Content strategy is a relatively new term that began to be used in web circles in the late 90s. It's commonly used by many professionals now. What is it? Why should you care? Here's my short explanation of what content strategy is:
Content strategy provides useful information to your audience so they get what they want, when they want it, and how they want it. It's the planning, creation, and management of content in all forms.
If you bother to make content (create a website for example), it's worth thinking about content strategy. Simply put, you are more likely to get your goals met if you do some planning first.
Is content strategy the same as a communication plan? No. A communication plan would contain a content strategy. A communication plan is broader - it will specify overall goals for your organization, audiences, timelines, measures of success, etc.
You may be a very tiny business, perhaps a one person show, and wonder if you should be worried about this stuff. The answer is yes. You are more likely to be a successful and lasting business if you plan your communication. You will also then ensure you won't look like a zombie (book forthcoming on this topic).
If you don't have much time to devote to communication planning or content strategy, you can head the right direction by answering these questions:
- What is important to my organization? What values do I/we hold dear?
- What are my goals?
- Who is the primary audience I need to reach with my content? What are they like?
- How can I best reach them? What would they like to see?
This is a start toward a communication plan and content strategy. Let me know if you have questions or need help!