Latest news with #contentmarketing
Forbes
2 days ago
- Business
- Forbes
4 Ways To Contribute To Your Blog When You're Tired Of Writing
Peter Boyd is an attorney and the Founder of PaperStreet. He has successfully helped 2,000 law firms with their websites and marketing. For small-business owners, writing blog posts each month can start to feel like a chore, especially if writing isn't your thing. On the days when you're staring at the screen and nothing good is coming to mind, it's okay to take a break. You don't have to write. But you should keep contributing to your content marketing in some way. I've put together a few ideas to help you still put in the effort while honoring the fact that your brain just isn't in a writing mood. (Hey, it happens to all of us. We can't be creative geniuses 100% of the time.) 1. Refresh An Old Blog Post Look through your site and find a blog post that's gotten a lot of views. Then update it. Add 'Updated 2025' to the post title and title tag. Refresh the content—make sure it's accurate, relevant and optimized. Maybe add a few new lines, replace any outdated links or swap in a new image. It's less work than writing from scratch and can still boost your SEO. 2. Make Some Artwork If writing feels like pulling teeth today, switch gears and make something visual. Many online graphic design tools are super user-friendly—even if you don't think of yourself as a designer. Create a few graphics for old blog posts, or ones you know you'll be publishing soon. Or knock out images for your next holiday campaign. Another successful effort is to take a blog post and generate an infographic from it. These might not be the most urgent tasks, but they are still productive and a great creative outlet. 3. Curate Instead Of Create Not everything has to be completely original content. Share a roundup of recent news, industry trends or helpful tools. Then write a quick introduction or add a short note about why you're sharing. If even that feels like too much writing, just let the links speak for themselves. You're still providing value, and your readers will appreciate it. Bonus: This strategy can help support your link-building efforts. When sharing your curated blog post on social media, be sure to tag the owner of the links you included. You could get some extra mentions from it, making this effort just as valuable as writing something new. 4. Generate Future Writing Ideas Spend time planning instead of producing. Scroll through your analytics. Poke around competitor websites. Check out what's trending on LinkedIn or even your Facebook feed. Gather inspiration from your favorite places. Jot down headline ideas. My team loves using AI to brainstorm blog topics when we're in a slump. Just Keep Showing Up Some days, writing just isn't going to happen. But that doesn't mean your content marketing has to stall. Whether you're refreshing, designing, curating or planning ahead, there are plenty of ways to stay productive (and creative) without forcing a single sentence. Honor what mood you're in, and do your best to stay on track. The most important thing isn't writing something, but rather committing to your overall strategy. No one minds if you pivot a bit. Forbes Agency Council is an invitation-only community for executives in successful public relations, media strategy, creative and advertising agencies. Do I qualify?
Fast Company
4 days ago
- Business
- Fast Company
Your ‘freedom number' might be smaller than you think
BY Anna Burgess Yang is the author of Work Better, a newsletter about the future of work, career pivots, and why work shouldn't suck. Listen to this Article More info 0:00 / 3:33 You dream of quitting a toxic job, pivoting to a new career, or starting your own business. But there's a financial reality to such a move: can you afford to earn less? In 2021, I quit a job as an executive at a tech company. I pivoted into content marketing and journalism, and, initially, I was earning about one-third of my previous salary. But I had spent months looking at our household budget, and was prepared to earn even less. When you're determined to make a change, you'll look at your finances differently. You should calculate your 'freedom number' and understand the changes you need to make in your budget. Subscribe to Work Better. Thoughts on the future of work, career pivots, and why work shouldn't suck, by Anna Burgess Yang. To learn more visit SIGN UP Keep in mind that your freedom number is not your final destination. It's a transitional change in your income to pursue the career you want. Why your freedom number matters Your freedom number is the bare minimum you need to cover your essentials: rent/mortgage, groceries, insurance, utilities, etc. It's not the same as what you're spending to support your current lifestyle. Calculating your freedom number forces you to think about what you're willing to give up—even temporarily. Let's say you're earning $100,000 today and think you need to earn $80,000. But once you go through the numbers and cut everything nonessential, you might find that the number is far below $80,000. Knowing that makes it easier to navigate a career change, because you know what you need to get by. The bare minimum is your freedom number. Closing the gap in your freedom number If you don't think you'll earn enough to cover your monthly expenses, there are ways to close the gap between your income and your freedom number. You might build up some savings and draw from that account when you make your move. Or you could supplement your income with a side hustle. advertisement When I first changed careers, I took a new full-time job and freelanced on the side. The combination of my new salary and my freelance earnings helped me reach my freedom number. It meant working in the evenings and on weekends, but it was worth it to make the change. Keep in mind that a lower income might be temporary. Within eight months of starting a new career, I took a new job at a much higher salary. I just needed to get a bit of experience on my resume, and then many more doors opened for me. As you settle into your career change and earn more, you can add back the things you enjoyed about your lifestyle. The temporary squeeze is worth it to find a freedom number that makes a lot of career options possible. Subscribe to Work Better. Thoughts on the future of work, career pivots, and why work shouldn't suck, by Anna Burgess Yang. To learn more visit SIGN UP The super-early-rate deadline for Fast Company's Most Innovative Companies Awards is Friday, July 25, at 11:59 p.m. PT. Apply today. ABOUT THE AUTHOR Anna Burgess Yang is part of the Creator Network at Fast Company, covering topics like work culture and the intersection of technology and work (including the impacts of AI).. Anna is a former tech executive who spent more than 15 years at a financial technology company, including roles as a product manager and the Director of Customer Success More
Yahoo
15-07-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
LinkedIn Shares New Report on the Value of Thought Leadership Content
This story was originally published on Social Media Today. To receive daily news and insights, subscribe to our free daily Social Media Today newsletter. LinkedIn has published a new report, in partnership with Edelman, which looks at the value of thought leadership content in encouraging buyer decisions, and how the right content approaches can have a big impact on indirect purchase decision makers. Based on survey of nearly 2,000 management-level professionals, the report primarily focuses on 'hidden buyers,' or people who play a role in purchase decisions, but are not the primary experts in that area. So for example staff from finance, legal, compliance, and/or procurement, people who have a say in purchase decisions, but are not necessarily the main targets of your outreach. Appealing to this broader audience requires a more generalized approach in some respects, which many professional firms can miss. You can download the full report here (with email sign-up), but in this post, we'll take a look at some of the key notes. First off, the data shows that thought leadership content does indeed have an impact on all decision-makers, even those not directly aligned with a business area: As you can see, hidden buyers are actively consuming expert content, so it's not just those who are knowledgeable in your field who you need to reach. In fact, it could be more important to present your content to a more general audience, as these decision makers are often not connected to your sales team. It's also more influential in many respects: But more than just direct product and/or service assessment, these hidden buyers are also measuring your approach, and what your content reflects about your business. And to maximize appeal, you need to be able to explain your thoughts and opinions in a more generally appealing way: The report provides a range of in-depth insights on each element, as well as an overview of the key findings based on this research: Essentially, you need to consider that your audience is broader than the technical experts in your niche, and look at what your content says about you and your brand, while also clearly explaining the benefits to a general reader. Some valuable notes, which could help to better align your content approach, particularly on LinkedIn. You can download the full report (with email sign-up) here. Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Forbes
10-07-2025
- Business
- Forbes
5 Types Of LinkedIn Content To Avoid Posting In 2025
5 types of LinkedIn content to avoid posting in 2025 The LinkedIn algorithm changes all the time and LinkedIn creators scramble to keep up. But it's impossible. Second-guessing will send you crazy. Tying likes and impressions to your self-worth will take up too much energy and make you sad. Instead, cover the downside. Don't fall for the pitfalls. In short: To know what works on LinkedIn, know what doesn't work on LinkedIn. Trauma-dumping masquerading as vulnerability, no thanks. Inspiration and actionable wisdom, yes please. Your expertise needs better tactics than these tired approaches that guarantee people won't see what you post. LinkedIn is trying to evolve beyond simple networking and become a sophisticated content ecosystem where only the sharpest voices cut through. It avoids spreading content that doesn't offer value or teach an audience anything new. Use this to your advantage as a professional on LinkedIn. Avoid creating content that doesn't work on LinkedIn: 5 posts to skip LinkedIn's algorithm has gotten scary good at detecting soulless content. Posts crammed with buzzwords like "synergistic solutions" and "transformative frameworks" get punished with single-digit engagement. The platform knows when you've delegated your voice to ChatGPT without adding your expertise. Your audience wants you. Long‑form posts that are likely AI‑generated receive 45% less engagement than human‑authored content. Pure AI-generated content might help you hit your posting metrics, but it won't win you long term fans. You'll know when posts sink. When there are zero comments except from other bots. No shares from actual humans. No messages from potential clients. When you post content that sounds like everyone else's AI assistant wrote it, you train your audience to ignore you. Break this pattern by putting your actual experiences, specific client results, and hard-won lessons into every post. Let AI help with structure, but the substance must be yours. LinkedIn isn't therapy, and your connections aren't counselors. 'Oversharing can have unintended consequences beyond alienating your audience; it can lead to gossip, loss of privacy, and even personal harm,' explained leadership strategist Dr Nicole Price. When you share your bankruptcy story without explaining the financial systems you built afterward, you're asking for pity instead of positioning yourself as a problem-solver. LinkedIn doesn't reward posts that don't offer timely, actionable takeaways. So share the lessons you learned on your bounce back, not wounds that still bleed and challenges you're currently facing. Transform your struggles into teaching moments or skip them entirely. Your near-death experience matters only if it led to insights that help others avoid similar disasters. Your divorce becomes valuable content when you share how you maintained business momentum during personal chaos. Otherwise, it's just what WorkLife calls 'engagement baiting.' Package your pain with purpose. Give readers tools they can use, not emotions they have to deal with. Posting "10 productivity hacks for success" in 2025 insults your audience's intelligence. These stale listicles offering advice everyone already knows create zero value. Recycled content that could have been written in 2015 says you have no substance. Your followers notice when you serve reheated leftovers instead of fresh insights. Create original frameworks based on current challenges your clients face today. Share what's working right now in your industry, not what worked five years ago. When you must use a list format, pack it with unexpected angles and contrarian takes. Give specific examples from this quarter, from your own understanding, not generic advice that applies to nobody in particular. Your content should feel urgent and timely, not like something dug up from the archives. Prospects scroll past self-serving case studies packed with industry initialisms faster than any other content type. When your post reads like a technical manual instead of a transformation story, you lose everyone except your competition. Vendor-focused content that celebrates your product features instead of client outcomes performs worse than value-driven storytelling. LinkedIn isn't your product catalog. Write case studies that make your ideal client think "that could be me." Focus on the human challenge, the specific solution, and the measurable result. Skip the technical specifications unless they directly impact the outcome. When you describe how Sarah doubled her revenue in six months, readers care about her morning routine changes, not your platform's API capabilities. Make your clients the hero, not your product. "Just closed a seven-figure deal but still feel like an imposter" fools nobody. These fake-vulnerable posts combining success stories with pretend insecurity trigger eye rolls, not engagement. Your audience sees through attempts to brag while pretending to be humble. Performative vulnerability erodes trust faster than outright boasting. Guard your reputation no matter what. It's a simple edit. Share challenges without the backdoor flex. Talk about the deal you lost and what you learned. Discuss the client who fired you and how you improved your process. Vulnerability means sharing failures without immediately pivoting to how amazing you are now. Let others celebrate your wins while you focus on providing value through genuine insights. The best LinkedIn content teaches without preaching. Create LinkedIn content that commands attention LinkedIn rewards creators who respect the platform and their relationships enough to share original thinking. So think twice before posting content that wastes your expertise and your audience's time. Stop with the AI-generated fluff. Replace trauma-dumping with transformation stories that teach. Create fresh frameworks instead of recycling dead advice. Write human-centered case studies in plain language. Drop the humble-brags for honest sharing. Master these principles and watch your LinkedIn presence transform from invisible to influential. Start by being genuinely helpful.
Entrepreneur
09-07-2025
- Business
- Entrepreneur
How to Build Thought Leadership That Fuels Growth, Earns Trust and Positions You as an Industry Leader
Follow this proven three-part formula that transforms organizational expertise into market influence through strategic research and content activation. Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own. In today's hyper-competitive marketplace, thought leadership has evolved from a marketing buzzword into a strategic business imperative. It's no longer enough to merely join the conversation — lasting advantage belongs to those who shape it. My company's recent study of 1,000 thought leadership professionals (conducted March–April 2025) found that 97% of organizations report measurable business outcomes from their thought leadership efforts. These include accelerated revenue growth, stronger customer retention, and improved partnership opportunities. And yet, after two decades of guiding organizations through thought leadership transformations, I've seen the same pattern repeat: most companies don't struggle with understanding the value of thought leadership —they struggle with operationalizing it. To bridge that gap, I developed what I call the thought leadership formula: Thought leadership is the result of combining customer-driven content, research-based insights and brand authority. Let's break down how these components work together to create lasting market influence — and how your organization can implement them. Related: Own Your Expertise — 13 Ways to Elevate Your Thought Leadership Customer-driven content: Begin with their reality, not yours The most impactful thought leadership doesn't come from internal brainstorming sessions — it starts by understanding your audience's reality. Too often, organizations produce content they want to share, rather than content their audience actually needs. This results in tone-deaf messaging and missed opportunities for relevance. According to our research, 44% of organizations that conduct proprietary research cite customer feedback as a top source of insight. That's no coincidence. The most resonant thought leadership is built on direct, ongoing feedback loops with the audience. To build customer-driven content, consider these best practices: Ask before you assume. Establish feedback channels — advisory boards, surveys and interviews — to uncover pain points that aren't always voiced. Establish feedback channels — advisory boards, surveys and interviews — to uncover pain points that aren't always voiced. Mine behavioral data. Your CRM, support logs and web analytics already contain signals about shifting priorities and persistent friction. Your CRM, support logs and web analytics already contain signals about shifting priorities and persistent friction. Study the ecosystem. Look beyond your customers to understand how industry dynamics and competitive pressures are reshaping their expectations. This audience-first mindset ensures your thought leadership addresses real-world problems, not hypothetical ones. Research-based insights: The originality imperative In an era of content overload, originality is no longer optional — it's the price of admission. The second element of the formula — research-based insights — is what sets real thought leadership apart from recycled commentary. Our data shows 78% of high-performing thought leadership programs conduct proprietary research, and they cite it as the #1 driver of differentiation. This doesn't require a large budget or an in-house research team. Successful organizations use lean, focused methods like: Targeted surveys. A short, well-crafted survey can expose critical perception gaps and spark bold points of view. A short, well-crafted survey can expose critical perception gaps and spark bold points of view. Competitive insight audits. Analyze how competitors frame key issues to uncover white space your brand can claim. Analyze how competitors frame key issues to uncover white space your brand can claim. Mixed-method research. Combine qualitative interviews with quantitative surveys for a 360-degree view of complex topics. The goal isn't just to collect data — it's to surface insight. True thought leadership reframes the conversation by challenging assumptions, not just echoing them. Brand authority: Activate across channels with intent The final component of the formula is brand authority — the strategic distribution of your insights across platforms, formats and functions. Without activation, even the most compelling insight will go unheard. Our research found that organizations produce an average of 43 thought leadership assets per year, but only a fraction are used to their full potential. The best programs orchestrate their content intentionally across multiple touchpoints. To maximize authority through activation: Match format to purpose. Use long-form reports to establish authority, short videos to drive reach, and opinion pieces to elevate your voice on urgent topics. Use long-form reports to establish authority, short videos to drive reach, and opinion pieces to elevate your voice on urgent topics. Orchestrate, don't scatter. Build multi-channel campaigns where each asset reinforces the core insight while fitting the format of the platform. Build multi-channel campaigns where each asset reinforces the core insight while fitting the format of the platform. Focus on repeatable systems. Nearly 70% of effective thought leadership teams operate with five or fewer people. Consistency comes from workflow, not headcount. The goal is not to be everywhere. It's to consistently show up where it matters most, with content that delivers value and builds trust. Related: 5 Effective Ways to Establish Yourself as a Thought Leader The execution gap: Turning a formula into impact The formula is simple, but its success depends on intentional execution. To operationalize thought leadership as a strategic function, organizations must address three key areas: Define your purpose. Go beyond general awareness. What strategic shift are you trying to drive? Do you want to reposition in a new category? Influence buying criteria? Attract executive-level talent? Align the operating model. Thought leadership cannot be treated as a side project. Small, focused teams with clear ownership consistently outperform fragmented efforts. Elevate it from marketing to business strategy. The most effective organizations treat thought leadership as a core business function — on par with product, sales, and brand — not just a marketing output. Final thought: Expertise is not enough — it's how you use it The market doesn't reward noise — it rewards clarity, consistency and contribution. The organizations that lead markets aren't necessarily the loudest or the biggest. They're the ones offering the most meaningful insights. By implementing the thought leadership formula: customer-driven content plus research-based insights plus brand authority, you move from passive commentary to market-shaping influence. And in this attention economy, that's a competitive edge no brand can afford to ignore.
