Seven Things I’ve Learned at Content Marketing World (So Far)

I’ve attended a lot of conferences throughout my career (and in fact, I worked in conference services at one point).  So I’ve seen it all, and most conferences have a few things in common: rubber chicken, freezing meeting rooms, boring power point presentations, and disengaged attendees.

That’s not what’s happening at Content Marketing World (well, except for maybe the freezing meeting rooms).  This is the most energetic, interesting, and useful conference I’ve ever attended.

Orange is everywhere

Here’s what I am taking away from day one:

• Create content that will fascinate.  That’s what Sally Hogshead had to say, and she’s right.  She said that companies should “find a way to create a relationship that is instantly captivating” for customers or potential customers.  Her keynote was more than a little inspiring, sort of like laying on your therapist’s couch, and gave me a lot to chew on.

• David Meerman Scott was funny and engaging.  The takeaway from his keynote?  There is value in real-time communication.  Not ‘later on’ communication after meetings and lawyers and edits and approvals and lots of time.  Communicate now about what’s happening now with your customers.  And be human when you do it.

• Some people might think there’s orange overkill going on here, but not me.  Trust me, when you work at Digital Relativity, you better really like orange.

• The best stories come from the people who work for you and the people who buy from you.  Involve them.  Go to them for content.

• I heard the word ‘authenticity’ in every single session I attended today.  Be real and be honest.  Your customers can see right through the BS.

• Tad Carper from the Cleveland Cavaliers said that “Every brand has an obligation to listen more than market.”  It’s so simple, and so, so true.

• Marcus Sheridan is hilarious.  But better than that, he’s got a great story to tell and he tells it in a way we can all understand.  Of course I would expect any fellow WVU grad to be down to earth and interesting, so it doesn’t come as a surprise, really.  Plus, I think he’s making ‘daggone’ a catchphrase, and I can definitely get on board with that.