Content, Metrics & List Building WPCP: 078

I cannot seem to get enough content about content! (say that 10 times fast) It's as if I turned on a light switch in my head and I realized there's SO much more that I ever imagined. Bear with me here because I'm going to get more specific and promise I won't be talking in circles (and I'll do my best not to repeat what I've discussed in my recent posts about overhauling my site and content as the foundation of your business. I may however repeat a few points because they bear repeating). Back in my Overhauling the WordPress Chick post (Part 1) I mentioned the book Content Machine by Dan Norris (which by the way is absolutely fantastic). I've been working my way through the book and accompanying resources while I craft my new content strategy for my site. Even if ALL you do initially is start looking at content from a different perspective, then the book is worth every penny. The goal of course is to implement what you read and learn (I know, novel idea, right?), but for me it took a little percolating to really "get it". Trust me, I'm all about doing the work but I've also learned that I set myself back a few steps whenever I try to force something. It just doesn't work, I waste time and end up really frustrated. It's not like content is new, right? And it's not like I haven't been creating content since I launched this site. I have. Where I missed the mark though was that I never created a content strategy. I know, part of me thinks "should I be saying this out loud?"... but I kinda sorta had a content strategy. It was just that I only had a few pieces to it. Now I'm creating the entire map, GPS and all. My 'kinda sorta' strategy was to check keywords, comments and feedback from my audience and create content from that. I also created content around what I was loving at the time and why. Then I'd make tutorials or share it in a way that was easier for the everday user to understand (no boring code snippets here! :-) ). Then I realized what the problem was. I never sat down and started with the end in mind. Not the end of my business, but what was the ultimate goal of my site. What was I trying to DO with my business? What did I want to create? Who do I want to serve? All of that is changing now... and I couldn't be more excited. I can't quite reveal what this all means, but I'm crystal clear on one thing... my content strategy is at the core of everything I'm doing moving forward. Here's the beauty of creating a solid content strategy.... you can measure it's effectiveness and tailor it so it meets your objective. When I decided to fully step into this I started working with my 'secret weapon' (you'll hear more about him this month, I promise) before I created any new content or spent anytime deciding if I wanted to re-do my theme (which I've since decided I want to update my theme... originally I wasn't goiing to. It wont' be a totally new look, just a little different style) we got on a skype call and started with the end in mind. What do I want to do with my site (products and services) and who am I serving? How we approached this: After our initial skype call he went and did some analytics digging and keyword research (the stuff I hate but know is ridiculously invaluable). From there we started a notebook in Evernote and started digging in. You can see in the screenshot below some of the notes and areas we're focusing on: And we're just getting started (kind of fun, huh?). Now let's talk a bit about Metrics It's no secret that I'm not a fan of doing this myself, but I know it needs to be done. I like knowing the numbers, I just don't want to have to go in and collect them and analyze them. Hence my 'secret weapon'. In order to grow your business and proivde value to your audience you have to track and measure what's working, what's not working and what they want more of. I've had Google analytics and webmaster tools set up (although something...