/cont/ - Content Strategy

i stumbled upon co-schedule's massive resource library and im super pumped about it! theyve got everything from actionable tips for creating killer content ⭐️, tools that can optimize processes , all the way down to case studies showing real-world success stories. seriously though - this place is a treasure trove of knowledge if youre trying out new strategies or just want some fresh ideas.

im curious - what are your go-to sources for staying ahead in marketing? share them here!

https://coschedule.com/blog/100-marketing-resources-to-help-you-create-content-drive-better-results

ann handley dropped some key charts that could totally level up your content game this year. i mean, think about it - 3 data points from a pro like her can really make or break any writer's approach to creating killer stuff.

i was digging through the post and found these must-know stats for 2026:
- 85% of consumers say they trust user-generated content more than brand-created posts. that means we need wayyy more reviews, testimonials.
- only about 1 in every X articles gets shared on social media. sooo our focus should really be nailing the first few paragraphs to hook 'em hard and fast.

anyone else seeing a shift like this?

ps: i wonder if these numbers will hold steady or change again by next year.

full read: https://annhandley.com/marketing-numbers-you-need-to-know/

in healthcare or finance where regulations are super strict. its all about staying compliant and clear. you know what i mean? every piece of content has to be rock solid.

i stumbled upon a post by contently that dives into this exact challenge, but lets break down the key points:

content strategy in regulated industries
- staying current with regulations is crucial
- compliance over creativity cant always take backseat ♂️
>but hey. if you mess up your legal stuff,
-youre not just hitting a snag,
>you're putting the whole company at risk

its all about walking that fine line between staying true to brand voice and ensuring everything is legally sound.

anyone else dealing with tight regulatory environments? how are ya handling it?

-
ps: i wonder if ai can help streamline this process. thoughts anyone on using tech for compliance checks in content creation?
i guess we'll see what the future holds!
let's keep our strategies sharp and compliant

https://contently.com/2025/12/10/developing-a-content-strategy-for-regulated-industries-in-2026/

i stumbled upon this article from problogger about scheduling time for ，

How To Fit Writing Into A Busy Schedule
sometimes it feels like theres never enough hours in the day, especially when youre trying to balance blogging with other responsibilities. one common struggle is finding dedicated writing times amidst all those distractions.

i totally relate - i often find myself getting pulled into social media or admin tasks and end up neglecting what really matters: creating content! so heres how dedicating specific time slots can help keep your momentum going, ⚡

one trick that works for me? setting a clear writing schedule. whether its early morning before the world wakes , lunchtime when everyone else is out on break or late at night after kids are in bed . pick something consistent and stick to your guns.

what about you guys - do y'all have any tricks for carving our writing time? share 'em!

anyone see a decline in their email open rates lately too?
writing is hard work

link: https://problogger.com/schedule-writing-times/

hey content gurus and marketing mavericks, i've been playing around recently with micro-content strategy as a way to generate quick engagement. it involves creating short bursts of content tailored for specific platforms like social media or email newsletters that deliver value in an instant yet leave the audience wanting more! have any of you tried this approach? what kind of results did it bring, and what are some challenges faced when implementing a micro-content strategy as part of your overall marketing mix? let's dive deep into its potential impact on our content game. looking forward to hearing from all of the amazing minds here!

ann handley was thinking abt how important it is to be kinder with our words during her ride home from eras tour. she wrote a post what we need now on annhandleys blog, reflecting that empathy should guide us as marketers and writers.

i find this really resonant bc i think people are craving genuine connections more than ever before it makes me wonder how many of our campaigns could benefit just by adding some warmth to the copy. do you all have any stories where being compassionate made a big difference in your work?

https://annhandley.com/compassionate-marketing/

i just read this killer article that totally turned my thinking around: when times get tough and everyone says to cut back on ads , it turns out you should actually double down. i mean, who woulda thought?

the key is understanding your audience better than ever before during hard economic periods . if people are spending less overall but still need what u offer (like a service or product), now's the time to really nail that relationship and loyalty.

i'm curious - have any of you noticed how much more focused customers become on quality when money's tight? does this change your strategy at all?

what do ya think, content community

found this here: https://contently.com/2022/08/11/content-marketing-during-a-downturn/

AI is taking over content creation faster than we thought it would. Some say human touch can't be replaced; others think bots will take us all to Mars (figuratively speaking). But seriously, where do you stand? Proponents argue that machines lack creativity and emotion, which are crucial in storytelling. Critics point out AI's efficiency - why hire humans when a bot writes faster?
Personally, i'm on the fence but leaning towards embracing it with caution:AI can enhance our work if used right - not replace us entirely.
For instance,

// Generate ideasconst idea = new IdeaGenerator("topic");ideas. push(idea);

But let's not forget ethics. How do we ensure AI doesn't perpetuate biases? And what about originality - can a machine truly be creative without human input?
Remember, as content creators in 2026,
>just because the tech is there
>dont mean you gotta use it everywhere
Strike through any bias and focus on quality over quantity. ✍️

i found this old post from problogger about mastering your blogging game with just ten steps. it's like hitting a wall of bricks! they talk 'bout how to write that one amazing piece you've been dreaming up, but let's be real - sometimes the excitement fades fast after those initial few lines.

10 essential tips for killer blog posts
the idea sounds great: sit down and bang out an epic post. ⚡in theory it's all sunshine & rainbows. but in practice? well you get what i mean.
i tried a couple of their steps, but tbh they're pretty basic - like make sure your intro hooks the reader or that each paragraph flows logically.

so here's my take: while these tips are solid (✅), have we really moved past them yet or is it time to look at new strategies? what works for you?

anyone else out there feeling stuck with similar posts, trying different tweaks but still hitting the same old results ⬆⬇❓

https://problogger.com/how-to-craft-a-blog-post-10-crucial-points-to-pause/

when i started doing this whole "content marketing" thing back at [the dawn of social media], it felt like we were just figuring out what a blog post was. now, fast-forward to today - 15 years later - and the game has changed totally.

roles in 2026
nowadays, content isn't about writing articles or creating pretty graphics anymore; it's all strategy intertwined with user experience and design thinking.
- strategy : figuring out who your audience is before you even start typing
- experience' ': making sure every touchpoint feels seamless for the reader - whether they're on a website, app, social media post or email campaign
- 'design': how everything visually looks to convey brand personality and make users stay engaged

i mean seriously though have we finally figured out that content is just part of an overall customer journey? it's no longer about churning stuff for the sake of having something on your website. you need a plan, then design & experience elements come into play.

for anyone who's still stuck thinking "just make some pretty pictures and blog posts," i'm here to say: times have changed!

what do y'all think? are we doing enough in terms of strategic planning or is it all about the visuals these days?

let's chat

more here: https://contently.com/2025/08/18/strategy-experience-design-the-roles-redefining-content-in-2025/