Between endless marketing channels, new technologies, and responsibility overload, it’s easy for businesses, large and small, to lose sight of the big picture. As a content marketer in this busy world, you need to regularly step back, look up from the weeds, and think about your strategic goals. To do this, and to do it consistently, you need a content mission statement.

Although all teams that produce brand and marketing content use content operations, not everyone does it strategically. While it can be intimidating to create and implement a content operations workflow, doing so pays dividends. The right workflow can streamline processes, save significant amounts of time and money, and deliver higher-quality content for a better customer experience. 

Smart businesses of every kind know that they need a content strategy to create a stellar customer experience and succeed in today’s information-overloaded world. They need a guiding beacon, a North Star that’ll steer the development, delivery, and management of their content.

In this simple, four-step guide, we’ll share how to develop a content strategy plan that will help you make the most of your content. By asking the right questions, creating quality content, and leveraging useful tools like a digital asset management (DAM) solution, building a content strategy doesn’t have to be elusive!

The Best DAM Contest is always a highlight of the annual Widen Summit^®. Three contestants compete for the prize of Best DAM by sharing their digital asset management (DAM) accomplishments in an eight-minute presentation, and then attendees vote for the most impressive and inspirational story.

Not only do attendees hear about DAM successes directly from their peers, but each presentation is packed with ideas to apply to their own Widen Collective^® sites. All three contestants wowed our virtual audience with unique and actionable DAM strategies. Let’s take a look at key takeaways from each story.

What is a brand? Let me illustrate with a brand I'm partial to — New Balance. I used to think of New Balance as the maker of all-white, extra wide “dad” shoes. Now, as the proud owner of a dozen different pairs, I think of New Balance as a trendy, modern shoe that goes with my jeans and shorts. I can wear them out to dinner or to walk five miles. I can wear them anywhere!

New Balance fits my dad lifestyle. I feel that lifestyle when I check out their mobile app, open an email, see their sponsored posts on Instagram, or when I walk into the New Balance store and try on a new pair of shoes.

New Balance understands me well enough to offer suggestions for shoes I don’t even know I need – at a time when I’m not necessarily looking for new shoes – and I still want them!

The creative and marketing team at New Balance laced together an incredible string of technologies and workflows in order to create my omnichannel experience. They have shaped my impression of New Balance through a series of purposeful, memorable moments. Simply put, New Balance has mastered brand asset management.

Online customers can’t pick up products off the shelf so they rely on accurate product information and content to make purchases. Agencies who create digital experiences for their clients use product information management (PIM) software to deliver world-class omnichannel campaigns. Whether you’re in marketing, advertising, creative, or SEO, product information is central to any customer experience you build. 

PIM solutions bring all of your technical product data, marketing content, and digital assets into one system to launch and optimize successful omnichannel campaigns. Using a PIM solution gives you the ability to manage product information for many clients, publish products across multiple channels, and sync product data with tool integrations. You’ll even be able to measure the success of the assets you create. 

Here’s a look at how PIM software enables agencies to get results for global brands who want to compete and grow in the ever-changing digital landscape. 

For 10 years, we’ve been bringing customers together to learn, connect, and grow. We’ve built trust, created memorable moments, and connected virtually as the world worked from home. And while this year took a virtual stage again, the stories we shared were just as inspiring as they’ve ever been. 

With the September announcement that Widen has joined Acquia, many of this year’s keynotes highlighted what customers can expect as the two companies integrate. VP of Product, Deanna Ballew, said it best when she shared that “everything’s changed...and nothing’s changed.” Widen customers can still expect exceptional service and support, award-winning products, and a customer-informed approach to building software. 

Our customer speakers stole the show, though. From the fan-favorite Best DAM Contest to informative customer panels, this year, there really was something for everyone. 

Add collaborative marketing to your overall marketing strategy and you can gain new customers, increase brand awareness, and boost sales. To do it, you have to find a partner brand that aligns with your company’s values and has a similar audience. From there, you can plan and execute marketing campaigns that benefit you both.

When you find brands that have an audience with a need for your product and vice-versa, both companies can find new ways to meet and exceed their marketing goals. We’ll use this article to go into more detail about what collaborative marketing is, how you can use it, and some important details to clarify when partnering with other brands. 

Deciding to invest in a digital asset management (DAM) system is a big decision. If your content operations are minimal and a simple file-sharing tool does the trick, that may be a cost-effective way to go. But as your organization and content needs evolve, you’ll likely need a more robust solution. So, how do you know when it’s time for a DAM system? While the answer is different for every organization, here are a few telltale signs to look for.

A powerful content strategy has become the bullseye of modern marketing. But all too often, marketers miss their target.

We might have the sharpest arrows (content), but without the right bow (technology), it’s hard to aim. Digital asset management (DAM) is the bow that allows you to launch content with precision — and nail your content strategy.

To help you hit more bullseyes, we’ve created the Content Activation Model, a game plan that aligns your DAM system with your overall brand strategy. Our goal is to help you build a stronger brand by using DAM software to its full potential.