Sujan Patel says, “Q: How can an online publication startup create trust with its users? A: We’re creating more content than ever these days and with the rise of companies getting smart on content marketing the volume is just going to go up. There’s so much content out there from bloggers, companies and online publications, so how do you stand out from the crowd? How do you build an audience and how do you earn their trust? These are some of the most common questions I get asked when it comes to content and the answer is always the same: be unique, entertaining and memorable. Let me... [...]

Tom Whatley says, “As a marketer, you likely have a comprehensive marketing stack at your disposal — tools to help create compelling content, promote it, etc. But which tools help you understand the challenges of your audience? Companies that focus on their customers are 60% more profitable than “non-customer-centric” companies according to Deloitte. Similar results can apply to customer-centric content. These three tactics will help yield information from your customers. You’ll understand their needs, challenges, and what they want to learn about. Then you can take that insight... [...]

Tommy Wyher says, “Many freelance writers find themselves in the position of having a client that is extremely niche or a bit difficult due to a lack of experience with the topic. Some writers completely avoid this while others charge a bit more per word when creating website copy and blog content. As a freelancer, you will have to take on clients that might not be quite as interesting as others. This does not mean it is impossible to write quality content on a consistent basis for this client, you might just need a little help. The following are a few hacks to get that writing done for... [...]

Jeremy Goldman says, “I see it time and time again: Stellar content marketers spend so much time developing great content for their brands that they don’t spend enough time thinking of their own brand. While Instagram, Snapchat, and many others are great platforms, LinkedIn is the single best tool you have at your disposal to build your own brand. (highlight to tweet) I want to shed light on LinkedIn’s top personal brand-building features: 1. Comment on Your LinkedIn Feed Your connections are posting articles, commenting on the activity of others, and starting group discussions—and... [...]

Ann Smarty says, “Being a writer today has its ups and downs. On one hand, we have a very different process involved in becoming well known for our works; and a great deal of the PR efforts that once would have gone to an official publishing house now rests on our shoulders. On the other, we have an infinite number of tools, publishing platforms, and increased global visibility at our fingertips. Our success is entirely within our own hands, and that is an empowering aspect of writing today that only increases as the years pass and the rules change. Another benefit is the ability to collaborate.... [...]

Yoav Vilner says, “If we take a quick glimpse into the crystal ball, we see a future of content marketing less about the impact of words and more about the experiencescreated for the consumer. Traditional content has flooded the Internet and is starting to feel stale. Admit it – how often do you find yourself briefly skimming an article only to move on within seconds to something new? Brands are coming to terms with this reality, fostering tools that engage their audiences in an activity – answering quizzes, watching clips, or exploring scenarios. It’s the perfect way to capture the... [...]

Ben Davis says, “If one of your team is new to content writing, what are the potential pitfalls? I’ve been writing articles for Econsultancy for a few years and although I certainly don’t profess to be an expert, there are a few things I look out for. In fact, I still get caught out, which is why creating a list like this is a good way to encourage vigilance. 1. Beware common grammatical errors Know when to use ‘less than’ and when to use ‘fewer than’. Here’s a guide. Remember that ‘Coca-Cola is launching a campaign’ (a brand is singular). Check... [...]

Carly Stec says, “Who doesn’t love free stuff? If I can find a free tool to do something I’d otherwise have to pay for in my marketing, I’m going to try the free one first. As long as I can achieve the same quality result from the free tool, there’s no need to waste budget. And in my quest to find alternatives to fancy computer programs, I’ve come across a lot of free tools that help take my marketing up a notch. In particular, I’ve adopted a ton of free tools for creating visual content that don’t cost my team a dime. From templates to... [...]

Matt Cooper says, “Name any of the most highly regarded data visualizations offered in the last half decade and there’s no doubt the most stunning examples involved intricate design and elaborate storytelling. Take The New Yorker’s wonderfulInequality and New York’s Subwayinteractive graphic as an example: You can toggle through each subway line and hover over each stop to see the neighborhood’s median household income and compare it to the incomes along the other stops on that line“. How to Craft Visual Content for a Mobile Audience Content Marketing Institute  [...]

Lindsay Kolowich says, “Gearing up to create your next piece of marketing content? If you want it to stand out from the rest of the noise on the internet, you have to be focused on producing something both delightful and engaging. That said, there’s some planning to be done before you jump right in. What’s the purpose of this piece? Where can you fit in credible data and examples? Who’s gonna edit it once you’ve written — and rewritten — your draft? How do you plan to spread the word about it so, you know, people actually read it? You need a strategy. To... [...]