CMWorld 2018 was all about creating moments that matter: to live in the moment, to share beautiful stories that are relevant and full of meaning and to enjoy the experiences we have been given. I trekked to Cleveland, Ohio once again to learn first hand from my Content Marketing heroes—the author’s who inspire me as I listen on my drive into work each day and those I read in my spare time.
Once again Ann Handley, Jay Acunzo, Joe Pulizzi, Robert Rose, Andy Crestodina and Jay Baer did not disappoint. This year, however, a few others had my attention tightly. DeWitt Jones specifically. His message on how to find beauty in our surroundings and how to give life a second look gave me peace and hope for a better tomorrow.
Here are a few highlights of my key takeaways in a collection of tweets.
“Marketers confuse complexity and authority ... In anything we do, we need to think about creating a story in a simpler way.” @JoeLazauskas (Hemingway wrote at a 4th grade level. 8th or higher becomes tedious. Most educated adults don’t read beyond 7th grade—or want to) #CMWorld
— Jay Acunzo (@jayacunzo) September 6, 2018
Regarding creativity and writing: "Trust your gut," says #TinaFey at #CMWorld. With @CMIContent#contentmarketing
— Buddy Scalera (@BuddyScalera) September 6, 2018
Long form content mitigates the risk of customers buying your product because they’ve got a chance to test drive who you are through your writings. @dorieclark #CMWorld
— Lisa Wester (@WesterLisa) September 6, 2018
I can't wait to share this statement with my daughters. @dewittjones thank you for a beautiful talk and your inspiration. https://t.co/B3poIRGrFJ
— Lisa Wester (@WesterLisa) September 5, 2018
“By celebrating what’s right we have the energy to fix what’s wrong” @dewittjones #CMWorld
— Taylor Goldsmith (@taygoldsmith) September 5, 2018
#CMWorld @dewittjones The best photographers don't ask, 'What will I take?', they ask, 'what will I be given?'
— Christopher S. Penn (@cspenn) September 5, 2018
Fantastic list from @JoePulizzi of areas to focus in life:
— Ben Gibbons (@bendgibbons) September 5, 2018
•Career/Wealth
•Family
•Spiritual
•Mental
•Physical
•Giving
#CMWorld
"On average, it takes 66 days for a person to make a new task a habit." You have to plan and repeat! #CMWorld
— Mike Allton (@mike_allton) September 5, 2018
Ann Handley
Do you have a tell in your content? Make sure it shows up in your email newsletters. @annhandley #CMWorld
— Berrak Sarikaya | Content Strategist | Speaker (@BerrakBiz) September 5, 2018
If some guy named Warren Buffett can write to a single person to make things more well, personal, so can you. @annhandley #CMWorld
— Mike Myers 🤠 (@mikemyers614) September 5, 2018
Marketing and sincerity are where we need to be as people, as marketers as brands. Ultimately it’s the quality of the content that matters. @annhandley #CMWorld
— Lisa Wester (@WesterLisa) September 6, 2018
#CMWorld @annhandley Newsletter is two words. NEWS, but don't forget the LETTER. Marketers overfocus on news and not enough on the story in the letter.
— Christopher S. Penn (@cspenn) September 5, 2018
"Email is the place where people (not algorithms) are in control" @annhandley #CMWorld
— Lisa Wester (@WesterLisa) September 5, 2018
Jay Acunzo
When we pay more attention to the customer than to the industry the customer pays more attention to us @jayacunzo #CMWorld.
— Lisa Wester (@WesterLisa) September 5, 2018
Finding the best practices isn’t the goal. Finding the best practice for you is... @jayacunzo #CMWorld
— Lisa Wester (@WesterLisa) September 5, 2018
Stop acting like experts and start acting like investors. ASK BETTER QUESTIONS. @jayacunzo. #CMWorld
— Lisa Wester (@WesterLisa) September 5, 2018
Jay Baer
91% of B2B purchases are primarily caused by word of mounth. No one actually has a word of mouth strategy but it's responsible for more dollars than anything else we do. We just assume our customers will talk about us. @jaybaer #CMWorld
— Lisa Wester (@WesterLisa) September 5, 2018
Word of mouth + content = Your customers grow your business for you. People have the power. People look for recommendations. @jaybaer #CMWorld
— Lisa Wester (@WesterLisa) September 5, 2018
The very best stories are about what your company does not just what it says. @jaybaer #CMWorld
— Lisa Wester (@WesterLisa) September 5, 2018
Books to Read
I’ve read 75% of the books on this table and would recommend all of them. Finishing Buyer Personas now. #CMWorld.
— Lisa Wester (@WesterLisa) September 5, 2018
Being the Content Marketing book nerd I am, yes I've read the majority of the books you see in this photo. I think I sold at least five copies of Andy Crestodina's book. Seriously folks, you need to purchase his book, Content Chemistry! Other books on my soon to read list include The Storytelling Edge by Shane Snow and Joe Lazauskas; and The Definitive Guide to Strategic Content Marketing by Lazar Dzamic and Justin Kirby.
