Content Chat

#ContentChat is a weekly twitter chat that brings together content creators and content marketers to share their challenges and best practices for solving them.

I took over hosting duties from Lucy Rendler-Kaplan on June 13, 2016. The chat was originated by Jenise Stout Fryatt of Smarter Shift who built up the community over three years.

Check out these recaps from recent chats and join us on Mondays at 12 noon Pacific/ 3:00 p.m. Eastern to join in the conversation.

April 6, 2020 Content Chat Recap: How Innovative Companies Are Reinventing Virtual Events

April 10, 2020 by Alek Irvin Leave a Comment

As businesses and society continue to grapple with the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, it is clear that the world will never operate the way it once did. The events industry, in particular, is in turmoil, with decades-old institutions like the Churchill Club ending their events series, and companies are facing tough decisions on how to navigate events in a socially distanced world.

This week, the #ContentChat community was joined by Brian Fanzo (@iSocialFanz), a digital futurist keynote speaker, to explore the shifting events landscape. Read the full recap below, which includes advice on how to decide if your event should go virtual, the tools you need to successfully run an online event, and the trends that will define this new era of events.

Q1: Many conference and event organizers are having to decide if they should cancel, reschedule, or take their upcoming events virtual. What criteria can they use to evaluate if a virtual event would be a good fit?

In-person events will almost certainly be nonexistent through 2020, likely stretching well into 2021. You should not plan to host an in-person event for at least another 9 months, pending ongoing guidance from public health officials.

A1. The most important factors would be event dates and refundable expenses. There’s a possibility that large events could be banned through 2021. If your on the near side of that time line you probably want to cancel early and get more money back than risk it all. #ContentChat
— GreenRope (@GreenRope) April 6, 2020

This is an opportunity to reassess the value of your event and see how you can reinvent that experience virtually. This pressure to innovate and redesign event experiences will shape the next era of events.

1A. #contentChat
First we have to own that virtual events will never replace offline conferences…
But they can include many aspects & when done right can deliver value that isn’t possible offline!
So we must redefine what success of a #virtualevent looks like! https://t.co/MvxhaAAemN
— Brian Fanzo (@iSocialFanz) April 6, 2020

For any event to be successful, it has to provide value to its audience. As such, one way to assess whether your event should go virtual is by surveying your prospective attendees to assess their needs and interests.

A1a: Like most things, whether you should cancel, reschedule, or take your event virtual depends on the event goals and its audience.
If your event is time-bound, like the Cherry Blossom Festival, you are faced with transforming it into a virtual event or canceling. #ContentChat
— Erika Heald | Content Marketing Expert (@SFerika) April 6, 2020

I’m always about asking the audience, so perhaps a survey of interest for a virtual event – along with questions around preference of length, cost for virtual-only, etc. – would be helpful. From those responses, determine the value of the event.
— Erin Schroeder (@erinbschroeder) April 6, 2020

Events with a heavy networking focus will be trickier (but not impossible) to replicate digitally, but more traditional event components like keynotes, panel discussions, and even brainstorming can be handled online.

A1: An event w/ hands on components (workshops, prototyping, sketching) is primed for a reschedule. But any event that relies on brainstorming, group thinking, or other sharing can surely be virtual. Zoom breakout rooms are your friend, but up the # of facilitators! #ContentChat
— Rachel Wendte (@rkwendte) April 6, 2020

A1) A big part is if their audience will get the same kind of benefit as the original in-person event. Events that pride themselves on workshops and speakers could translate relatively well online, but others that are big on networking/hands-on might want to hold off #contentchat
— OnePitch (@onepitchsaas) April 6, 2020

And there are plenty of content types to explore that can create an engaging and interactive online event experience.

1B. #ContentChat
Some of the criteria that I believe you must think about it is how can we use a collaboration of content mediums
Live Video
Produced Video
Audio content
PDF’s
Chats
Forum based conversations
It’s not about one tool more a collaboration!
— Brian Fanzo (@iSocialFanz) April 6, 2020

A1: To begin, they have to evaluate whether the information they will share can be effectively communicated via virtual means.
They should be thinking about the quality of information via all delivery methods, but I digress…#ContentChat
— THE Gary J. Nix 🌹100‍🌟: people seem to know me? (@Mr_McFly) April 6, 2020

When planning your event, ask yourself these questions: What are the goal(s) of the event?

A1: Great place to start is to evaluate the goals of the live event. Is it networking? Lead gen? Thought leadership/awareness? Start there & then evaluate what you can (or should) replicate virtually. #ContentChat
— Justin Robbins (@justinmrobbins) April 6, 2020

A1c: If your event is about fostering personal connections, involves a lot of proprietary information not intended for sharing publicly, or your audience doesn’t have a broadband connection and solid home computer setup, you may want to cancel. #ContentChat
— Erika Heald | Content Marketing Expert (@SFerika) April 6, 2020

How much interaction do we want during the event, and can we manage this online?

A1.
I’m thinking, how much interaction does the client want?
My training / speaking is highly interactive with constant questions and feedback from the group. This leads to a feel of ‘discussion’ vs ‘Training’, which the audence would miss is everything was virtual.#ContentChat
— Bruce Mayhew (@BMCtrainercoach) April 6, 2020

A1: I’d rather see the workshops and interactive elements get translated to virtual. It’s hard to sit through most speeches IRL. I can’t imagine you’d get great engagement online. #ContentChat
— John Cloonan (@johncloonan) April 6, 2020

How will we keep an online audience focused? This could involve exploring different session lengths and the way you deliver the content.

I believe it also has to include a change in how this information is provided…
60 minute keynotes & 90 minute workshops work great offline!
Online the audience is much more distracted so must get creative with times & style of content! #contentChat
— Brian Fanzo (@iSocialFanz) April 6, 2020

How important is the timing of this event? If the topic can wait until after the virus is contained and there is significant value in holding the event in person, consider postponing.

A1) Virtual is a great way to gather. The biggest questions for the company would be A. Timeliness – if you wait to do the conference in person, does it still have the same meaning? B. Does it still have meaning online or does it work better face to face?
— SooktonSays (@SooktonSays) April 6, 2020

Great point around timing-based events. I’m working with a farm that does a sunflower maze each year. Planting timing is off. Opening timing is off. People being together in the maze is off. So, now I’m wondering if a drone tour through the maze could be cool? #contentchat
— Diana Richardson🍷 (@DianaRich013) April 6, 2020

Yes!!! I created a full video with my @GoPro 360 camera today and testing ways I can leverage tools like this to really provide value and not just vanity! #ContentChat pic.twitter.com/MuS4A1qoBj
— Brian Fanzo (@iSocialFanz) April 6, 2020

Do we have the capability to record and post sessions afterward? This can greatly extend the value of your event because you can couple those recordings with blog posts and social media content following the event.

A1: determine if a live audience would add value. Sponsors would love the leadflow, but the audience? Ask them! Either way, hire and expert recordist and plan to record all sessions for later playback, and market THAT. #contentchat
— Ed Alexander (@fanfoundry) April 6, 2020

March 30, 2020 Content Chat Recap: Why Marketing Needs To Say Buh-Bye To April Fool’s Pranks

April 3, 2020 by Alek Irvin Leave a Comment

Brands have joined in on the April Fool’s festivities for decades, pranking their audiences in an attempt to spread joy, build relationships, and ultimately stay relevant. The problem, though, is that over the years it seems that creativity has dwindled, pranks are falling flat, and many marketers are left wondering: “Should my company do an April Fool’s joke?”

In this #ContentChat community conversation we are joined by longtime community member and friend Maureen Jann (@SuperDeluxeMo), marketing director and strategist at SuperDeluxe Marketing, to weigh the pros and cons of brand April Fool’s jokes, with an added element of how to approach pranks in times of global crisis. Read through the conversation below, and comment with your take on whether brand April Fool’s pranks should end.

Q1: Brand April Fool’s Day pranks. Are you a fan of them, or do you think they are past their prime?

60% of our poll respondents feel that brand April Fool’s Day pranks are past their prime, 27.5% take the opposite stance, and 12.5% are undecided.

Q1: Brand April Fool’s Day pranks.
Are you a fan of them, or do you think they are past their prime?
Please answer the poll and reply with your POV. #ContentChat
— Erika Heald | Content Marketing Expert (@SFerika) March 30, 2020

Of those that are against brand April Fool’s pranks, some feel that these activities have been irrelevant for several years. Often, the “jokes” feel like a rushed attempt to hop on the April Fool’s bandwagon without having a legitimately delightful and entertaining idea. Or, even worse, the jokes come across as offensive or distasteful.

A1: I hate pranks of most kinds. They tend to be a great way to illustrate how thoughtless you are whether you’re a brand or a person. It takes a light touch an emotional IQ and people rarely navigate it well. So, I say: 👎 #ContentChat
— Maureen Jann (@SuperDeluxeMo) March 30, 2020

A1: I’m with you, Maureen. I don’t like pranks. Jokes that aren’t at the expense of another person are OK with me. But no pranks. #ContentChat
— Darcy De Leon 👩🏻‍💻🏠Blog Editor (@darcydeleon) March 30, 2020

A1: I’ve been over brand April fool’s jokes for a very long time. Probably starting with the year I convinced everyone to NOT do one then my boss, at 5 p.m. the day before, decided we HAD TO do their lame idea for one.
Yes, we worked late, and yes, it bombed. #ContentChat
— Erika Heald | Content Marketing Expert (@SFerika) March 30, 2020

A1b: All too often, I see brands publishing lame or even insulting April fool’s pranks, that are about fooling their audience, just b.c everyone else is doing it…not bc they have come up with something to delight and inspire their customers. #ContentChat
— Erika Heald | Content Marketing Expert (@SFerika) March 30, 2020

Most AF jokes are underwhelming. Often, they’re rushed, feel off-brand, and simply aren’t entertaining. If you’re going to do a joke, take the time to plan it, give it the resources it needs, and stay true to your brand. This year, though, please, no jokes. #ContentChat
— Alek Irvin (@AlekIrvin) March 30, 2020

In part, the issue with brand April Fool’s jokes is that many companies do not have an established identity of being fun or quirky (which is OK). The audiences of these brands could be confused or even feel alienated receiving a prank from a brand that otherwise is buttoned up in its communications.

A1: I think they’re past their prime, unless it’s actually part of your brand personality to pull something off. I like fun little things some Google products have done in the past that didn’t go overboard. #ContentChat
— Berrak 👩🏻‍💻| MissQuello on ACNH (@BerrakBiz) March 30, 2020

a1b: And to @DianaRich013 ‘s point, they have to fit with the brand voice. A buttoned-up brand won’t be able to pull that off. #ContentChat
— John Cloonan (@johncloonan) March 30, 2020

A1. Coming in late… I think pranks rn don’t work well unless humor part of your brand personality AND you’ve made sure your brand communicates how you are helping ppl first. Otherwise, it can backfire. #ContentChat
— Kathy Klotz-Guest, #thatwomaninCA! (@kathyklotzguest) March 30, 2020

I don’t like pranks from brands that don’t work all year long to care and humor matters all year. it needs to be part of their values. I am all for levity – you know! – amid the chaos, I’d rather see small fun things that help ppl, not self-serving PR stunts. #ContentChat
— Kathy Klotz-Guest, #thatwomaninCA! (@kathyklotzguest) March 30, 2020

That said, many marketers are still excited at the potential of April Fool’s jokes. This year with the global COVID-19 pandemic, though, brands must approach their jokes with extreme caution—on one hand, there is a need for entertaining (and distracting) content, but there is increased risk this year with heightened sensitivities.

A1] If your April Fool’s jokes take into consideration how people are feeling, they may add some delight to people’s lives. #contentchat https://t.co/ySj9LZceOt
— HeidiCohen #CMWorld 2019 Speaker (@heidicohen) March 30, 2020

A1: I said we need them, particularly right now. They need to be great and well executed, though, and of cource, no coronavirus jokes this year. #ContentChat
— John Cloonan (@johncloonan) March 30, 2020

#contentchat A-1 Really need to laugh a little with this hard times upon us.
They should have some empathy and inspirational personas.
— Mphete (@Mphete_Kwetli) March 30, 2020

A1) I think Brand April Fool’s day pranks are great when done well. Given the current climate, brands doing them in 2020 will need to be careful of walking the fine line between comedy and insensitivity. But I think we could use a nice laugh in times like these. #contentchat
— OnePitch (@onepitchsaas) March 30, 2020

A1: Yeah, context shall make all the difference. And I do feel this should be done with extra extra sensitivity or not done at all. #contentchat
— Kaamayni (@kaamayni) March 30, 2020

#Contentchat A1. I feel like it depends on the prank. If it’s in good taste, fine. However, if the prank is in a way that gaslights others and subtly puts people down, not good. That’s why our society is becoming so sensitive.
— Jason Krause (@JasonAKrause) March 30, 2020

Instead of doing an April Fool’s joke, brands could instead focus on providing insightful and genuinely helpful content for navigating this pandemic.

A2: I don’t think the nuance needed wouldn’t be there if many brands tried to do it.
Sure, we could all use a laugh right now but there’s a bigger need for compassion, facts, help, stability, hope etc #contentchat
— Carolina (@YoursTrulyCaro) March 30, 2020

A2: Agreed. It’s better right now, I think, if brands see how they can help, especially help the people needing it the most. Focus on helping not on being April-Fools trendy. #ContentChat
— Darcy De Leon 👩🏻‍💻🏠Blog Editor (@darcydeleon) March 30, 2020

Or, there are a variety of other themes that brands can follow in April that don’t involve pranks.

A1c: Some fun April month observances brands could kick off on the 1st instead of a prank:
International Guitar Month
Keep America Beautiful Month
Lawn and Garden Month
National Decorating Month
National Garden Month
National Humor Month
National Inventor’s Month#ContentChat
— Erika Heald | Content Marketing Expert (@SFerika) March 30, 2020

March 23, 2020 Content Chat Recap: Staying Creative And Productive While Working From Home

March 25, 2020 by Alek Irvin Leave a Comment

Countless marketing professionals have started working from home in response to COVID-19, and for many this is the first time that their house is now their office. While having a minute-long commute, no official dress code, and access to all your usual comforts are notable perks of working from home, staying productive can present unique challenges that even a decades-long office tenure could not prepare you for.

In this #ContentChat, we share our top tips for staying creative and productive while working from home, including what to keep at your desk, the tools you need, and the playlists that are keeping us motivated.

Q1: First things first. Right now, how motivated and productive are you feeling when it comes to working from home? On a scale of 1-10 with 10 being “OMG so productive” and 1 being “I am watching Netflix in my jammies”.

Even those who are used to working from home are less productive because of the pandemic. This is due to the severity of the emergency, the economic uncertainty, and because more people are working from home or staying home than usual.

A1. Since I’m a remote worker since before the pandemic, I’m productive enough. Let’s say that’s 8 out of 10 these days. -2 for the anxiety that’s coming from the news. #ContentChat
— Masooma | Content Writer (@inkandcopy) March 23, 2020

A1: I am about a 6. I normally work from home, so my routine hasn’t been disrupted very much. But the economic fallout from the crisis is impacting my project load adversely. OTOH I am using the extra time to work on my passion project which motivates me. #ContentChat https://t.co/0OVb8drMFJ
— Erika Heald | Content Marketing Expert (@SFerika) March 23, 2020

A1: Some days my work-from-home-during-the-coronavirus motivation is a 9. Some days are a 5 or lower. And it fluctuates throughout the day.#ContentChat
— Darcy De Leon 👩🏻‍💻 Blog Editor (@darcydeleon) March 23, 2020

A1: It’s not the WFH that’s effected my productivity but the added anxiety and adjustment to *waves* everything. But today, I’m about a 6. I get the 9-5 work done but my own projects have stalled. #ContentChat
— Berrak 👩🏻‍💻| MissQuello on ACNH (@BerrakBiz) March 23, 2020

Going with an 8/10. WFH is the norm here, but there are added distractions and stressors (more “coworkers” at home and general anxiety around the daily headlines). #ContentChat
— WriterGirl (@WriterGirlAssoc) March 23, 2020

That said, many of our community members are able to stay productive at home during these trying times.

A1. 8. I think the 7-8 range is ideal because 10 isn’t sustainable and 6 or below is underperforming. #ContentChat
— GreenRope (@GreenRope) March 23, 2020

A1.
On the scale I am at 7.
2 hours of work and 10-15 mins of rest or other activities.#ContentChat
— ⚡ Vraj Shah 📸 (@vrajshahspeaks) March 23, 2020

I’m about an 8. Quite productive and being kinder to myself and my mental health at home. But seeing things that need to be done around here… and resisting the urge to do them during the work hours.
— Erin Schroeder (@erinbschroeder) March 23, 2020

A1: I’m an online tutor and do content strategy as well, so the productivity is interesting.
– Willingness to do work w/ students & grade assignments? ➡️ 9
– Their willingness to submit assignments? ➡️ 2
– Content work ➡️ 6#ContentChat
— Rachel Wendte (@rkwendte) March 23, 2020

A1) I would say around a 6 or 7. Lucky to even have the opportunity to work remotely, so that’s keeping my spirits up. Just really trying to configure systems/routines for that work-life balance now that it’s all in the same place. #contentchat
— OnePitch (@onepitchsaas) March 23, 2020

A1.
I have to say – I’ve been a strong 9.
I’ve enjoyed time to connect with others online and having time to write. And, I love working from my home office. I love traveling for work but get so much more done than when I’m on the road or in a hotel.#ContentChat.
— Bruce Mayhew (@BMCtrainercoach) March 23, 2020

A1: On a scale of 1-10, I would be at an 8. I’m still getting up at the normal time, showering and getting ready like I usually would and then walking down to the home office. Trying to stick to a routine. #ContentChat https://t.co/D8R2Ek2LEU
— Bernie Fussenegger #Digital360Chat (@B2the7) March 23, 2020

A1: I’m a steady 7 or 8, but WFH is my normal. Only thing interrupting it is occasionally wandering in to talk to my daughter, who is of course home from school. #ContentChat
— John Cloonan (@johncloonan) March 23, 2020

Evaluate your campaigns and assess if they are still relevant/appropriate. If you’ve found your pipeline has come to a halt, consider activities that are valuable during a crisis, such as developing/implementing a business continuity plan.

A1. I’ve been at a 10 for motivation, because I’ve been helping a client plan and create a business continuity content hub (along with a lot of the content). Feels urgent and meaningful. #ContentChat
— Carmen Hill (@carmenhill) March 23, 2020

10 for sure. I’ve been a machine trying to figure out who still needs advertisement and wants to engage in this new online economy. #ContentChat https://t.co/gkXbGFWpHS
— DiKayo Data (@dikayodata) March 23, 2020

March 16, 2020 Content Chat Recap: Content Marketing During Times of Crisis

March 18, 2020 by Alek Irvin Leave a Comment

In times of crisis, business as usual is no longer an option. Whether it’s a contained internal incident, a local emergency, or even a global pandemic like we see with COVID-19, any crisis scenario means that brands must reassess their strategy and place heightened importance on their customer needs.

In this #ContentChat, we discuss ways to manage content marketing during times of crisis, including when to shift your editorial calendar, how to handle paid social advertising, best practices for caring for your audience during trying times, and how marketers can support their local communities.

Check out the recap below, and if you have further questions or are looking for support during this time, please comment below or message Erika and we will do whatever we can to help.

Q1: Where are you tuning in to #ContentChat from this week?

A majority of our members joined #ContentChat from home, and we can expect more people to work from home soon.

Q1: Where are you tuning in to #ContentChat from this week?
— Erika Heald | Content Marketing Expert (@SFerika) March 16, 2020

March 2, 2020 Content Chat Recap: How To Make Content Marketing Work In Highly Regulated Industries

March 13, 2020 by Alek Irvin Leave a Comment

Highly regulated industries like healthcare, financial services, and pharmaceuticals are notorious in the communications space for stifling creativity, requiring professionals to prioritize legal compliance over a compelling narrative in their content. But despite the perceived challenges, marketers in these industries have a prime opportunity to create valuable content that both engages their audience and further differentiates their brand.

In this #ContentChat, Ahava Leibtag (@AhavaL), founder and president of Aha Media, shares how you can make content marketing work in highly regulated industries, including tips for partnering with legal and compliance, recommendations on the type of content you can create in a regulated industry, and ways to encourage employee brand advocacy.

Check out the recap of our conversation below, and if you’d like to learn more on the topic, read the takeaways from our past chat on creating interesting content for conservative industries.

Q1(a): Certain industries have significant regulations around their communications with the public, including healthcare, pharmaceuticals, and financial services. Does that mean content marketing is impossible for those industries?

Content marketing is possible for any industry given that one of its core purposes is to build relationships with an audience.

Absolutely not. In fact, the goal of #contentmarketing is to build relationships with audiences through education. Those industries sell complex ideas and products. They need to educate their audiences about what they provide and why it’s important.#contentchat
— Ahava Leibtag (@ahaval) March 2, 2020

Marketers in regulated industries have additional considerations to navigate, including the need to closely partner with legal and compliance teams.

A1: Having been the one in charge of creating a content strategy in both financial services and healthcare organizations, I can safely say that there are a TON of things you can do from a content marketing perspective. You just need legal and compliance buy-in. #ContentChat
— Erika Heald | Content Marketing Expert (@SFerika) March 2, 2020

A1: It’s certainly difficult, but not impossible. Marketers just need to know the ins and outs of the regulations so they can still inform their audience while adhering to communication standards.#ContentChat
— Dr. Donald Hecht (@realDocHecht) March 2, 2020

A1: Definitely not! It just means that writers need to be creative, cognizant of limitations, and be prepared to edit campaigns that don’t fall in the lines. #ContentChat
— Rachel Wendte (@rkwendte) March 2, 2020

A1: Not impossible but you are needing to be more aware of what you are creating and what the regulations are and that legal needs to be your friend. #ContentChat
— Bernie Fussenegger #Digital360Chat (@B2the7) March 2, 2020

Remember that all companies in these industries are bound by the same regulations, so marketers have to get creative and be flexible to stay ahead of the competition.

A1: Another way to look at it: the issue is not the restrictions and challenges with regulations, but whether you can outperform the competition, all of whom share the same challenges.
— Open Road Digital (@openroaddigital) March 2, 2020

A1. Not at all! In fact, a great #contentmarketing strategy can really help companies like this stand out.
Just avoid jargon, outdated design, and boring copy — all common errors within those industries. #ContentChat
— Liz Willits (@lizwillits) March 2, 2020

A1: Regulated industries can be difficult to work with from a content marketing stand point, but not impossible. It requires much more organization and patience, and the lack of competition will generate better rewards for your client(s). #ContentChat
— Derek Pillie (@derekpillie) March 2, 2020

A1: Absolutely not. Many industries are heavily regulated, it doesn’t mean you can’t provide content for them, in fact, they need it more. Especially from knowledgable writers. #ContentChat
— Brandie McCallum (@lttlewys) March 2, 2020

A1: OMG. So creative with the limitations. It also means you have to really focus on what will move the needle, because you need more time to create. #ContentChat https://t.co/yLQeYtmyNg
— Jen Brass Jenkins (@chrliechaz) March 2, 2020

February 24, 2020 Content Chat Recap: Tips For Creating Unique Blog Visuals Your Audience Will Love

February 28, 2020 by Alek Irvin Leave a Comment

Even the most well-written blog posts will have a difficult time gaining traction without compelling visuals. Whether it’s your blog header image or a chart that dissects an important concept, each graphic you include is a chance to further engage your audience, provide value to them, and solidify your brand recognition. Yet, so many blogs include generic stock images that leave audiences unintrigued and uninterested in reading your content.

In this #ContentChat, Orana Velarde (@OranaCreative), social media and community manager for Visme, and our community discuss the importance of a blog post’s header image, the elements of an effective blog visual, and the tools you need to make the process a breeze.

Q1: What is the role that a blog post’s header image should play?

A blog post’s header image is vital in helping someone decide if they want to read the post. The header image should be inviting, related to the blog’s content, and reflective of your company’s branding.

A1.a
The blog post header is the visual welcome mat to your blog post.
It should be:
– inviting
– attractive
– recognizable as your brand
– tell a visual story of what the blog post is about
#ContentChat
— Orana Velarde (@OranaCreative) February 24, 2020

A1: Your blog’s header image should provide an emotional hook, concept illustration, or other imagery that gives the reader a sense of what to expect from investing the time in reading your post—and it’s got to be something folks would want to share! #ContentChat
— Erika Heald | Content Marketing Consultant (@SFerika) February 24, 2020

A1: The blog header image should be…
– Professional quality
– Consistent theme of blog content
– Compliment the headline#ContentChat
— Bernie Fussenegger #Digital360Chat (@B2the7) February 24, 2020

A1) #contentchat
– act as a visual introduction to the piece
– be a relevant visual que as to the subject of the piece
– intrigue the reader
– entertain the reader
— Diana Richardson🍷 (@DianaRich013) February 24, 2020

#ContentChat A1
The header image actually carries a lot of pressure on its back. It should:
⚡️Help illustrate the topic of the post
⚡️Capture attention and intrigue
⚡️Help anchor your reader to the post
⚡️Properly represent your brand
⚡️Serve as an excellent thumbnail on soc
— Kayla | Branding + Content + Creative + Culture (@KaylaNaab) February 24, 2020

Keep social media in mind when setting up your header image. Select the header image as the post’s featured image and also include it in your metadata to maximize its inclusion in social posts. Orana shares some tools that can help in this process.

A1.b
The blog post header is also your featured image so it needs to be well formatted in your CMS. On WordPress, it should be added as your featured image at the right size.
Check your theme!#ContentChat
— Orana Velarde (@OranaCreative) February 24, 2020

A1.c
Your blog header / featured image must be added to your metadata so social shares will pull that image. @YoastSeo can do it for you in a flash. It will automatically add the image to FB posts and Twitter cards.
#ContentChat
— Orana Velarde (@OranaCreative) February 24, 2020

A1.d
Remember that your blog header and other visuals will be shared on social!
They need to be optimized and branded for that eventuality! #ContentChat
— Orana Velarde (@OranaCreative) February 24, 2020

This means if the words get cut off or the image isn’t especially interesting—or, worse yet, is actively disengaging—it’s a lot less likely to get shared and reshared on social. #ContentChat https://t.co/ds0BHtn2ih
— Erika Heald | Content Marketing Consultant (@SFerika) February 24, 2020

Another great tool to solve this is the Facebook debugger. Sometimes even our best intentions aren’t enough and the image being pulled is the wrong one. https://t.co/bWCLeXshQP #ContentChat
— Orana Velarde (@OranaCreative) February 24, 2020