Events

Dive into the art and science of content marketing, the megatrend that is changing marketing forever—for the better. You may be using social media, search engine optimization, and analytics already, but if you combine these channels the results don’t just add, they multiply.

At Content Jam on Thursday, June 14, four experts will share the smartest content marketing tools and techniques.

What is Content Marketing? Content marketing is the modern method of pulling your audience towards your business. If you can connect with your audience by giving them information that will help them and teach them, some of them will become loyal customers.

Content Jam will give you a blueprint for:

• developing a content strategy


• creating compelling, useful content


• helping readers find it


•  measuring success

Who Should Attend? 
If you’re already marketing on the web, or you’re a small business owner wanting to promote your company in a bootstrap way, even new authors or job seekers. Content Jam will help you take your online marketing to the next level. And if you’re new to Content Marketing Content Jam is a wonderful introduction.

What exactly is Content Jam? 
Content Jam is a one-day conference featuring industry experts sharing their knowledge in a fun and casual environment. In four interactive sessions, you’ll learn how to create, manage, promote, share, and measure your content marketing efforts. You’ll be happy. You’re boss will be happy. And most of all, your audience will be happy.

Networking! Did we mention they’ll be networking?

What Will I Learn? 
Content Jam is all about distilling the theories and strategies of Content Marketing into easy-to-do tasks you can perform right away. During each of the four interactive sessions, you’ll learn how to write compelling content, how to plan what to write, how to make sure readers find it, and how to measure your success.

SESSION DESCRIPTIONS

What If I’m Not a Good Writer (or What If I Am)? Good content marketing is all about telling compelling stories. In Telling a Good Story Jill Pollack (@jillwritergrrl) will share professional writing tips and techniques to tap into your creative spirit while remaining true to corporate philosophy and marketing goals.

Think of this session as creative writing with a sprinkle of call-to-action and a dose of marketing message. Whether you write blog posts, website articles, or are just finding your writing voice, this session will teach you the secrets of interacting with your reader and beginning a profitable conversation.

You’ll learn:

• Finding the right details, hooks, frames, and voice


• Mapping out stories to fit your content strategy


• Telling a good story that drives engagement in 500 words or less


• Questions to ask before you start writing

How do I make a plan? And what do I do with all this content? 
Since your content marketing materials will lead people back to your primary digital presence—your website—you need to match what's "out there" with what's "in here." InDevising a Content Marketing Plan content strategist Hilary Marsh (@hilarymarsh) will share how to create a cohesive editorial calendar—prioritizing topics, coordinating all digital efforts, and developing the right mix for your key audience(s)—so that people who are drawn to you through your marketing efforts can learn more and start interacting with you.

You’ll learn:

• Creation versus curation: pros and cons


• How to create an editorial calendar


• How to define content types and allocate resources


• How to research search volumes and trending topics

How will readers find my stuff? 
Ah, the secret sauce to using search, social media and email to promote your content. InCreating and Sharing Content, Andy Crestodina (@crestodina) covers some of the most effective tactics for creating and promoting online content.

This session covers the fastest, cheapest and most effective web marketing tactics available. Real world examples and impact on Analytics will be discussed throughout. Andy will share his template for content marketing (and links to all the resources) with attendees.

You’ll learn:

• Keyphrase research for Search Engine Optimization (SEO)


• Structure and formatting of the perfect post


• Targeted sharing in social media


• Link building for SEO through guest blogging, news releases, videos, etc.

How will I know if It was worth it? 
To determine success, you have to learn about Measuring What Matters. Good content marketing efforts are for naught if you can't measure their effectiveness and plan accordingly. In this session Tim Frick (@timfrick) will share an in-depth look at measuring the metrics that define online success for your business or organization. Learn how to measure website visitor interactions, track how social media and content sharing efforts affect site performance, and make informed decisions regarding where to focus efforts moving forward.

You’ll learn:

• Important metrics versus ‘fluff’ metrics for content marketing


• How to track social media and content sharing performance


• How to connect email campaigns to website performance


• How to create actionable insights that drive content marketing efforts over time

EVENT DETAILS
Schedule
Sessions will take place in dedicated rooms four times over the course of the afternoon. Attendees can attend sessions in any order they wish.

11:00 to 12:00pm: networking and lunch for those who arrive early
12:00 to 12:30pm: welcome, introductions, panel discussion of basic terms
12:45 to 1:45pm: session one
2:00 to 3:00pm: session two
3:15 to 4:15pm: session three
4:30 to 5:30pm: session four
5:45 to 6:00pm: action items: tomorrow's To Do list
6pm: field trip to The Long Room (two-block walk from conference)

Space is limited for this event. Reserve your seat now.

Networking: There will be an after-event soiree at The Long Room on Irving Park immediately following the conference.