It’s the greatest week of the year: Content Marketing World is happening in Cleveland, Ohio, and we couldn’t be more excited. While there are several content gurus we are always eager to hear, including Marcus Sheridan, Jay Baer, Ann Handley and so many others, there are a crop of additional speakers filling up our time cards this year.
Here are the sessions and speakers we can’t wait to see next week.
Lars Silberbauer: Keynote—Inside LEGO’s Content and Social Program
Marcus Sheridan once wrote that The LEGO Movie was “the most effective 90-minute commercial for a ‘toy’ we’ve ever seen.” During this early morning keynote, we can’t wait to hear Silberbauer, global director of social media & search marketing at the LEGO Group, talk about the brand’s social media success and real-time content strategy, as well as discuss how consumer insights helped drive a better connection between the brand and kids of all ages.
Cameron Conaway: Journalism, Content Marketing & The Shared Wor(l)ds Between
Since journalism is a major pillar for content marketers, we know this session is bound to be a big hit. Conaway’s journalism work has appeared in Newsweek, The Guardian and ESPN, and he currently serves as the content marketing manager at Flow. Based on his background, we know he will help attendees discover which journalism tools content marketers should know and use. Plus, he will answer questions we are dying to know the answers to, including: How can companies capitalize on the changing nature of journalism? What can both fields teach us about creating valuable content?
Deana Goldasich: Getting Executive Buy-In for Content Marketing
As the CEO of Well Planned Web, Goldasich knows a thing or two about selling content marketing services. And one of the most difficult hurdles is often getting C-Suite members on board with the initiative. In this can’t-miss session, she will discuss:
- How to tackle the inevitable ROI discussion
- What fears and motives often blur executives’ view of content marketing
- How to ensure continued buy-in over time
Ayat Shukairy: Beyond Simple Numbers—ROI Through Data and Analytics
If there is one thing most content marketers could use some help with, it’s determining ROI. Shukairy, co-founder of Invesp, a conversion optimization company, will help those who attend her presentation effectively track their content and its effectiveness on its audience. More importantly, she will help marketers determine if their content is actually helping to make sales.
Rand Fishkin: The Absolute Most Up-to-Date Presentation on What the Heck is Going on With Search Engines
We admit Fishkin, founder of and Wizard of Moz, is not a new face to the content marketing speaker circuit. His name definitely belongs in the introduction with the other bigwigs, but we couldn’t resist this session. The title absolutely expresses how we all feel every time we hear about an update in Google’s algorithm. Here, Rand intends to explain which modern SEO aspects to consider and which to avoid.
Amanda Todorovich: Team Building—How to Staff, Structure and Budget a Content Marketing Team
The Cleveland Clinic is one of those companies it’s easy to develop a content crush on. As the Director of Content Marketing, Todorovich is responsible for the No. 1 most-visited hospital blog in the country, Health Essentials. During her session, she will share how Cleveland Clinic has built, staffed and structured its 20-person content marketing team.
Brian Carter: Facebook Advertising Lead Generation and Content That Sells
Over the past few years, content marketing has evolved past a “build it and they will come” strategy, and it’s no secret marketers need to invest in paid demand generation. Carter, who has 18 years of experience guiding The Carter Group, a consultancy that boosts profits for growth-minded businesses, is ready to share his secrets, which he has used to benefit high-profile companies such as NBC, Microsoft and Universal Studios.
Andrew Davis: Killer Content—How Brilliant Brands Create Less Content and Deliver Bigger Success
Again, there is no denying content marketing has changed—we no longer need to create tons of content for the sake of creating content. In fact, Davis, bestselling author, acclaimed keynote speaker and agency owner, offers five secrets marketers use to “turn marketing expenses into assets.” He also promises that attendees will be “inspired to create less content while delivering bigger success,” something we can all get on board with.
Allen Gannett: How to Create a Scalable Content Marketing Program
As content marketing grows, brands are forced to create more of it, employ more software and tools and put more time, money and effort behind distributing it. That means more resources. But scaling a content program isn’t always easy. That is why we are itching to get our hands on the data and case studies Gannett, CEO and founder of TrackMaven, will be using to demonstrate how marketers can harness analytics to get their content strategy back on line.
Michael Jr.: Finding Your Way—A Comedic Look at Finding Your Brand’s Mission
Making a living on the spoken word isn’t easy, but Michael Jr. is one of today’s most revered comedians, and we all know in-person speaking is just another form of content. So learning what the master of making people laugh has to say on the matter is a no-brainer. But more importantly, the message he will be delivering really hits home: why are you creating content? What is the bigger picture, and how can you help your audience see “the why behind your why”? We can’t wait to find out!
BONUS: IZEA’s Own Bill Momary: People & Conversion—The Heavy-Lifting Involved to Produce Successful e-Commerce Content
IZEA’s senior vice president of content, Bill Momary, will discuss the content strategies that e-Commerce brands are turning to in their efforts to drive traffic acquisition and conversions.
Not registered for Content Marketing World yet? What are you waiting for? Get these speakers on your agenda by signing up here. If you’re already attending, stop by the ASJA + IZEA meeting space to say hello!
