letting go of perfection: how to survive as an in-house content strategist

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Letting Go of Perfection: How to Survive as an In-House

Content Strategist

Kim MarquesPrincipal Website Editor / Content

StrategistLiberty Mutual Insurance

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After Confab Each Year

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Upon Returning to the Office

Image: Kalexanderson

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Three Biggest Hurdles

Time StakeholdersScope

Image: Sergioς

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Never Enough Time

Image: elycefeliz

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Rushed Decisions

Image: jovike

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Familiarity Doesn’t Always Breed Contempt

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Sanity Saving Tips:

• Keep a running content audit

• Set aside time each week to read a section of your content you haven’t touched in a while

• Automate where it makes sense

• Be ok with not getting to everything … (I know it’s

not easy. I had to take my own advice when creating this presentation. It sucked.)

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Four Dreaded Words

“That’s out of scope.” –Every Project Manager Ever

Image: Ahd Photography

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True Story: Claims Offices

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It’s a Marathon Not a Sprint

Image: See-ming Lee

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Sanity Saving Tips:

• Keep a running list of issues/items you want to fix – can be separate or a part of your audit

• Work with your project managers to get content strategy slated in as early as possible

• Find out what your technical limitations are (aka: don’t be afraid of IT)

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Stakeholder Meetings

Image: JackBunny

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A Good Reminder

“Stakeholders can’t see how terrible their content is because this isn’t their space. But it isour space, and it’s our job to show them how to make it better.”

~ Eileen Webb

@webmeadow

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Know Your Audience

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No, Honestly, Trust Me

Image: Lee Haywood

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Sanity Saving Tips:

• They’re just people – get to know them

• Play to each of their strengths

• If you don’t get them this time – you’ll get them the next time

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In the End, Nothing’s Prefect

Image: lonely radio

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In the End, Nothing’s Perfect

Image: lonely radio

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(oh thank God I made it … that wasn’t scary at all… where’s the bar?)