40+ tips for writing ridiculously good content

40+ TIPSFOR WRITINGRIDICULOUSLYGOOD CONTENT

#BizHeroes chat w/ @AnnHandley

Q1. Why did you write your go-toguide and can anyone really create

ridiculously good content?

A1.I wanted a writing/story guide framed for content andmarketers... not novelists or literary types. Ann Handley @AnnHandley

A1.Don't box what writing is into some category to be considered"real" writing.

Jessica E. Roberts @connect2life

A1. I have always found when I blog more often I can blog moreoften

Mack Collier @mackcollier

A1.Knowing who you're writing for is definitely important, this wayyou know what to give them.

Seven|29 @7TwentyNine

A1.YES anyone can. Good writing is more about habit and giving adamn than it is about art. #bizheroesAnn Handley @AnnHandley

A1.Anyone can create awesome content as as long as they knowwho they're writing for. Appeal to their interests.

Liliana Holloway @Liliholl

A1.I write for an hour every day. No matter what. Otherwise itwould never be a habit for me.

John Morgan @johnmorgan

A1.I sucked at blogging when I tried to create good content.. I nowfocus on sharing my insights & providing value & it’s fun!

Brian Fanzo @iSocialFanz

Q2. To create great content,marketers need to be inspired.

What sparks your contentinspiration?

A2.For me content inspiration typically comes from creatingcontent that solves a problem.

Mack Collier @mackcollier

A2.We're inspired by people who take something normal andreimagine it into something totally different. Example - the Coolest!

@OutMarket

A2.Look to your customer's questions, find a new take onsomeone else's article, hear a funny radio commercial! #bizheroes

Beth Daniell @bdaniell628

A2.My blogging is always answer questions to what is trending onthe internet, that's my inspiration #bizheroes

Luis Angel @luisangelec

A2.Answer questions, solve customer problems, read fiction, lookto analogy instead of existing examples (in other industries)

Ann Handley @annhandley

A2.Conversations just like this one. I discover what the hot topicsare & what people enjoy discussing/learning about!

Madison Jones @MadisonJonesHR

A2.Listen to the community understand what they are passionateabout and what problems they have.. Help them — #ShowUcare

Brian Fanzo @iSocialFanz

A2. I've been swimming this summer & ideas flow in the pool!

Kelly Hungerford @kdhungerford

Q3. There's a lot of 'nontent' beingproduced daily in the name of

marketing. Less might be better, butcan brands really win with less?

A3.I say yes. More if not always more. In the event of producingcontent, less is more, with quality being the more. #BizHeroes

Niclas Marie @niclas_marie

A3.With so much noise, brands are going to have to do morequality with less frequency.

Josh St. Aubin @JoshStAubin

A3.Editing comes in handy here. Edit your work so that it has aneconomy and style that conveys your messages simply andeasily. Ann Handley @annhandley

A3.Nobody pays attention to "nontent". If you're producing top-notch content that resonates, you'll win with less.

Madison Jones @MadisonJonesHR

A3.I say focus on creating great content instead of more contentthen UPCYCLE your content across all platforms!

Brian Fanzo @iSocialFanz

A3.Write to address a PIN (problem, interest or need) and yourcontent will add value

Kelly Hungerford @KDHungerford

A3.I believe that secret behind great content is to disrupt thecognitive status quo - separate yourself from the noise & herd. Fred Aubin @fm_aubin

A3.Answers to questions posted online + topics I can use ascollateral for my own sales process

Peter Woolvett @CustomerSpecs

Q4. When it comes to content formarketing what are some of the most

common mistakes marketers aremaking?

A4.Even though we say be yourself, editing is important. It doesn'thave to take away from your authenticity. #bizheroes

Seven|29 @7TwentyNine

A4: Biggest content marketing mistake is re-purposing contentwithout adding new value or insight #bizheroes

Patrick Hayslett @PatrickHayslett

A4: Not paying attention to long-form content. This is the type ofcontent I've been reading the most now.

Jessica E. Roberts @connect2life

A4: Not having pathological empathy for readers. Reframe yourcontent as a gift: What information will they THANK YOU for?

Ann Handley @annhandley

A4.You need to give yourself permission to write badly first.Embrace That Ugly First Draft (TUFD!)

Ann Handley @annhandley

A4: Content marketing mistake = trying to sell directly within thecontent - erodes trust.

@OutMarket

A4: Writing the same thing as everyone else! We're using thesame formula but we don't need the same cake!

Beth Daniell @bdaniell628

A4: Stop creating content you “think” helps the community & startlistening & engaging the community to KNOW what will help!

Brian Fanzo @iSocialFanz

Q5. What are your favorite examplesof people (or brands) creating great

content?

A5.@marketingprofs and @hubspot #bizheroes #contentmarketing

Peter Woolvett @CustomerSpecs

A5. Axe and Taco Bell are pretty stellar at short form content. TheVine, Instagram, Twitter kind.

Beth Daniell @bdaniell628

A5. I love @brainpicker and this site does some amazinginterviews @greatdiscontent

Jessica E. Roberts @connect2life

A5. Great content producers: @buffer @crowdrise @BenJerrysVT

Ann Handley @annhandley

Q6. For teams short on resources, isthere one type of content worthinvesting more heavily in than

others?

A6: Everyone is short on resources! 1. Ask: Where are yourcustomers? 2. Do one thing well vs. a thousand meh things.Ann Handley @AnnHandley

A6.If short on resources, I'd say "User Generated Content" wouldbe best bang for the buck.

Jim Canto @JimCanto

A6.That depends on your business & audience. Be "one" withthem - you'll get a feel for what content they crave.

Madison Jones @MadisonJonesHR

A6.If short on resources, find the platform most popular w/ youraudience & let their interests & its format determine content

Patrick Hayslett @PatrickHayslett

Q7. What are some tips we can beginusing today to improve our content

creation skills?

A7. Two words...burning pain. What is your customer's burningpain. Address it and do it well in the format they want.

Beth Daniell @bethdaniell628

A7: Be brave. Look for, write about and discuss open-endedproblems. Content doesn't always need to have the answer.

Patrick Hayslett @PatrickHayslett

A7. If the words aren't happening, try drawing. Bigger visualchunks help me focus on the picture of what I want to write.

Jessica E. Roberts @connect2life

A7. Be useful above all: Approach writing like teaching.

Ann Handley @annhandley

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