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Why Pre-Written Content Calendars Don’t Work (and What to Do Instead)

I was googling recently to see what kind of content is out there around how to create a content calendar, and I got an ad for something that offers “525,000+ pre-written posts” in a content calendar.

Um. Whut.

Let’s leave aside the fact that, if you were to use one of those posts per day, that’s more than 1,400 YEARS worth of content… (Why does anyone need that much?)

And instead focus on the fact that pre-written content calendars rarely work the way you might want them to — and why.

Pre-written content calendars sound …

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A black and white photo of an old-fashioned microphone. A red bar over the image has the title of the post.

5 Elements to Include in Your Brand Voice Guidelines (So It Really Sounds Like You)

Before you try to outsource any marketing or copywriting for your business, one of the most important foundational pieces you need are brand voice guidelines or a brand voice style guide. Yet it’s a piece I almost always find that my clients are missing.

If you intend to let anyone else speak for your brand — be that a team member or a contractor — it’s important to take that extra step to start defining your brand voice so that they can do so more easily.

And, side note: if you’ve …

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A vintage photo of three women dressed in vintage cheerleading outfits lean on huge conical megaphones. Overlaid is the title, "Who do you need on your content marketing team for your small business?"

Who Do You Need on Your Content Marketing Team for Your Small Business?

When I Google “Who do you need on your content marketing team?” the top results are fine, but most of them list six, seven — even nine roles you need for a “core” marketing team.

That’s all well and good if you have a business making millions and can support a team that size.

But what if you have a small business or are even a solo entrepreneur — then who do you need on your content marketing team?

Content marketing team roles in a small business

Chances are, if you’re thinking about outsourcing some or …

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Image reads "How to Create a Digital Content Strategy For Your Small Business" on a red banner over a black and white image of chess pieces on a digital chessboard.

How to Create a Digital Content Strategy For Your Small Business

At its most basic, this is what I do for small businesses: I help them create a digital content strategy that will get them closer to their business goals.

But before you’re ready to work with someone to create a digital content strategy for your business, you may have some questions about what it is and how we go about creating a strategy that’s customized for your business, your goals, and your ideal customers.

What is a digital content strategy?

So let’s start here: A digital content strategy is a group of tactics …

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