{"id":9642,"date":"2020-02-18T08:00:55","date_gmt":"2020-02-18T08:00:55","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.naylor.com\/associationadviser\/?p=9642"},"modified":"2020-02-24T03:06:35","modified_gmt":"2020-02-24T03:06:35","slug":"who-should-be-on-your-content-squad","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.naylor.com\/associationadviser\/who-should-be-on-your-content-squad\/","title":{"rendered":"Who Should Be on Your Content Squad?"},"content":{"rendered":"

This article originally appeared on MightyCitizen.com<\/a>.<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

Your organization probably needs to create more content than it is right now.<\/p>\n

Like,\u00a0much<\/em> more.<\/p>\n

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\u201cContent is the gateway drug of small organizations.\u201d – Gary Vaynerchuk\n\t\t\t<\/div><\/div>\n

In fact, it\u2019s maybe the only way to accomplish some of your big organizational goals. Do you want to become a thought leader? You need quality content for others to critique. Trying to drive more online traffic? Good content brings conversions. Need to remain relevant to your audience? You have to consistently share valuable content.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s time for organizations (and especially mission-focused organizations) to\u00a0really<\/em>\u00a0invest in their content. That means figuring out the structure of your communications team and hiring strategically. In the same breath, I\u2019ll say that that\u2019s all easier said than done.<\/p>\n

Your Content Squad<\/h2>\n

Ideally, we all have the budget to hire a full team of highly-specialized people to produce and maintain our organization\u2019s content. But, back here on planet Earth, that\u2019s rarely the case. Maybe you\u2019re a one-person show holding it all together. Maybe you have a small team, but there\u2019s still too much to do.<\/p>\n

So, what\u2019s the best way to ensure you have a well-oiled content machine? You build your own content squad!<\/p>\n

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Managing Editor<\/h3>\n

The managing editor is the linchpin of your content marketing squad. They generate ideas and act as project managers, sourcing subject matter experts and running point on the execution of each piece of content. They do all the logistical framework that makes the work of the rest of the team as dynamic as possible. A good managing editor is obsessive about details, deadline-conscious, has serious copyediting chops, and checks their ego at the door.<\/p>\n

More than that, a managing editor prioritizes content governance. It\u2019s not just about publishing, but also maintaining, updating, and leveraging existing content to get it in front of more people. Time waits for no (wo)man\u2026or blog post. As long as you\u2019re publishing content, there should be as much focus on keeping it fresh and up-to-date as there is on creating it in the first place. Our own agency has adopted a best practice to update older content, especially if we know that it\u2019s popular among our audiences.<\/p>\n

Writer<\/h3>\n

Repeat after me: If everything else is equal, hire the better writer.<\/p>\n

If everything else is equal, hire the better writer.<\/em><\/p>\n

It\u2019s simply not enough to hire a\u00a0technically\u00a0<\/em>strong writer. It seems crazy to say, but mastery of elements like grammar, punctuation, usage, and syntax only go so far. You\u2019re looking for someone who can bring your content to life and\u00a0make people want to read it<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n

Here\u2019s a good test for hiring a writer: Have them write something for you about your organization. If it can hold your attention as someone intimately involved with the organization\u2019s day-to-day, there\u2019s a good chance it\u2019ll captivate the audiences you\u2019re trying to reach.<\/p>\n

Always hold out for a strong writer with\u00a0the power to weave a good story<\/a><\/strong>. Desired skills include curiosity, flexibility, and the ability to accept editing. Look for personality and someone who can bring ideas to the table, and the rest will follow.<\/p>\n

Designer<\/h3>\n

Good design is no longer a luxury, it\u2019s the cost of entry. Remember, bad design breeds distrust. Having a designer on the team helps extend what you\u2019re able to do with your content.\u00a065% of people are visual learners<\/a><\/strong>, and social media content will generate\u00a0almost double the views<\/em>\u00a0if it contains visual elements (Source<\/a><\/strong>). Design is not always a high priority for budgeting (and not having a designer won\u2019t break you), but giving your organization a unique visual identity is ideal.<\/p>\n

When it comes to hiring a designer, you\u2019re looking for someone prolific. Speed is important if they\u2019re your only designer. This may be a great opportunity for a junior-level or even an entry-level designer. Look for someone who is user-focused, social media savvy, and can bring new ideas to the team.<\/p>\n

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\"Grid<\/p>\n

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Building your content squad won\u2019t happen overnight\u2014it\u2019ll take some strategy and potentially some restructuring. Combine roles where it makes sense to staff the team that you need with the resources you currently have. Something is always better than nothing, and your organization (and your audiences) will surely benefit.<\/p>\n

Need some help organizing your content? Download Mighty Citizen\u2019s free\u00a0Editorial Content Calendar Template.<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

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Webinar:<\/h2>\n

You’re a Publisher Now<\/h3>\n

Thu, Feb 27, 2020 2 p.m. – 3 p.m. EST
\n\"MIghty<\/a>Are you a small (but mighty) marketing team tasked with creating all of the content for your nonprofit? How can you be more efficient in your content creation and make your content work much harder for you (without YOU having to work any harder!)?<\/p>\n

Here\u2019s what we know for sure: The more valuable, beautiful, useful content your organization puts into the world, the more supporters you\u2019ll attract and retain. It\u2019s a simple formula\u2014but it\u2019s easier said than done. In this lively, example-filled presentation, you\u2019ll learn how to foster a culture of content within your organization\u2014even if you\u2019re strapped for time, money, and resources.<\/p>\n

Designed for any communications professional who believes in the power of free, helpful, audience-focused content to support your organizational goals, this session is a must. By the end of this session, you should be able to:<\/p>\n