Launching a website is just the starting point in digital marketing
Launching a website can be an organization’s web team’s big project for a good amount of time. Project plans are put into place. Decisions are made on what content management system to use. Rolls are defined. Milestones are laid out. People start implementing. Launching a website does feel like a project because there is a […]
Read MoreHow do we know whether or not a new technology will actually improve our healthcare experience?
The Healthcare Leadership Chat on Tuesdays on Twitter is one of my favorite Twitter chats. On May 23, 2017, the topic covers technology in healthcare. That’s like three important and favorite topics of mine in one: Twitter (social media), technology and also customer/patient experience. I’ll try to participate live – as always – but also wanted […]
Read MoreWhy it’s actually important to talk about politics or at least pay attention
Many of us are taught – or believe – to not talk about politics. I even remember when I was growing up in the 1980s and 1990s my family didn’t. People went to vote and that was that. Nothing to discuss. But it was also a rather uneventful time period. Yes, there were conflicts and […]
Read MoreWhy digital marketers must be okay with constant rejection and how to deal with it
A look at how digital marketers can deal with constant rejection and move forward for digital marketing success.
Read MoreWhy content marketing practitioners actually have to specialize to a degree
A look at why well-rounded content marketing practitioners who are experts at everything likely don't exist.
Read More[PERSONALIZATION] Designing for the masses is not the future
You hear the so-called experts out there who say they test and measure and whatever else the latest buzzword in digital marketing is. Buzzword bingo can be fun, but does it actually helps us create better customer experience? Not always. Talking still needs to be backed up by the right walk! We put this box […]
Read MoreThe latest blogging-related marketing technique: “Reverse content marketing”
Reverse content marketing - a new way to reach out to potential customers. This article looks at how that's done.
Read More[CONTENT MARKETING] How I learned to love ❤️ growth hacking
I’m really not a fan of buzzword bingo. So when I first heard the term growth hacking I simply thought “oh great another buzzword that I now have to use.” Or ignore. 🤔😱😩 I’ve thought of myself as a content guy for many years. Even when I worked as a journalist there is a certain […]
Read MoreThe value of thinking time can’t be measured in time
I was watching Dave Chappelle, the standup comedian, on Netflix at the gym on a cardio day and it started like this: Dave was sitting on a chair and staring off into the distance. The voiceover said this is where all of his ideas come from and he calls this “the stare.” Oh no, how […]
Read More#AdobeSummit blog: Why you should stop knee-jerk reactions in #digitalmarketing
A look at the importance and impact of ideas. Audience: CMOs, communications and marketing leaders
Read More#AdobeSummit: Why would I ever need a 3D photograph of myself?
Disclaimer: Adobe invited me to the Adobe Summit North America 2017. This post was not approved by them. They didn’t even get a preview. It’s my opinion and if you agree it’s yours too. 😂🤔 I often try to avoid the booths (aka vendor) area at conferences but try to at least get a quick […]
Read MoreMarketing and communications: Why sharing your strategy is not a weakness
A visit to a childrens’ place reminded me that it’s quite OK to share our strategies with others. Just because others know our strategies doesn’t mean that they can actually implement them or even want to. But yet I often still see the attitude and mindset by marketers and communicators that their strategy needs to […]
Read MoreDigital marketing leaders: Be prepared to repeat yourself A LOT!!!
“How many more times do I have to explain this?” “I’ve said that for years.” And at some point people understand it, actually hear it and most importantly – believe it! But as a (digital) change agent you might as well get used to one thing: You’ll repeat yourself a lot. Maybe even for years […]
Read MoreWhen will we think of revenue models outside of advertising online?
Facebook Live now allows broadcasters to take commercial breaks. All in the name of innovative revenue models. Or something like that. The thing is, many of us moved our consumption from traditional channels to digital channels so we could avoid endless interruptions with TV commercials and maybe even unnecessary print ads in magazines and newspapers. But […]
Read MoreWhy good marketing teams use the 24-hour rule of feedback
Feedback – even when it stings or is wrong – can be tremendously helpful. We can learn from it and make necessary adjustments. At the least, we get an idea how others perceive us. But feedback that is about something too long ago is just worthless and it usually only serves one of two intentional […]
Read MoreWhy the digital gurus are wrong and print is NOT dead!
I love digital storytelling. More so than many of the corresponding offline and print counterparts to digital channels like blogs, social media and news notifications. But, repeat after me: Print is not dead! Here’s an inventory of exhibits: My mailbox. The one outside my house. If direct mail didn’t work at all, how come so […]
Read MoreWhy editing for preference is the biggest waste of time in content marketing
Everyone who creates content likely has had an editor who edited for preference only. They change words because they like another word better. Not because it actually makes a difference to the audience or impacts that story’s performance. I even once had an editor who admitted that he edited to “add value, and it’s my job.” […]
Read MoreHow to not become the latest shiny object on the shelf
I’ve been the latest shiny object myself. I’ve also crowned others as the new king, queen, savior, whatever. Of course, the shiny object means the latest thing or person to which we are paying attention. It’s the one thing that will save us. They will help us disrupt. <Insert additional cliches here.> New leadership hires often […]
Read MoreNew job opening: Chief Office Politics Officer
You may have seen some of the new roles people have come up with over recent years: Chief Digital Officer Chief Listening Officer Chief Content Officer Chief Transformation Officer Chief Engagement Officer Chief Intel Officer The list goes on, and some of these roles actually could help organizations be more successful and transition at least […]
Read MoreWhy not to worry about the “industry standard!”
The so called “industry standard” is something many marketers talk and care about. What’s the industry average, and are we a bit better? Let me rephrase that: Are we slightly above industry average? Who wants to be average? I don’t. I’m trying to be the best version of myself and in my field – however […]
Read MoreIs authentic storytelling content marketing still a differentiator when everyone does it?
Here’s the scenario: Two competitors both use similar authentic storytelling content marketing techniques. They all read my book, which you can order here.Ha. But seriously, let’s take that scenario. Is this technique still usable when everyone – including our competitors – use it? Totally! Yes. Yes. You own your stories and others own theirs. Many […]
Read More
How technology companies can use content marketing to stand out and grow business
Technology can be sticky, and once you use a particular technology that mostly works, it can be hard (mentally and practically) to move away from it. A simple example is WordPress, which I use on this blog. It allows me to easily blog from my phone and desktop. I can easily grow my mailing list […]
Read More
Being authentic doesn’t mean we should be boring
But that’s just how I am. Boring. That’s how I talk. Isn’t being me what Authentic Storytelling is about? Yes, totally, but boring authentic stories don’t get consumed. They get ignored. If you are boring, it doesn’t mean you have to change completely, but just know that your stories might not be as impactful as […]
Read More
VIDEO: How helpful marketing teams can find ways to publish stakeholder content
Helpful storytellers often find ways to find a story for just about any topic. Look a little deeper to help people share their stories. Here's how.
Read More
Why not to shoot for being the next Uber or Amazon
I hear it all the time: We want to be the next Uber … or Amazon … or somebody else that is successful in a newer niche. But what if it’s not about being the next somebody else? What if we just focus on being a better and more succeful version of ourselves? It’s doable. […]
Read More
Why do we blame people for telling us the truth?
Hearing the truth – especially when it’s negative – can hurt. It’s so much easier to live in la-la land where everything is great. In reality, even when most things are great there are always some that aren’t. “Hearing the truth – especially when it’s negative – can hurt.” – @ctrappe Click To Tweet When […]
Read More
How journalists can establish their personal brand for content marketing success
One way for journalists, and really just about anyone, to get into content marketing is by having a strong brand. Of course the first step in getting a strong brand is to build one – in part through participation. There are certainly many self-proclaimed experts out there who don’t practice what they preach but somehow ended […]
Read More
My Authentic Storytelling Book
"Get Real: Telling Authentic Stories for Long-term Success" discusses why you, your organization and anyone really should consider sharing authentic stories with each other ... READ MORE
My customer service book
Confirmed talks
Berlin, Germany
June 29, 2017
Raleigh, NC
Aug. 22, 2017
Speaking feedback
Top 10 Content Marketer
on Klout 2016
Quotes
Christoph
May 25, 2017
Change Leadership, Strategies, Technology, Workflow