#27: Has Freelancing Made Me a Better Content Marketer? 3 Quick Thoughts

Ad: No more not knowing who’s coming to your website, convert more leads and get your free Leadfeeder extended premium trial here.In this episode of the Content Marketing Commute, recorded in beautiful Ajaccio, Corsica, I share some thoughts on creating quality content.Reflecting on discussions from the previous episode with SEO expert Tom Winters, my focus is on defining and measuring quality content.Fo me, so much of figuring out what 'quality' means for your audience is in really embracing qualitative feedback.The quantitative stuff will only tell you so much.Additionally, I provide tips on leveraging internal expertise to produce engaging and authoritative content for target audiences.Want to see the sights as well as hear the sounds of this episode? Check out the full video here: https://youtu.be/08sYWHdajmE00:00 Welcome to Content Marketing Commute from Ajaccio00:41 Recap of Last Week's Episode with Tom Winters01:39 Lessons from Napoleon Bonaparte for Content Marketers (yes it's cringe, and it's also a joke!)03:28 The Importance of Creating Quality Content05:50 Measuring Quality Content: Qualitative vs Quantitative12:35 Leveraging Subject Matter Experts for Quality Content18:16 Final Thoughts and Upcoming AnnouncementsFollow Joe on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joesweeney1/. I mention in the episode that I have a big announcement coming up, which is going to impact the podcast, so follow me on LinkedIn to get it straight from the horses mouth in the next few days!In this episode, I also mention a tool called Rockee - a tool for content marketers being built by the legend that is Matt Laybourn. Check it out! Get full access to Content Marketing Commute at www.contentmarketingcommute.com/subscribe

Ad: No more not knowing who’s coming to your website, convert more leads and get your free Leadfeeder extended premium trial here.Uncover the latest SEO trends and the future of AI in content marketing. Tom Winter from SEOwind joins me to share insights on the recent Google leak, zero-click search, and his "Cyborg Method" for combining human expertise with AI. Discover how to stay ahead in the ever-evolving SEO landscape.Follow Tom on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tom-winter/ Follow Joe on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joesweeney1/ Here is a link to more detail on the Google algorithm leak from Rand Fishkin: https://sparktoro.com/blog/an-anonymous-source-shared-thousands-of-leaked-google-search-api-documents-with-me-everyone-in-seo-should-see-them/ We also mentioned Trish Seidel on this episode, without whom we would never have got connected! Follow here on LinkedIn here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/trish-seidel-marketing-big-sister/ Get full access to Content Marketing Commute at www.contentmarketingcommute.com/subscribe

Ad: No more not knowing who’s coming to your website, convert more leads and get your free Leadfeeder extended premium trial here.In this episode, I take a very warm lunchtime walk in the sweltering August heat of the South of France. I reflect on last week's interview with Lynn Heidmann from Dataiku - and one specifically hard truth for B2B marketers to swallow: No one is waking up thinking about your brand.So what's the answer?I offer 3 quick thoughts:1. Shift your mindset to align with reality2. Focus on pain points rather than pushing products3. Go all in on entertainment---00:00 Introduction to Content Marketing Commute 01:06 A Walk in the South of France 01:58 About Last Week: Product Marketing Insights 03:36 Key Takeaways from Last Week's Episode 04:28 Understanding B2B Customer Mindset 06:28 Practical Tips for B2B Marketers 10:49 The Power of Entertainment in B2B Marketing 13:40 Conclusion and Call to Action---Follow me on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joesweeney1/ Get full access to Content Marketing Commute at www.contentmarketingcommute.com/subscribe

Ad: No more not knowing who’s coming to your website, convert more leads and get your free Leadfeeder extended premium trial here.While I can’t promise Lady Gaga featured in this week’s episode, the beautiful Seine River in Paris offered a great backdrop for my conversation with Lynn Heineman from Dataiku.Did you catch the rain-soaked spectacle of the Olympics opening ceremony?In this episode, Lynn and I walk some of the same route, on her commute to work, talking product marketing.Want to see the sights as well as hear the sounds of this episode? Check out the full video here: https://youtu.be/m33E5FdmHL4?si=2RmunC99F2g8DoIOAnd while there were no robotic horses floating down the river and Zizou was nowhere to be seen, the good news was it wasn’t raining!And it was a great chat where we explored the often-overlooked synergy between product and content marketing.It's like two puzzle pieces; they fit together perfectly, but only when they understand each other.Just as a captivating Olympic story needs a perfect blend of visuals and narrative, our marketing efforts are more powerful when product and content teams work in harmony.Lynn, with her experience in both worlds (she leads both Product Marketing and Content Marketing at Dataiku in Paris), sheds light on the challenges and rewards of this collaboration.From understanding diverse audiences to aligning brand narrative with product features, her insights are gold for marketers aiming to create a cohesive customer journey.So, grab your headphones and join us on this Parisian adventure as we uncover the secrets to effective product and content marketing.Follow Lynn on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lynn-heidmann-47780912/Follow Joe on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joesweeney1/ Get full access to Content Marketing Commute at www.contentmarketingcommute.com/subscribe

Ad: No more not knowing who’s coming to your website, convert more leads and get your free Leadfeeder extended premium trial here.In this episode of Content Marketing Commute, I'm joined by Pierre Seillier, Founder of Newtn, to take listeners on an informative walk through beautiful Parc de Sceaux on the outskirts of Paris.We explore the concept of content operations, detailing what it means, its importance, and how to execute it effectively. Pierre shares his journey and experience from his time leading marketing in France for Agorapulse, highlighting the common content management challenges that inspired him to build Newtn. These include content duplication, auditing, and tracking ROI. He also delves into the future of content marketing with AI, the significance of repurposing content, and the evolving landscape of digital marketing channels like TikTok and LinkedIn. Throughout the conversation, Pierre offers actionable advice for content marketers, emphasizing adaptation to new tools and technologies to stay ahead in the industry.Hope you enjoy it!If you'd like to see the sights, as well as hear the sounds of this episode, check out the full video here: https://youtu.be/zU_N_kfr6nk00:00 Introduction to Content Marketing Commute01:03 Meet Pierre Sellier: Founder of Newton02:24 Exploring Content Operations04:25 Challenges in Content Management12:01 The Concept of Frankenstack15:02 Efficient Content Operations17:21 Repurposing and Recycling Content21:21 Leveraging AI for Content Management26:00 The Importance of Content Distribution28:31 Adapting to SEO Changes and AI30:39 Navigating New Social Media Platforms35:33 Challenges in Measuring Content ROI42:29 The Evolution of Marketing Strategies51:42 Final Thoughts and Future of AI in Marketing Get full access to Content Marketing Commute at www.contentmarketingcommute.com/subscribe

Ad: No more not knowing who’s coming to your website, convert more leads and get your free Leadfeeder extended premium trial here.In this episode of Content Marketing Commute, Joe explores the idea of building a strong and distinct brand identity by embracing controversy and not trying to please everyone.He reflects on a previous interview with Max Gayler, Senior Content Strategist at Claap, who discussed the concept of creating a polarizing brand character. Joe also cites examples from Ryanair's social media strategy and insights from marketing guru Seth Godin. This episode is a deep dive into the power of being unapologetically different to attract dedicated fans and create a memorable brand.00:00 Introduction to Content Marketing Commute01:06 A Beautiful Day in Provence01:43 Reflecting on Last Week's Episode02:39 Interview with Max Gayler03:22 The Power of a Contrarian Brand05:26 Ryanair's Bold Branding Strategy08:25 Seth Godin's Marketing Wisdom11:06 Final Thoughts and Takeaways11:23 Closing RemarksWatch the full video of this episode here: https://youtu.be/FyWfB8zXS4oCheck out the Super Fun Marketing Podcast (mentioned in this episode): https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-super-fun-marketing-podcast/id1731958693Follow Joe on LinkedIn here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joesweeney1/ Get full access to Content Marketing Commute at www.contentmarketingcommute.com/subscribe

Ad: No more not knowing who’s coming to your website, convert more leads and get your free Leadfeeder extended premium trial here.In this episode of Content Marketing Commute, I take a walk through Barcelona with Max Gayler, Senior Content Strategist at Claap, to discuss humor and influencer marketing in B2B.Max shares insights on creating funny, memorable content through his alter ego 'Ken Bleacher,' and the evolution of Claap's marketing from traditional approaches to more engaging, comedic strategies.We delve into the importance of being different in a saturated market and how originality and contrarian viewpoints can make a brand stand out. Tune in for practical advice, creative strategies, and a glimpse into the life of a content marketer in Europe.00:00 Introduction to Content Marketing Commute01:00 Today's Episode: Comedy and Influencer Marketing in B2B02:39 Meet Max Gayler: Senior Content Strategist at Claap04:35 The Birth of Ken Bleacher12:57 Contrarian Marketing and Brand Identity13:34 Exploring Barcelona and Marketing Insights20:27 Backwards Segment: Rant on B2B Marketing21:11 The Hypocrisy in B2B Marketing21:14 The Problem with Reheating Ideas21:29 LinkedIn Culture and Originality23:45 Competitor Analysis and Influencer Marketing24:35 The Role of Influencers in B2B25:13 Personal Profiles as Marketing Tools26:12 Challenges in Social Media Marketing27:40 Influencer Marketing Strategies28:22 Creating Engaging Content29:30 The Evolution of Content Marketing31:34 Practical Tips for Filming and Editing35:26 YouTube and LinkedIn Strategies39:41 The Importance of Creativity and Feedback43:46 Future Plans for Ken Bleacher44:24 Conclusion and Final ThoughtsWatch the full video of this episode here: https://youtu.be/93h_DkY2-4E?si=oKCjKTF3BgVm9o5tFind out more about Claap here: https://www.claap.io/Follow Max on LinkedIn here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/max-gayler-journ/Follow Ken Bleacher on LinkedIn here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ken-bleacher-99837727b/Follow Joe on LinkedIn here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joesweeney1/ Get full access to Content Marketing Commute at www.contentmarketingcommute.com/subscribe

Ad: No more not knowing who’s coming to your website, convert more leads and get your free Leadfeeder extended premium trial here.In this episode of Content Marketing Commute, I take a break from the usual format to reflect on my six-month freelancing journey and its impact on my skills as a content marketer.I discuss key insights, such as learning to sell myself and my work, the reactive nature of freelancing, and the broader experience gained across various industries.As I transition back to a full-time role, I share my thoughts on balancing short-term wins with long-term strategy and the importance of continual learning.Join me for a candid and insightful conversation over coffee!Watch the full video of this episode here: https://youtu.be/QqNhCrw2eFEFollow me on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joesweeney1/00:00 Introduction and Episode Overview01:30 Reflecting on Freelancing Experience03:13 The Importance of Selling Yourself08:46 Balancing Reactivity and Proactivity12:46 Broadening Experience Through Freelancing15:01 Conclusion and Future Plans Get full access to Content Marketing Commute at www.contentmarketingcommute.com/subscribe

Ad: No more not knowing who’s coming to your website, convert more leads and get your free Leadfeeder extended premium trial here.Welcome to this week’s episode of Content Marketing Commute, where I was in Paris to speak with Yannig Roth - former CMO and now Founder and CEO of Hirondo.Hirondo is a super cool, newly-minted freelance collective that deliver outstanding results to their clients. I would know because I am part of it!Yannig and I worked together on a project not too long ago and when I was thinking of doing an episode on how to become a freelancer, I knew it was Yannig I had to interview!Freelancing is becoming a more and more popular option for us content marketers. Gone are the days when you signed up for a job for life - these days we have options! And freelancing is a fantastic one. Freedom to choose the work you want to do, freedom to pick your hours (if you’re smart) and much more.But this career choice also comes with some serious challenges. I’ve been a freelancer for just around 7 months now and boy, being your own sales person is fun at first but the fun wears off after a while!Yannig emphasizes in this episode that freelancing wasn't always his plan—he kind of stumbled into it. Yet, it has offered him a sense of freedom and the opportunity to bring his own twist to his work. Hirondo, the collective he founded, emerged as a solution for companies that needed expert freelancers without the risk and cost of full-time hires.I hope you enjoy the episode!If you'd like to see the sights of Montmarte as we walk, watch the full video of the interview here: https://youtu.be/Umq1Ys1b9dcFollow Yannig on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/yannig-roth-59793024/Follow Joe on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joesweeney1/Discover more about Hirondo: https://hirondo.co/ Get full access to Content Marketing Commute at www.contentmarketingcommute.com/subscribe

Ad: No more not knowing who’s coming to your website, convert more leads and get your free Leadfeeder extended premium trial here.Today we're doing something a little different. We're kicking off a new series called "The Sit Down" where we delve deeper into topics with past guests.First up, the ever-insightful Lindsay King (remember her from Episode 9?) returns for a relaxed chat. Lindsay's a B2B branding and startup marketing pro with experience across big brands like Uber and n26, and agencies too.In this episode, we unpack the world of B2B audience building, exploring:Why B2B needs to go beyond the sale: We'll discuss why building an audience should be a top priority for B2B companies.Building your B2B fan club: Discover practical strategies to cultivate a loyal following for your business.Turning fans into revenue: Learn how a well-nurtured audience can translate into future financial success.Ready to take your B2B strategy to the next level? Watch the full video here: https://youtu.be/6h6isgtVYMcConnect with Joe on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joesweeney1/Connect with Lindsay on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lindsayking88/ Get full access to Content Marketing Commute at www.contentmarketingcommute.com/subscribe