Let's face it.  Content strategy is not easy.  Actually, it's pretty difficult. Those that regularly read this blog know I've been covering it more recently: Content Strategy Comes Before Social Media 20 Questions to Ask Before Launching a Content Marketing Project The B.E.S.T....

Well, first the bad news. After months of trying to work this out, the winner of Junta42’s $4200 in 42 Days Contest, 48HourPrint, decided not to move forward with their project. (for those of you who don’t remember, every project match that went through the Junta42 system over a 42 day period...

Somewhat interesting Bloomberg video from Ad legend Jerry Della Femina on the future of advertising and ad agencies. The key points: The advertising industry is not run by creative anymore, but the bean counters. The “good-old days” for advertising is over – where they used to make...

Had an interesting conversation with Texterity president Martin Hensel regarding lead generation programs (specifically for BtoB markets) and how they are changing before our eyes. Now, all lead generation programs are different, but they basically run this way (yes, very simplistic to all you lead generation...

As usual, Seth has done it again. I’ve taken Seth’s questions to ask on launching your next website and adapted them a bit for content marketing. As you put your next content plan together, use these questions. You won’t be sorry. Enjoy! What is the goal of the content marketing project? In...

Had the pleasure of giving this presentation for Virtual MENG (Marketing Executives Networking Group) yesterday on social media and content marketing. Some key takeaways from the presentation: The key to social media is understanding that no one cares about you.  They care about themselves. If...

Just finished this last post on content strategy before content marketing, then saw this perfect post from Seth Godin. It really puts what we are trying to accomplish with content marketing in perspective. Seth maps out six specific steps when it comes to success. Let’s take these steps and relate...

Core point: Don’t start executing on your content marketing until you have a sound content strategy. Yes, easier said than done, but so many of us get infatuated with a tactic before really planning out what should happen and why. You wouldn’t build a car without a step-by-step plan, but...

Following in the footsteps of their previous white paper on marketing trends (The End of Advertising as We Know It), IBM Global Business Services has developed another dandy for your reading pleasure called The Changing Face of Communication (download the PDF here). The report was designed specifically...

What if? (questions posed to a marketing professional) What if your customers saw your company as the industry thought leader? What if they signed up for your enewsletters and white papers because they were interested in what you had to say, and thought it could positively impact their businesses? What...

Wanted to pass on an outstanding eBook from Jonathan Kranz on the what, how and why for developing an eBook.  First off, this is a great example of how to do an eBook: inviting design, easy-to-follow organization, great examples, and a readable, natural voice. Second, if you are considering an...

Just read through a very interesting post from Brian Solis on Forrester’s Five-Year Media Spending Forecast. From the results, this quote from Forrester’s Shar VanBoskirk is worth some discussion: “The most interesting takeaway from the research is that overall advertising budgets will...