On Words and Business

A very smart man just told me about his belief in successive approximation. He was talking about manufacturing, but the concept holds true for a lot of things, like some aspects of marketing and communications.

You do or create something based on the knowledge you have at the time. It might not be perfect, but that’s okay. Later, you gain more knowledge, so you are able to create something better. It might not be perfect either, but that’s okay.

The point is that you do what you can, you create the content you can, with the knowledge you have at the time. Don’t worry if the idea or concept isn’t perfect (the spelling and grammar should be, though!). You can fix it later if it needs fixing or replace it with something else.

Things to be thankful for this holiday…

• The family and friends who support me and my business every day
• The clients and prospects who remind me with their dedication, insight, and wit why I like what I do
• Social media, especially LinkedIn, that enables me to stay connected to colleagues, friends, and business partners

What are you and your business thankful for?

The theme this week at Alley424 world headquarters: taming fierce beasts, big and small.

If the ferocious critter you fear is content, here are some hints about not only surviving but thriving!

1. You’re probably already doing it. Have a blog or a newsletter? Bingo, you’re one step closer.
2. Use what you have and don’t fret about everything being brand new. Shazam, you’re another step closer.
3. Video isn’t as hard as you think it is. Yee ha. You’re almost there.
4. Creating content builds on itself. Be imaginative with what you have, and you’ve taken the final step. Bravo!

Now, doesn’t this particular beast seem a little smaller and less intimidating?

Thanks to Mark Snodgrass and this post on MarketingProfs.

How well do financial services companies share content?

This post of mine over at the Content Marketing Institute takes a look at three sites and examines what they do well and where there is room for improvement.

As discussed in today’s Content Marketing Institute blog post, here are a few key things to look for to find a content marketing consultant you can work with successfully:

• Proven experience or ability to build experience in new industries
• Trustworthiness
• Ability to tell the hard truths

What do you think is most important in identifying a consultant? Is anything missing from this list?

Here is an interesting article about the University of Southern Mississippi’s award winning branding efforts.

Key takeaways:

• Listen to stakeholders
• Set objectives
• Be authentic
• Don’t make abrupt changes. These things take time.
• Trust–your instincts and your team