Theodor Seuss Geisel had a knack for many things. Little did he know that he’d be a damn good teacher to the modern content marketer.

Although his insights can be applied to many industries and myriad topics, today we’re viewing famous Dr. Seuss quotes in the context of content marketing. Follow along as we cover nine very pertinent lessons.

1. “Teeth are always in style.”

While content marketing may evolve, there are certain tactics that will always be on trend because they work. Don’t mess around when you find a good thing, or you’ll risk creating cavities in your marketing budget.

2. “Only you can control your future.”

Do you have a documented content marketing strategy? If you’re reading this without one, you’ve just discovered the biggest threat to your future success.

3. “Sometimes the questions are complicated and the answers are simple.”

As marketers who are constantly on the search for the pièce de résistance of our content plan, we often overlook the KISS principle. Well, guess what? Creating content that’ll launch your ROI into the stratosphere doesn’t require a PhD in rocket science. If you look too deep, you might miss a simple idea with the potential to go viral quickly and produce long-lasting results. 

4. “So the writer who breeds more words than he needs is making a chore for the reader who reads.”

Brevity is a skill. Practice it.

5. “A person’s a person, no matter how small.”

Let’s replace the person in this scenario with content. In our fast-paced and increasingly mobile world, consumers don’t have the time to digest lengthy pieces of content. As a result, the impact of microcontent is greater than many marketers believe. With its growing importance, it’s critical to ensure every bit of copy offers high value no matter its length.

6. “Today I shall behave, as if this is the day I will be remembered.”

The way you behave online affects your brand’s reputation. As many business owners have learned, you can’t come back from some things. Since the Internet remembers everything, think before you hit the publish button.

7. “Why fit in when you were born to stand out?”

Are you following the crowd, or flying under the radar so you don’t upset anyone? If you answered “yes,” you need to re-evaluate what you’re doing. Content marketing allows you to distinguish your brand with your authentic voice and unique personality. It allows you to show consumers why you’re the difference they need. Don’t go Charlie Sheen tiger-blood crazy, but don’t let your competitors eclipse your brightness either.

8. “You’ll miss the best things if you keep your eyes shut.”

If you still hide behind the safety of your blinders, you’re missing opportunities to reap the rewards of an effective and comprehensive content marketing strategy. You have to look at the bigger picture before you can focus on the things that matter to your brand. Therefore, you should be researching consistently, keeping track of emerging trends relentlessly, learning from mentors regularly, studying content marketing diligently, and watching key conversations between competitors, prospects, influencers, and other stakeholders constantly. Be aware of what’s going on around you so that you’ll be less likely to miss the good revenue-generating stuff.

9. “I’m sorry to say so but, sadly, it’s true that bang-ups and hang-ups can happen to you.”

No one is immune to mistakes, least of all content marketers. Make one tiny error and the grammar police will pounce on you like kids around a broken piñata. Whether it’s a wayward tweet or misused word, be prepared to make blunders. How you handle the situation is what counts.

As much as Dr. Seuss was known for his brilliant illustrations and whimsical turn of phrase, he was also known to scrap about 95% of his material before nailing down a theme. Perhaps it’s the now-oriented world we live in, but some ideas turn out better when left to marinate. There’s no denying that content marketers can learn a lot from Theodor Geisel, but the biggest lesson of all is that we should never stop pushing ourselves to be better at what we do.

What’s your favorite Dr. Seuss quote and how can you relate it to content marketing? Join the conversation in the comments section. 

As personalized search continues to transform the way Internet users experience content, we increasingly rely on technology to identify and deliver relevant results. These filters are great for managing the overwhelming amount of information that can be thrown at us with a single search, but there’s still a need to sharpen our sixth sense for all the junk that gets through. After all, algorithms aren’t always perfect.

Even though most users appreciate the convenience of algorithmic personalization, this type of technology still lacks the ability to identify value on a human level. So, what is one to do? From a consumer’s point of view, it’s as simple as clicking away from a page when content isn’t helpful. From a content marketer’s point of view, value can be derived by turning that junk into treasure.

What Constitutes Junk Content? 

You’re likely thinking about infuriating filler content right now. While you’re not wrong, junk content encompasses so much more. From nonsensical ads and inflammatory social media posts to cringe-worthy YouTube scripts and bait-and-switch headlines, this type of content simply serves little purpose and offers little value. What constitutes content junk may be subjective in some cases, but if you can improve it, you can use it.

Following are four simple ways you can turn another marketer’s trash into your treasure.

1. Learn From It

We all wish we had the benefit of hindsight before making a mistake. Thankfully, we don’t always have to be the one in error—or suffer the consequences—to benefit from a learning experience. Compile a “what not to do” portfolio so that your creators will avoid written and visual content you deem to be unfit for publication.

2. Solve the Problem

There are few better ways to build credibility than by showing off your expertise. Begin by explaining what’s wrong with the third-party content you’re sharing and then offer suggestions for improvement in a makeover or clinic style post. If you have the time, make it interactive by asking readers to submit their own failed pieces for critique.

3. Curate It

Content curation is one of the easiest ways to deliver meaningful information to your audience without having to create something from scratch. While curation is usually about finding quality sources of content, there’s no reason you can’t transform something that’s relatively worthless into something your readers will enjoy.

Once you’ve aggregated enough junk content around a specific topic, find ways to repurpose and repackage the content for your target demographic. “Top fails,” “biggest mistakes,” and “worst of” listicles are extremely popular. To ensure you make your post a worthwhile read while imparting your own brand flavor, make sure you add relevant commentary and insight.

4. Improve It

How many times have you discovered a piece of content and instinctively known you can do better? The chances are it happens every day. While you don’t want to recreate the piece, you can use junk content to fuel inspiration for your own masterpiece. If the core idea is good, but the execution is poor, harness your own creativity and knowledge to engage your target audience and deliver something useful.

Pieces of junk content you can successfully leverage for your own brand’s benefit are few and far between. However, you shouldn’t ignore those unexpected diamonds in the rough. Fair use doctrine only extends so far, though, so make certain you abide by copyright law to ensure you don’t land in hot water unintentionally. Never copy content in its entirety and always share a link to the original.

How would you turn junk content into treasure? We’d love to hear your ideas, thoughts, and tips so feel free to share them with us in the comment section. 

Did you know that a common trait in highly successful people is focus? They understand what it takes to accomplish anything worthwhile, and there’s very little that can derail them from their mission. Focus doesn’t always come easily though.

If you reach the end of campaigns to find you’ve been disappointingly ineffective, or your never-ending to-do list only reminds you of your inefficiency, the chances are your focus could do with a little fine-tuning. How do you accomplish that?

1. Home In On One Core Goal and Buyer Persona at a Time 

One of the biggest mistakes we can make as content marketers is to treat a single piece of content as if it’s the Swiss Army Knife of our strategy. We expect it to be multifunctional—all things to all people while achieving all business goals. Unfortunately, that’s not how it works.

Besides creating confusion, you risk diluting your message and minimize your ability to impact an audience. Be strategic about the pieces you create, but be focused in terms of the people you’re talking to and the objective you want your content asset to achieve. Anything else is a waste of marketing dollars.

2. Stop Trying To Multitask 

Attempting to complete a number of complicated tasks simultaneously increases exposure to stress. This can impair your prefrontal cortex, which is the part of the human brain that intelligently regulates your emotions, thoughts, and actions. The sheer overwhelm can lead to a decrease in attentiveness, an increase in errors, and lower productivity.

While content marketing sometimes necessitates multitasking, it’s crucial not to make it a habit. For better results, focus on one thing at a time so that you eliminate brain fog, improve productivity levels, and execute tasks as flawlessly as possible.

3. Learn To Do One Thing Exceptionally Well 

As much as multitasking can take your eye off the ball, so can dabbling. If you find yourself spending too much time on social media, design, management, or business aspects that don’t apply to your content marketing efforts, you’ll quickly find you’re able to slip into multiple roles, but you’re not exceptionally great at any one of them.

Being all over the place doesn’t serve you, and it doesn’t serve your business. Rather stick to the meat and potatoes of content marketing so that you reap the rewards of excellence, not mediocrity. Don’t forget that you don’t need to bear the burden on your own if you’re a small business owner. Outsourcing things like content creation and social media management can help you stay focused while ensuring you derive the benefits of content marketing on a limited budget.

4. Get Rid Of Distractions 

From email alerts and social media notifications to text messages and unexpected interruptions, it’s becoming increasingly difficult to concentrate in today’s corporate environment. Unfortunately, these distractions not only decrease productivity, but they also negatively affect focus and hinder quality of work. Therefore, it’s important to carve out sufficient time each day to concentrate on specific projects. Eliminate all distractions for optimal focus.

5. Learn To Say “No” 

Many content marketers suffer from FOMO (fear of missing out). The problem is it just isn’t possible to employ every tactic, implement every idea, or even respond to every blog comment. While seizing an opportunity is usually favorable behavior, saying “yes” to one more thing is sometimes like being on the losing end of Jenga. Why would you risk toppling an unstable tower when it’s within your power to avoid it? Just make sure that when you do say “yes,” it’s because the thing you’re agreeing to supports your goals without taking focus off what you’re already doing.

With these tips in mind, should you stop thinking in broad terms then? No. Whether you’re applying content marketing principles to your own business or someone else’s, you have to look at the bigger picture to identify gaps, pinpoint areas of opportunity, and solve problems. You simply need to remember that your success will eventually depend on a single-minded focus.

Are you someone who struggles to focus? What are you currently doing to build discipline in this area? Join the conversation in the comment section.

Nearly every entrepreneur and marketer has been in the same boat at one point or another—asking questions rooted in that dreaded emotion: fear. Will anyone care what I have to say? Are my ideas good enough? How am I going to stand out in an already overcrowded market? What if people react negatively? What if I fail?

There’s no doubt about it; fear will cripple your ability to be a great marketer if you let it. It will slowly rob you of your confidence and courage, leaving behind someone who would readily give up hope of building a viable business to sit on the sidelines and watch others claim the glory of their great ideas.

If you’re ready to stop talking yourself out of doing things that could potentially expand your business and elevate the position of your brand, then join us as we explore some common content marketing fears.

Will People Notice My Brand? 

Attracting new prospects, building awareness, enhancing brand image, and boosting customer engagement are some of the biggest draws of content marketing. However, you may feel like a small fish in a big pond just thinking about the sheer size of the Internet community and the number of competitors already operating in your industry.

Will people interact with your blog, like and share your social media content, or download your whitepaper in exchange for an email address?

First, it’s crucial to understand that content marketing doesn’t diminish the importance of in-person interactions for not only building meaningful relationships, but also building a team of brand advocates who naturally share your content because they think you’re great. Second, there is room for everyone on the Internet—even in seemingly overcrowded segments. It’s your USP that’s going to make a difference. Third, it can take time to build an audience, even with a rock solid strategy that follows all best practices to a T.

With that said, if you’re worried you’ll remain invisible when you haven’t yet raised your virtual voice, you’re sabotaging your success before you’ve even begun.

What If I Make A Horrible Mistake?

What, like some of these guys?

Often, it’s the fear of consequences that stop us from going for what we want. The good thing is you’re thinking about consequences. It’s the ill-worded or ill-timed Tweet, the poorly thought-out newsjacking, or misguided content ideas that get your fellow marketers into trouble. Pay attention to what you’re making available for public consumption before you hit the publish button, but also realize you’re human. You won’t be the first person to make a mistake, and you certainly won’t be the last. It’s content marketing, not skydiving.

Do I Really Know What I’m Doing? 

Fears around building a content marketing strategy and measuring ROI usually stem from a lack of knowledge and indecision. A lack of knowledge can easily be remedied, but when it comes to indecision, you need to keep in mind that your strategy is living, not static.

Sure, creating an actual document forces you to commit to an approach, but it’s something that’s continually adapted based on your content marketing KPIs and results. If things aren’t working, re-evaluate. Your confidence in what you’re doing will develop as you inch closer to your goals.

What If My Ideas Aren’t Unique Or Good Enough? 

With so much content already online, the reality is you’re bound to say or do something someone else has already said and done. The important thing to remember is you’re creating a user experience unique to your audience. You’re adding your own flavor, sharing your special talents, and bringing a fresh perspective to the table. Even though it’s intimidating when competitors have been doing a great job for so long, don’t underestimate your ability to provide exactly what your target audience needs when they need it.

My Content Might Not Be Perfect 

From major fears such as failing to create an authentic voice to minor fears such as typos, content marketers can work themselves up over problems that often have simple solutions. In many cases, outsourcing to professional writers, copywriters, designers, and editors can instantly improve the quality of content assets.

In other instances, it’s as simple as focusing on the right aspects. Instead of asking, “Is this funny enough? Clever enough? Engaging enough? Attractive enough?” Ask yourself, “Is this effective?” If the right people see your content and they’re taking action, there’s nothing to fear.

Perhaps Shakespeare said it best: 

“Our doubts are traitors, and make us lose the good we oft might win, by fearing to attempt.”

What are your greatest doubts and fears? What are you doing to push past them? We’d love to hear your take on this so contribute your thoughts to the conversation below.