Blog: Content writing and content strategy insights

The simple governance strategy that will help web teams succeed

Jun 08, 2016

Posted by: Alice Hearnshaw

Filed under: content,  content strategy,  training,  web content

If you've worked on a fairly large web project, the story in this blog post will be all too familiar. It's the terrible tale of why web teams struggle time and time again to get content ready.

Look at your governance structure and you'll find some clues. One person in your company can make a big difference to the web team's content crusade. The answer is surprising to many: the CEO. I'll explain why. And I suggest four simple things your CEO can do to help your web team achieve its goal of going live with great digital content. 

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Nine digital content skills that open up many job opportunities

Jun 03, 2016

Posted by: Alice Hearnshaw

Filed under: content marketing,  mobile content,  professional development,  seo,  social media,  training,  translatable English,  web content

People who know how to write well for digital media — websites, intranets, social media, blogs, e-newsletters — have amazing career opportunities.

Today when you write for work, you need to understand 'digital'. Digital technology is a game-changer for writers and communicators.

People who write for work must know how to:

  1. attract online readers
  2. improve search rankings
  3. use metadata and keywords
  4. follow web standards
  5. use a content management system properly
  6. write for mobile devices
  7. write plain English
  8. write for Google Translate
  9. publish on multiple channels.

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    The careers of five best friends begin to merge in a digital workforce

    May 20, 2016

    Posted by: Alice Hearnshaw

    Filed under: business communication,  mobile content,  plain English,  professional development,  seo,  social media,  training,  user experience,  web content

    When I grew up I had four besties. Together we were just like Blyton’s Famous Five. Sure, we didn’t roam the countryside solving mysteries and capturing villains. Golly gosh no! But we did freely roam our cul-de-sac for hours enjoying jolly adventures — at least until dinner time.

    After university, we all dispersed into very different jobs — one into journalism, one into strategic planning, one into advertising, one into corporate comms, and I moved from solicitor to information designer.

    But in the last five years or so, something funny has happened: all our job descriptions are starting to look the same. Disciplines are merging. My friends and I are doing similar tasks and use the same skillsets.

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    User testing your web content leads to happiness

    Nov 12, 2015

    Posted by: Alice Hearnshaw

    Filed under: books,  user experience,  web content

    One of the UXNZ 2015 Conference highlights for me was the opening speech by legend US information architect and publisher, Lou Rosenfeld. He talked about how he came up with the design and layout for the books his company publishes. Quite simply, he took his books out and tested them with real people. He wanted to learn whether he could make an age-old product like a hardcopy book easier to use. Turns out you can.

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