Is it weird that 2014 is almost over? Remember a couple of years ago when we were all wondering if the Mayan calendar was going to be right and that the world as we know it would cease to exist? How weird would that be…I mean, to have lived in a world with no Friday Fixes? Hey, speaking of the Friday Fix, guess what today is? In this week’s Fix, we look more at what not to do as you round the corner into 2015 (you’ll recall that previous pundits have posited predictions for the New Year). We also delve into ways to think about and to address some of storytelling’s more prominent challenges.
Make ‘Em Cry –and Buy: 3 Holiday Content Marketing Campaigns with Heart
Though there’s less than a week left until the big day, the holidays –and the lessons we can learn from holiday content campaigns, are far from over as Taylor Mallory Holland points out. In this piece, Taylor breaks down the winning tactics in three sentimental, emotionally gripping marketing campaigns. If you’ve never been asked to write something that touches audiences, take it from me, it’s hard because you always run the risk of missing the mark and coming off cheesy.
4 Quick Storytelling Tips for More Engaging Content
Good storytelling is hard, and if you don’t think so, then you’re either a Jedi Master or you’re not getting it. Brad Kuenn (and I) respects the challenges in being able to tell a truly engaging story. Brad goes into greater detail on having a clear purpose and audience, but he also highlights the importance of learning from the masters. Who’s told a great story lately that resonated with you? Why did it stick? How could it be better? What can you get out of it? The more you read good stories and read about how to tell good stories (see this article for example), the more quickly you will become a master in your own right.
Mobile Will Redefine and Revive Content Marketing
To clarify where she’s going with this piece, Marla Schimke subtitles her mobile-media focused piece “Brand publishing isn’t in a decline; it’s in a golden age.” Do tell. Even in the past five years, as Marla points out, we’ve become infinitely more mobile-centric (guilty as charged). She points out that branded content is well-poised to enjoy glory like never before –provided it uses the mobile vehicle property. Curious? Read on to see how to get in on the gold rush.
The Secret Ingredient for Succeeding at Content Marketing
Unlike in cooking in which the secret ingredient is always wine for the chef, the secret ingredient in content marketing –according to Brett Relander, is a little more complex (though possibly equally intoxicating…well, the success part is anyway).Sure, you should have a content strategy (recipe), but how good is that recipe going to be if it’s not documented? Will you remember your measurements for your ingredients or even what ingredients you use? As one who often creates undocumented recipes, I assure you the answer is going to be no.
6 Prevalent B2B Marketing Myths to Abandon in 2015
For whatever reason, Tim Asimos’ list of six things to abandon in 2015 makes me want to assume the position of a frightened woman in an old black and white ‘40s film because they’re all horrifying whether it be the myth that one must be “all or none” on social media use or that content marketing equals SEO. In this piece, Tim analyzes the flawed line of logic and then discusses the approach you should take (sort of an “eat this, not that” but for content marketing).
Will 2015 be the Year Content Marketing Grows Up?
For some reason, the title of Robin Bonn’s article reminds me of the commercial about the Cheez-It cheese needing to “mature.” Thinking of content marketing in a similar light, Robin reviews how content marketing grew in 2014 and then explores ways that it will further mature in 2015. If these predictions are to come to fruition, then I’m all for content marketing changing its name from Kitty to Karen and trading its MG for a white Chrysler LeBaron.
Personal Branding on LinkedIn: 10 Mistakes to Avoid
We all know that LinkedIn is a professional social media platform, which means its content is generally a little more sophisticated than say Facebook or Twitter content. That said, how you represent yourself (as an individual and an entity) needs to be of a certain caliber. All of Carolyn Hyams’ advice is sound, even the obvious like “don’t lie”, and “don’t spam your connections.”
4 Steps to a Breakout 2015
Let’s say that you’re just getting started in content marketing or the wheels are turning, but you’re not gaining traction yet. This short, easy read co-authored by Doug and Polly White is just what you need. They sum up some of the soundest advice that’s been provided for how to approach content marketing in 2015 including writing down a plan.
Content Marketing vs. Stuff Marketing: Do You Really Know What You’re Doing?
Andrew Moravick’s question of “do you really know what you’re doing?” is a haunting one because at any given point in the present, yes, I think I know what I’m doing. In a year or two, I’ll probably look back and cringe at what a dumb-dumb I was. When it comes to content marketing, if you can’t distinguish stuff marketing from content, then chances are, you’ll also look back and say, “Wow, that guy really didn’t have a clue.” Get ahead of yourself and make sure you’re not just doing “stuff.”
Fewer than Half of Content Marketers Think They Are Effective
According to Karen Webber, this lack of confidence among content marketers isn’t because they aren’t sure they know what they’re doing; it’s because they’re a bit overwhelmed. Content marketing is multidimensional, and it’s important to understand each facet to get it right. As a solution, Karen offers some logical tips that will at least give you the confidence to keep you pushing ahead and to keep your confidence-o-mometer rising.
Amy Delcambre is a freelance content and travel writer from Mobile, Alabama with a Master's in Creative Writing. When she's not painting the page with nouns, verbs, and adverbs, she's slaying grammar beasts as a freelance editor and saving the world one sentence fragment at a time teaching university writing classes. In her free time, Amy enjoys cooking, traveling, and testing which plant species best survive prolonged neglect.
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