The first quarter of 2019 is almost over, and content marketing folks are wrapping up any projects for March and laying the foundation for Q2.

In this #ContentChat open mic, we channeled our collective resources to help with projects that individual community members are working on. Check out some of the broad topics below, and feel free to keep the conversation going if you can weigh in.

General resource—Using UTMs for Attribution

If you want to learn how to use UTMs to their full potential, check out the below resources from Erika and Tod!

A project I worked on last year with the folks @TrackMaven has just been released and I think #contentchat folks will find it to be helpful: https://t.co/9a4UaEfP6G #UTMs #marketingattribution

— Erika Heald | Content Strategy (@SFerika) March 4, 2019

#UTMs are so underutilized, particularly in measuring offline #marketing.

On my list was some long form content around this exact topic. Maybe I’ll just do short form and refer to you’re work, instead. 🙂 #ContentChat https://t.co/Tnh07GsjGt

— Tod Cordill (@todcordill) March 4, 2019

I know that there’s tools out there… but I’ve got a spreadsheet for leveraging #UTM parameters. Both Excel and Google Sheets versions. I like the Google version because it is easy to share with teams.

Let me know if you want to check it out. #ContentChat https://t.co/B1ECJ2jSgs

— Tod Cordill (@todcordill) March 4, 2019

I’d love your feedback! You can get both the Excel and Google sheets versions of my URL/UTM campaign builder here: https://t.co/x3Gow587gZ #contentchat https://t.co/SxCoh3DrvD

— Tod Cordill (@todcordill) March 4, 2019

How do you find “fresh” sources for stories?

HARO is an option, but the volume/quality of responses may be a hurdle, and you have to meet certain requirements to post.

One thing that I always need suggestions on is how to find “fresh” sources for stories. I tend to exhaust my network sometimes because I write so much. #contentchat

— Michelle Garrett (@PRisUs) March 4, 2019

I’m starting to work more with sources too, so am interested in answers! Right now, I’m turning some to the networking communities I’m in and that’s working well. HARO can pay off for some types of sources (legal and health care, for instance) #contentchat

— Kristen Hicks (@atxcopywriter) March 4, 2019

I used HARO frequently in the past, but I wasn’t psyched about the responses I received (too many, not on target, etc.) I’ve been seeing more folks asking their FB friends and sharing out that way (and have even responded that way) #ContentChat

— Erika Heald | Content Strategy (@SFerika) March 4, 2019

On that note, HARO won’t accept ALL queries…so when I need sources for some things, I can’t use it. )-:

— Michelle Garrett (@PRisUs) March 4, 2019

When you sign up for your account, they ask for your URL IIR, and for a specific Alexa ranking. #ContentChat

— Erika Heald | Content Strategy (@SFerika) March 4, 2019

Hmm yeah it is one of their requirements https://t.co/90bu97xUKY #ContentChat

— Erika Heald | Content Strategy (@SFerika) March 4, 2019

Facebook can be a great tool depending on your audience. Leverage relevant groups, or ask your Facebook friends (or LinkedIn connections) if they “know anyone who knows someone who” can help.

Hmmm….my personal FB wouldn’t be a good source, but maybe FB groups. #contentchat

— Michelle Garrett (@PRisUs) March 4, 2019

Especially if you position the ask as “do you know anyone who knows someone” or thereabouts. We all eventually know someone who knows someone… #ContentChat

— Erika Heald | Content Strategy (@SFerika) March 4, 2019

Michelle, are you in PR Divas? #ContentChat

— Erika Heald | Content Strategy (@SFerika) March 4, 2019

Universities are an often overlooked avenue. Check out Google Scholar to find relevant studies and reach out to the professors involved. Depending on how loyal your alma mater is, you can reach out to connections from your campus (this can include Facebook or LinkedIn groups for alumni or professors who may have someone they can link you to).

I’ve had success finding sources at universities. Sometimes contacting people or PR teams directly is more efficient than HARO. #contentchat

— Danielle Bullen Love (@daniellewriter) March 4, 2019

I search Google Scholar for relevant studies and reach out to the professors involved. Or I look for press releases on @newswise or @prnewswire. #contentchat

— Danielle Bullen Love (@daniellewriter) March 4, 2019

Should I pay to have interviews transcribed?

The community agrees that transcription services are worth the cost. Record your interviews so you can take notes without feeling pressure to write every word exactly, and use the transcript to revisit anything you may have missed.

Michelle, do you use transcription services or do it yourself? That’s the part I hate the most about source interviews, but I’m just coming around to the realizing that it’s probably worth paying to take it off my plate @PRisUs #contentchat

— Kristen Hicks (@atxcopywriter) March 4, 2019

It’s totally worth paying someone else to transcribe! +1 on https://t.co/E6YcCLQpvr. #contentchat

— Carmen Hill (@carmenhill) March 4, 2019

I usually record with Zoom then get a https://t.co/0Hwze0CkhJ transcript so I can take sketchy notes. #ContentChat

— Erika Heald | Content Strategy (@SFerika) March 4, 2019

I use Laureen Minnich at https://t.co/Jee1saMmqD, not https://t.co/b4VjBqvQCN per my previous (now deleted)tweet

— Marisa Reinoso (@marisareinoso) March 4, 2019

I did see someone recommend this site and say it was better quality than most automated ones, but I haven’t tried it yet: https://t.co/6VMJtJKks9 #contentchat

— Kristen Hicks (@atxcopywriter) March 4, 2019

Where should I explore guest post opportunities? Anyone want to cross-post?

Spin Sucks is one option (which Emilie just got a connection with), and we previously learned that Quora could be valuable for personal branding and to stand out from your competition.

One project I’m about to start on is finding a few opportunities for guest posts. Any suggestions? Anyone interested in working together on cross posting? (For anyone who doesn’t know me, the company I work for does printing – business cards, catalogs, banners, etc) #ContentChat

— Emilie Moreland (@writtenbyemilie) March 4, 2019

Definitely check out @SpinSucks as a potential place to pitch a guest blog post. #ContentChat

— Erika Heald | Content Strategy (@SFerika) March 4, 2019

Hey, Emilie! We’d love to hear from you if you have ideas for potential guest posts! Shoot our content director, @whit_danhauer, a DM and she can help you with next steps if you’re interested. pic.twitter.com/ypfZUb3tMs

— Spin Sucks (@SpinSucks) March 4, 2019

Does anyone have QA process examples?

Erika is going to follow up with David, but if you have any resources he can use, DM him!

Howdy, #contentchat community. Since you’re offering help: I’m training content reviewers in our QA process, and you use some fresh examples.

I’m especially after B2B pieces that:

– Make good/bad use of jargon
– Make good use of stats and data
– Have a strong sense of audience

— David McGuire (@McGuireDavid) March 4, 2019