Content Marketing World is an educational event attended by the leading content marketers in the world. The keynote speakers are the best of the best and have the resumes to show for it, too. This year, I was most looking forward to hearing three speakers in particular because of what I’ve learned through their podcasts, online training and personal experience as a co-op member. Jay Acunzo, Robert Rose and Eric Hess with REI did not disappoint!
Attending conferences can be overwhelming and even daunting, but when you’re with 4,000 Content Marketers, everyone has an interesting story to tell, and there is an open, honest and friendly vibe. Because the information shared is vast, I took the advice of Joe Pulizzi, founder of CMI, and made a takeaway list from each specific session I attended, along with a to-do list of what I can accomplish quickly. It also helped to tweet my thoughts on the sessions in real time. In case you weren’t able to follow along, I’ve captured some of my favorites below. I welcome and look forward to any questions you may have to explore.
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">A subscriber is a wonderful, addressable audience. You can add value ($) to attain and retain them. <a href="https://twitter.com/Robert_Rose">@Robert_Rose</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/CMWorld?src=hash">#CMWorld</a></p>— Lisa Wester (@WesterLisa) <a href="https://twitter.com/WesterLisa/status/905537383986331648">September 6, 2017</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Having a formal written document content strategy makes it real. Those that have it (36%) are most successful. <a href="https://twitter.com/Robert_Rose">@Robert_Rose</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/CMWorld?src=hash">#CMWorld</a></p>— Lisa Wester (@WesterLisa) <a href="https://twitter.com/WesterLisa/status/905124399484948481">September 5, 2017</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Media has to be an owned business strategy as we move to 2020. It’s hard to create great content. <a href="https://twitter.com/Robert_Rose">@Robert_Rose</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/thestruggleisreal?src=hash">#thestruggleisreal</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/cmworld?src=hash">#cmworld</a></p>— Lisa Wester (@WesterLisa) <a href="https://twitter.com/WesterLisa/status/905121049288876036">September 5, 2017</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Audiences gather because of an anticipated experience. People subscribe for the anticipated content they will receive <a href="https://twitter.com/Robert_Rose">@Robert_Rose</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/CMWorld?src=hash">#CMWorld</a></p>— Lisa Wester (@WesterLisa) <a href="https://twitter.com/WesterLisa/status/905143896421818368">September 5, 2017</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">There are no secrets. There is only hard work. We have to stop obsessing over everyone else's answers for us and answer our own. <a href="https://twitter.com/jayacunzo">@jayacunzo</a></p>— Lisa Wester (@WesterLisa) <a href="https://twitter.com/WesterLisa/status/905425885054083072">September 6, 2017</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">"The only secret is there are no secrets." <a href="https://twitter.com/jayacunzo">@jayacunzo</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/CMWORLD?src=hash">#CMWORLD</a> <a href="https://t.co/IRl9hxUlmt">pic.twitter.com/IRl9hxUlmt</a></p>— Erika Heald (@SFerika) <a href="https://twitter.com/SFerika/status/905425776664825856">September 6, 2017</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">"When we question conventional thinking using our own context, we make better decisions." <a href="https://twitter.com/jayacunzo">@jayacunzo</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/CMWorld?src=hash">#CMWorld</a></p>— Lisa Wester (@WesterLisa) <a href="https://twitter.com/WesterLisa/status/905420200090247168">September 6, 2017</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Don't cry about your creative constraints. Embrace them! Your content will be better for it. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/CMWorld?src=hash">#CMWorld</a> <a href="https://t.co/0nA4LCRQnK">pic.twitter.com/0nA4LCRQnK</a></p>— Erika Heald (@SFerika) <a href="https://twitter.com/SFerika/status/905425332571955200">September 6, 2017</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">.<a href="https://twitter.com/davidbeebe">@davidbeebe</a> "Content Marketing is like a first date. If all you do is talk about yourself, there won't be a second." <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/CMWorld2017?src=hash">#CMWorld2017</a></p>— GoAnimate (@GoAnimate) <a href="https://twitter.com/GoAnimate/status/905890933991931907">September 7, 2017</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Start with an inspiration - connect the dots between your idea and your brand. <a href="https://twitter.com/CarlaJohnson">@CarlaJohnson</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/CMWorld?src=hash">#CMWorld</a>.</p>— Lisa Wester (@WesterLisa) <a href="https://twitter.com/WesterLisa/status/905514631359234053">September 6, 2017</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Drawn live: <a href="https://twitter.com/jaybaer">@jaybaer</a>’s brilliant strategies for getting promoted by creating less content, not more <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/cmworld?src=hash">#cmworld</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/keynoteinks?src=hash">#keynoteinks</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/contentmarketing?src=hash">#contentmarketing</a> <a href="https://t.co/YhwZWkbl3p">pic.twitter.com/YhwZWkbl3p</a></p>— Kingman Ink (@KingmanInk) <a href="https://twitter.com/KingmanInk/status/906147674814074882">September 8, 2017</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">"Show up as a person, never as a big company" <a href="https://twitter.com/lindaboff">@lindaboff</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/CMWorld?src=hash">#CMWorld</a> <a href="https://t.co/iT4raKjnM6">pic.twitter.com/iT4raKjnM6</a></p>— megan conley (@megconley) <a href="https://twitter.com/megconley/status/905411951207088129">September 6, 2017</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">"Be direct, be thorough, be efficient, be effective, but don't be boring" <a href="https://twitter.com/REI">@REI</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/HessInSeattle">@HessinSeattle</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/CMWorld?src=hash">#CMWorld</a></p>— Lisa Wester (@WesterLisa) <a href="https://twitter.com/WesterLisa/status/905818889996697600">September 7, 2017</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Congratulations <a href="https://twitter.com/REI">@REI</a> for Content Marketer of the Year. As a loyal co-op member and follower, I have a ton of brand envy for you. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/CMWorld?src=hash">#CMWorld</a>.</p>— Lisa Wester (@WesterLisa) <a href="https://twitter.com/WesterLisa/status/905531145261117443">September 6, 2017</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Write for humans, using their language. <a href="https://twitter.com/REI">@REI</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/HessInSeattle">@HessinSeattle</a></p>— Lisa Wester (@WesterLisa) <a href="https://twitter.com/WesterLisa/status/905817714928836609">September 7, 2017</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Excited to add to my vendor t-shirt collection. Comfy and adds extra inspiration when creating 😁 <a href="https://twitter.com/klipfolio">@klipfolio</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/CMWorld?src=hash">#CMWorld</a> <a href="https://t.co/yXg25mRuKK">pic.twitter.com/yXg25mRuKK</a></p>— Lisa Wester (@WesterLisa) <a href="https://twitter.com/WesterLisa/status/905487778678538246">September 6, 2017</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">"Pay more attention to your customer than your industry ...and your customer will pay more attention to you."<a href="https://twitter.com/jayacunzo">@jayacunzo</a> at <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/CMWorld?src=hash">#CMWorld</a></p>— Andy Crestodina (@crestodina) <a href="https://twitter.com/crestodina/status/905420904502624256">September 6, 2017</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">"If you lose humanity in your work, you lose creativity altogether." - <a href="https://twitter.com/hitRECordJoe">@hitrecordjoe</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/CMWorld?src=hash">#CMWorld</a> <a href="https://t.co/D6Cmjo5cYU">pic.twitter.com/D6Cmjo5cYU</a></p>— Content Marketing (@CMIContent) <a href="https://twitter.com/CMIContent/status/908450319079759873">September 14, 2017</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Never forget Radio Station WIIFM — What's In It for Me? <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Con2com?src=hash">#Con2com</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/CMworld?src=hash">#CMworld</a> <a href="https://t.co/6RMGrkpsH5">https://t.co/6RMGrkpsH5</a></p>— Erika Heald (@SFerika) <a href="https://twitter.com/SFerika/status/905881137146454020">September 7, 2017</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Intuition is powered by the possibilities you question. It's you thinking creatively and for yourself. <a href="https://twitter.com/jayacunzo">@jayacunzo</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/CMWorld?src=hash">#CMWorld</a></p>— Lisa Wester (@WesterLisa) <a href="https://twitter.com/WesterLisa/status/905421843066126338">September 6, 2017</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>