Zapier: How Lane Scott Jones proved a 454% ROI on content
Jul 31, 2023
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Lane Scott Jones, Head of Content Marketing at Zapier, shares how she achieved a staggering 454% ROI on content marketing. She reveals strategies behind scaling her team from four to twenty and the remarkable output of 85 articles each month. The discussion dives into the integration of AI to streamline editing workflows and highlights the significance of community engagement and automation in content success. Lane also addresses the challenges of demonstrating content's value amidst budget cuts and economic uncertainty.
Zapier's content marketing strategy has demonstrated a remarkable 454% ROI, showcasing its importance as a revenue-generating function rather than just brand awareness.
The content team at Zapier has expanded significantly from four to twenty members, enabling the publication of 85 blog posts monthly to support various marketing strategies.
AI technology is enhancing Zapier's content workflows by automating repetitive tasks, allowing the team to concentrate on creative aspects of content development.
Deep dives
Measuring Content Marketing Success
Content marketing at Zapier has proven to be a significant driver of ROI, showing a remarkable 454% return on investment. This compelling figure reflects a shift in perception regarding the value of content, moving it from a mere brand awareness tool to a crucial revenue-generating function. The calculation involved evaluating various costs associated with content production against the revenue it influences, particularly focusing on upgrades and signups stemming from content engagement. Presenting this data has empowered the content team to secure additional resources and expand its capabilities effectively.
Growth of the Content Team
The content marketing team at Zapier has experienced substantial growth, expanding from four to around 20 members. This growth allows for the publication of an impressive 85 blog posts each month, illustrating a robust content production capacity. With new roles such as campaign managers and a dedicated video team also added, the team's structure now supports diverse content initiatives that cater to various marketing strategies. This expansion emphasizes the importance of content as a holistic growth function within the company.
Strategic Use of AI in Content Marketing
AI technology is being leveraged by Zapier's content team to streamline processes and enhance productivity. Examples include creating custom bots that assist with content editing and generating informative AI-powered customer use cases. The team has found that using AI allows them to focus more on creative aspects of content creation while automating more repetitive tasks. This integration of AI demonstrates how technology can augment creative workflows, rather than overshadowing human input in content development.
Content Strategy and Target Personas
Zapier's content strategy is centered around inspiring users to explore automation through a diverse array of content addressing various use cases. Initially focusing on individual productivity, the team has shifted to highlight broader business potential and collaboration across teams. This approach targets personas ranging from individual tinkerers to decision-makers in marketing and sales, effectively advocating for the adoption of Zapier within organizations. By showcasing real customer stories and automation inspiration, the content marketing efforts aim to demonstrate the transformative impact of their automation tools.
Collaboration and Operations within the Content Team
Effective collaboration among team members and departments has become a cornerstone of Zapier's content marketing strategy. The team has embraced asynchronous communication methods to support its international footprint, allowing for a flexible and efficient workflow. Additionally, establishing a content operations function has redefined how success is measured within the organization by tracking content impact, thereby enabling further refinement of marketing strategies. This proactive approach has allowed the team to maintain alignment with overall company goals while maximizing their operational capabilities.
On episode #17, Jimmy speaks with Lane Scott Jones from Zapier. They discuss:
- How Lane calculated a 454% content ROI for Zapier - How she grew the team from four to 20 people - How (and why) Zapier publishes 85 articles each month - How A.I. is speeding up the team's editing workflow