Stepping Further into Content
In my previous blog entry, I talked about my perspective on content, what content is appealing to me, and how to create & maintain good content through the lens of a content strategist. Now that I have given a general overview of what content is to me, I am diving even deeper. Let’s consider the following.
Has there or has there not been a change to the concepts and practice of content strategy within the past 15 years?
In an informative video about content strategy vs. content tactics, Catherine Toole, the founder of the digital content agency Sticky Content, says that having a good content strategy is all about balance. It should take the user’s needs and what they want to consume combined with the needs of the business.
While the methods of delivery for content are subject to change, the basis of this idea itself remains unchanged. The earliest forms of content and how it is consumed are vastly different than what they are today. For instance, social media is a widely used method to create and engage with content, but this was not the case 20 years ago. An article by Shelley Crick suggests that “although the concept of content strategy hasn’t really changed in 15 years, the practice of getting good quality content to the right people, at the right time, through the right devices has. And it will continue to do so, especially when whatever comes after the internet makes its way into the world.”
So while it may seem like our content strategy development process has vastly changed, it really hasn’t. The main goal of mutually benefitting your audience and your business is what makes content strategy, and that has always remained the same.
Why are ‘budget, buy-in, and preparing for success’ so important in developing a content strategy?
These concepts are all vital in creating a strategy for content. Meghan Casey, author of The Content Strategy Toolkit discusses these topics in more depth and how they can help form the best content strategy.
The first step in any content project is proving to your organization that your idea is valid and necessary. This typically starts with identifying problems with current content. Once you can determine these issues, “you can translate these problems into business opportunities” (Casey 3) which will ideally help your business succeed.
Ensuring that you have sufficient funds, resources, and connections is the key to creating a successful content strategy and thus a successful business. Talking to the right people outside and behind the scenes is a good way to get multiple perspectives on a business model and the types of content to create. The content you are looking to create will depend on how you approach your strategy, who you reach out to, and what kind of research you should do.
Having the appropriate budget and stakeholders behind you in the process is crucial in preparing for success in a content strategy.