This is What Your Marketing VP Actually Cares About
Aug 29, 2023
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Carter Severns, an expert in modern content marketing, discusses the importance of project management, evolving content marketing strategies, choosing the right marketing channels, gaining insights about ideal customers, balancing content creation, and the importance of focus and enjoyment in running a marketing department.
Balancing short-term and long-term content strategy is crucial, focusing on quick wins and growth initiatives while remaining open to adjustments.
Establishing trust and empowerment between the VP of Marketing and the Head of Content is vital for successful content strategy execution.
Focusing on specific marketing channels that align with the target audience and doubling down on successful channels leads to more effective content distribution.
Deep dives
Balancing Short-term and Long-term Content Strategy
Carter discusses the importance of balancing short-term and long-term content strategy. He emphasizes the need to focus on both quick wins and long-term growth initiatives. Carter's approach involves setting expectations for different content channels, determining success indicators, and remaining open to adjustments along the way. He also highlights the value of understanding the product and customers to create compelling content that addresses their needs.
Navigating the Marketing-Content Relationship
Carter explores the ideal relationship between the VP of Marketing and the Head of Content. He emphasizes the importance of trust and empowerment, allowing the content leader to drive the content strategy while providing guidance and support. Carter shares his experience of reconciling his own content strategy with his Head of Content's approach, highlighting the need for open-mindedness and alignment on goals and outcomes. He also encourages marketers to give themselves time to understand the product and customers, as this knowledge drives effective content creation.
The Value of Focused Marketing Channels
Carter discusses the significance of focusing on specific marketing channels rather than attempting to do everything at once. He suggests that marketers should identify three to four channels that align with their target audience and focus on them, rather than spreading themselves too thin. Carter advises doubling down on successful channels, defining success metrics, and avoiding comparison with brands that operate in different industries or contexts.
Strategic Approach to Content Distribution
Carter emphasizes the need for a strategic approach to content distribution. He highlights the importance of understanding where the target audience hangs out, finding the relevant industry publications, Slack communities, or social media platforms they engage with. By conducting customer interviews and actively seeking insights from target customers, marketers can identify the most effective distribution channels. Carter also emphasizes the value of diverse content strategies, such as product-focused content and founder stories, to reach and engage customers from different perspectives.
Building Trust and Aligning Expectations
Carter emphasizes the need for trust between marketing leaders and content leaders. He highlights the importance of empowering content leaders to take ownership and execute on their vision, while also setting clear expectations and revisiting them periodically. He encourages marketers to build trust by explaining data-driven decisions and demonstrating the potential outcomes of different content strategies. Carter also underscores the significance of validating assumptions through customer engagement and feedback to create content that resonates with the target audience.
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