Ideas + insights
Tips on creating exceptional content.Everything you need to create e-books that rise above the noise
Everything you need to create e-books that rise above the noise To stand apart amid content clutter, B2B marketers increasingly turn to e-books. From copywriting and design tips to essential tools—here's everything you need. Recently, I was...
How to write a case study and why you need them
How to write a case study and why you need them When was the last time you bought anything before researching online reviews? If you’re like most, the answer is never. According to research, 91 percent of people read online reviews and 84 percent trust...
Here’s how to write headlines that stop your readers cold
Good digital writers know how important the headline is for grabbing the readers' gaze. You just have a few seconds to capture their interest before they move to something more engaging. Indeed, advertising great David Ogilvy once said: "On the average, five times as...
Ask these 7 questions before you build a website
I remember meeting with the president of a locally-owned company discussing the business goals and objectives for his firm’s new website. In a moment of sheer clarity, he blurted out, “I just want the site to sell stuff!” I wish every executive was that clear when...
Content strategy in 600 words
Introduction: Content Strategy in 600 Words is based on research I did for a master's in English–technical communication in 2011. The pedantic-laced title—Effective Content Strategy for Campus Websites at Career Colleges—was an insightful look at content strategy...
Quick start guide to thought leadership marketing
Do you ever wonder how your competition landed an employee-bylined article in an industry trade publication that’s read by your customers and prospects? I used to think, “Why didn’t I think of that,” until I learned earlier in my career to master the same tactic....
Insights that’ll improve your B2B content marketing today [research]
Every year the Content Marketing Institute (CMI) and MarketingProfs team up to produce a study of how B2B companies are using content marketing to grow the business. Its latest study was released October 2016. If you’re a marketing leader at your firm, you’ll...
BuzzSumo: Why you need this essential content marketing tool
Content marketing professionals are obsessed with tools. Yes, count me in that demographic. If you need proof, just check the titles of the industry’s most-read blog posts. Most of the titles lead with a number and end with the word "tools:" Top 50…, Top 75…,...
What to do when you update your web content and blog posts
For companies that have created a large inventory of web content (blog posts and web pages) over time, it pays to reassess regularly your content for relevance, accurate information and SEO efficacy. I’m working with a company now that has hundreds of blog posts it...