Deborah Brody Marketing Communications Percolating Creative Ideas * * * June 8, 2016 Summertime! Happy Almost-Official-Summer! Since the last ne

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Deborah Brody Marketing Communications

Percolating Creative Ideas


June 8, 2016
Summertime!

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20160524 092734

Blooms galore, 2016

Happy Almost-Official-Summer!

Since the last newsletter, I’ve had the chance to work on several new client projects, including message development, content creation, and editing. I’ve also had a chance to attend some great events. On the personal interest side, I got to hear from the renowned historian, David McCullough (that would be an entire newsletter by itself). And on the business side, Content Strategy: DC (CSDC) hosted a seminar featuring Hilary Marsh, who I’ve been following on Twitter for some time, to discuss the management of the “content ecosystem.” Below you’ll find an overview of content strategy inspired by her presentation.

On the blog, the On Writing series has been going strong. The last interview was with Mr. Media Training himself, Brad Phillips. Brad tells us that Twitter has helped tighten his writing. You can read all he had to say here. Jay Morris, an independent PR professional based in Northern Virginia also shared his thoughts. He thinks practice is the key to better writing. Read more here.

If you need help with your content creation or message development, please get in touch. I'd be happy to work with you.

Finally, here’s to enjoying all summer has to offer!

Cheers,
Deborah

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What’s your content strategy?

If you are using any type of communications platform, be it a website or a Facebook page, you already have a content strategy, even if it is not formalized or complex. You’ve already decided what content is suited to that platform. Basically, you’ve taken content and delivered it to your audience.

Every organization, big or small, has content. Content is information available in various formats: text, images, videos, graphics, etc. It may be an article written about the organization, an infographic, or a video of a presentation.

Very simply, a content strategy is the management (planning, creating, delivering) of that content.

According to Hilary Marsh, founder of Content Company, a crucial part of your content strategy is putting your audience first. What are the members of your audience interested in? What information do they need? How can they best access the information? Hilary Marsh says, rightly so, that your audience doesn’t care about your organizational chart or your internal goals or priorities. Your audience only wants to be able to find the information they need to learn something or to make a decision.

There are a lot of great resources for you to check out if you are looking to formalize your content strategy. Usability.gov has Content Strategy Basics. Another fantastic resource is the Content Marketing Institute. I also recommend searching out your local content strategy or development groups on Meetup.com, which are usually free and can provide lots of useful information and networking.

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Communications tip: Beware of copyright

You should be aware of the two major issues regarding copyright and content:

1) Do you own the copyright to your content?

2) Do you have the legal right to use the content?

The first involves copyrighting your own work/content. You may find information on U.S. Copyright Office about what needs copyright and what does not, and how copyright protects your intellectual property. The second is trickier because it involves the “fair use” of copyrighted material. “Fair use” allows you to use copyrighted material in some cases. You can access a handy Fair Use Checklist here.

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Let's work together!

Deborah Brody Marketing Communications services:

Writing and copy editing of marketing/communications materials
Communications and social media consulting
Communications and social media audits
Customized blog training and workshops

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