Wednesday, April 1, 2009

Managing Content on a Web Content Management System

Organizing content through a web content management system (CMS) is smart for companies because it enables them to manage and organize voluminous web assets, disseminate web-publishing tools to subject matter experts within the organization, and helps companies adhere to their committed web design through the use of templates and taxonomy thereby supporting the brand. In addition, it provides a workflow platform to ensure that appropriate content is reviewed and published. These CMS functions require organizations to identify roles and assignments regarding content development (governance).

Implementing an effective content management system presents a host of hidden challenges. It is not uncommon for senior managers to believe their headaches are over once a CMS is up and running. Often there is not a true appreciation of how confining a CMS tends to be, and it takes a few months of mileage to get a sense of any short comings and functions that need to be adjusted. This CMS development process occurs whether it is a proprietary or off-the-self system.

The biggest misunderstanding about a CMS is who and how many individuals need to support it. An absolute requirement is that individuals possess basic HTML and Internet production skills to maintain and enhance the CMS structure. This is because they will need to find ways to finagle the CMS templates to account for fluctuations in editorial and marketing scenarios.

To have a smooth web site operating on a continuously enhancing CMS system, you will need these basic web professionals:
  • A content manager to set standards of quality and engage SME’s and contributors
  • An editor to write and edit copy so the company's standards and brands are upheld and supported
  • A web developer who can analyze existing content and work with IT staff on enhancements
  • A graphics editor to steward a consistent visual vernacular
  • A key IT project manager to foster good partnerships 
Finally, with the right staff on board the next most important thing to have is a blank template!

Next: Content Migration


Copyright© 2009 Lule Dine All Rights Reserved.

Thursday, February 26, 2009

Signing In for Content

I advocate putting as much information as possible on a web site. It is an excellent way of displaying one’s expertise in a specific area of knowledge or industry. Truthfully if you have it, flaunt it and don’t worry too much about others taking your ideas – you’ll make more – if you’re the real thing. This approach promotes production of useful and relevant content so visitors will make your web site the first place to seek information about a particular subject. In turn it will encourage repeat traffic and thought leadership on informational web sites.

Of course there are proprietary assets and processes that really are part of intellectual property, then it is important to balance how much you share.

There are other times when it makes sense to ask visitors to do a little more to get even deeper detailed data.

From a marketing point of view, when you ask visitors to register on your secure site, take a survey or enter their personal facts make it mutually advantageous for the information seeker as well as provider. This should be content individuals would find worthwhile sharing a little bit of their own personal information for such as a white paper on a pertinent topic, an audit calculator, or customized content.

Be clear about what you are going to do with the collected material. Making visitors sign up for content gratuitously won’t be beneficial for either party and will prompt them to look elsewhere for the content anyway. After all it is the Internet.


Next: Content Management Systems


Copyright© 2009 Lule Dine All Rights Reserved.

Thursday, February 5, 2009

The Yin-Yang of Business Objectives

The main objective of your web content is to support your business objectives. The main objective of your web content is to support your customer needs. That’s right “complementary opposites within a greater whole.” Both objectives need to be accomplished and they don’t have to compete, however, the balancing act is where the art lies.

Weighing content on the side of customer needs is more strategic because customer perspectives on your offerings differ from your product managers. Customers:
  • Approach your products depending how and when they use it
  • Seek value
  • Require clarity 
Organize content and support both objectives by:
  • Thinking of your offerings as a continuum and present your content in that way. Be prepared to work across product and service lines. This will provide your business the opportunity to start bundling.
  • Generate content that will improve the customer’s knowledge and increase their value perception. This provides the business the forum to cross-market.
  • Always include customer service information at your top level. Customers will have a fast track to resolving their issues and you show how the business stands behind their products and services.
The biggest challenge will be working with different business partners and product managers. Their goal, and this is how they are compensated, is to sell their discreet product or solution -- yours will be to bring them together in a meaningful way.


Next: Sign-in content


Copyright© 2009 Lule Dine All Rights Reserved.

Wednesday, January 21, 2009

Creating an Editorial Calendar

One of the best ways to plan for content in the coming year is to establish a schedule for information you will need to publish or update. This will enable you to:
  • Keep content current and relevant
  • Organize resources based on constituent needs
  • Consolidate requests
  • Coordinate with marketing more efficiently
  • Instill healthy competition among your constituents and internal clients

Often people believe they cannot create an editorial calendar because it’s difficult to predict what requests will arise. The best way to look ahead is to look back and speak with your constituents. Probe around these topics:
  • Does your organization participate or organize trade shows, provide training or seminars, present industry forums or other types of events?
  • Is there a planned product/service/new feature launch?
  • Are there any impending regulatory or industry changes?
  • What key marketing initiatives are planned for the year?
  • Are their awards that your organization recognizes or sponsor?
  • Are you in an industry that is cyclical?

An editorial calendar can actually provide more nimbleness by allowing you to make resource changes and accommodate unplanned projects. You will have a list of content fillers and stretchers to work with. By the end of the year your editorial calendar will be established for the following year and all you need to do is update it.

Next: The yin-yang of business objectives


Copyright© 2009 Lule Dine All Rights Reserved.

Wednesday, January 7, 2009

Content Hygiene

There are some straight-forward considerations to keep in mind when developing content. The idea is to provided succinct information and offer a call to action that is always current and relevant. Be clear on the purpose of the content and integrate it with other marketing activity. Each page should be treated as an initial point of entry to your web site.

The practices below should be embedded every time you approach content and then they will become second nature:

    Title: The title sets the expectation of what the visitor will be reading.

    Image: If you include an image have it support your message and what you are trying to convey. 

    Meta tags: If you want the page properly indexed in both internal and external search engines place key word meta tags and a good meta description. Also if you don’t start here you are wasting any money going towards search engine optimization programs.

    Text: Keep it simple, short and professional. Leave clever references to your marketing activities. Do use subheadings and bullets. If the copy requires scrolling please break it up into several pages and allow the user to decide how far they wish to drill down. You can always make the full text available in a .pdf or the printable view.

    Related links: Always include links to relevant information within the site. You will be doing the user a favor by aggregating all the possible dispersed content and cross selling your offerings. Be diligent and provide meaningful and relevant links.

    Call to action: Have a goal of what you expect a user to do. For example, go to the next stage of information along the selling cycle, purchase a product/service or make a call.


Next: Creating an editorial calendar for content.


Copyright© 2009 Lule Dine All Rights Reserved.