recap! #ContentWritingChat Recap: Content Marketing Strategy Join us for #ContentWritingChat on Tuesday, November 14th at 10 AM Central to talk about #ContentMarketing Strategy! ? You won’t want to miss this one! pic.twitter.com/fGtQ2YRg8j — Express Writers (@ExpWriters) November 10, 2017 In Tuesday’s community chat, there were some amazing tips shared by our participants. You’ll learn the basics of a great content marketing strategy, tools and resources to help, and how to measure your success. Keep reading to check out all the advice! Q1: Why is it important to have a content marketing strategy for your brand? To kick off the chat, we asked everyone to share why they feel it’s important to have a content marketing strategy in place. If you need a little convincing that it’s worth the investment, you’ll want to read through these tweets! A1 A content marketing strategy is EVERYTHING to the success of your content. Strategize for success = succeed. No strategy = higher chances of content failure. #ContentWritingChat pic.twitter.com/3LOvG7NtnB — Julia McCoy | ? New book out Nov 30! (@JuliaEMcCoy) November 14, 2017 As Julia said, a content marketing strategy is everything to the success of your content. When you have a strategy in place, you have a much better chance at succeeding in your work. A1 Without a strategy in place, how can you hope to meet your goals and make good progress? Your content marketing strategy should be the foundations to your campaign’s success #contentwritingchat — Iain G. Scott (@IainGScott) November 14, 2017 If you don’t have a strategy in place, how you can expect to make progress and reach your goals? Iain knows that having a strategy is a must. A1: For the same reason a compass is helpful when navigating the Pacific. You need guidance to stay on course and headed toward your goal(s). #ContentWritingChat — Andrew Roberts (@ARoberts021) November 14, 2017 When you have a strategy for your content marketing efforts, it provides the guidance you need to keep moving in the right direction. A1: a strategy helps define a purpose, brand, and breaks down the steps to reach a goal. it puts everyone on the same page. #ContentWritingChat — Independent Retailer (@indretailer) November 14, 2017 A strategy helps define the purpose of your brand. Plus, it helps you break down all the steps required to help you reach your goals. A1: You need a strategy for ANY type of marketing endeavor…need to know what you’re aiming for, after all!#ContentWritingChat https://t.co/zF8WkU7GUg — ThinkSEM (@ThinkSEM) November 14, 2017 As Sarah said, you need a strategy for any kind of marketing you’re doing. This tells you what you’er aiming for so you can stay on the right path. A1: Content strategy gives you measurable actions, cohesive messaging and makes sure you aren’t scrambling to throw together something for your community. #ContentWritingChat — Brandie McCallum (@lttlewys) November 14, 2017 Having a strategy gives you measurable actions, cohesive messaging, and ensures you aren’t scrambling to throw something together at the last minute. A1: Having a plan allows you to produce better content and align your message across various channels. Plus, it puts your team on the same page. #ContentWritingChat — TouchConvert (@touchconvert) November 14, 2017 You can product much better content when you have everything planned out in advance. Plus, it’ll keep your entire team on the same page, which is very important. A1: Content strategies are the driving force behind the channels that do the outreach. They are the how behind the what when it comes to marketing goals. #ContentWritingChat — Maureen Jann (@MaureenOnPoint) November 14, 2017 Maureen said your content marketing strategy is the driving force behind the channels that do the outreach. Q2: What are the essential elements of every successful content marketing strategy? To get started with a strategy of your very own, you need to know where to begin. These are some essential elements you’ll want to have in place: A2: Successful content strategies are bolstered by a deep understanding of the brand’s best customers and your understanding in the market. #ContentWritingChat — Maureen Jann (@MaureenOnPoint) November 14, 2017 A great strategy all goes back to knowing who your audience is and understanding them. A2: Good research, resources & tracking. Need to know your audience, how to reach them, fulfill deadlines, & monitor!#ContentWritingChat https://t.co/7Iean2y9m1 — ThinkSEM (@ThinkSEM) November 14, 2017 Sarah feels good research, resources, and tracking are essential. She also pointed out that you need to know who your audience is and how to reach them. Don’t forget to set deadlines, meet them, and monitor your efforts. A2 Here are the four keys I teach for content marketing strategy success in my course (basic foundation, not skillsets). #ContentWritingChat pic.twitter.com/F07ridIlxO — Julia McCoy | ? New book out Nov 30! (@JuliaEMcCoy) November 14, 2017 Julia shared a helpful graphic of the four keys she teaches in her course! A2. Your #brand‘s goals, a timeline of when to share #content, understanding who your #audience is and what kind of content you’re going to share. #ContentWritingChat — SourceMedia (@SourceMediaCo) November 14, 2017 Knowing who your audience is, what kind of content you’re going to share, and what your goals are make up just a few of the essentials of a great strategy. A2: Target audience. Desired outcome (e.g. conversions, engagement). Platform selection/prioritization. Pipeline & capacity building; how & when is content being produced, recycled, repurposed. #ContentWritingChat — Andrew Roberts (@ARoberts021) November 14, 2017 Andrew also agrees that knowing your target audience is a must. He also mentioned that it’s important … Read more