Are you on the same page as the developers you work with? Developers are likely not thinking about content as they put their heads down and start programming. What can you do to help developers think about content first – and involve you in the development process? To start, you should speak their language. Content strategists need to act as translators between developers and others on the team. When everyone is speaking the same language, results are better, projects are less stressful, and more people are happy. A seasoned content strategist shares tips on how to translate and direct the development of the website from a content-first position. It's the way of the future. Get on board early!

1. Content First – Guiding
Development
DC Content Strategy Meetup
March 6, 2012
Carrie Hane Dennison
Balance Interactive
#contentfirst
@carriehd

2. Content Strategy – A Definition
Thinking about content* from the earliest
stages of a project through maintenance.
*Content = text, images, video, documents, tools, etc.
Balance Interactive Inc. www.BalanceInteractive.com

3. When You Don’t Think About Content First
• Misdirection
• 11th hour $^*#storm
• Migration headaches
• Late, over-budget projects that don’t meet needs
• No content at all
• Re-dos
• Goals not met
• Unhappy end-users who toss out the site or the
CMS
Balance Interactive Inc. www.BalanceInteractive.com

4. When You Think About Content First
• Clear list of build tasks
• More depth to the content
• Smooth path to launch
• On-time, on-budget projects that meet needs now
and in future
• Happy end users & visitors
Balance Interactive Inc. www.BalanceInteractive.com

5. Do You Know the Language?
HTML
CSS
Programming language
Admin view of CMS
Balance Interactive Inc. www.BalanceInteractive.com

6. Who is in Charge of the Build?
Developer
Project manager
No one
Content strategist
Balance Interactive Inc. www.BalanceInteractive.com

7. 5 Steps to Become an
Active Member of Build
Team
Balance Interactive Inc. www.BalanceInteractive.com

8. Step 1
Learn the language
Outcome: Nothing lost in translation
Balance Interactive Inc. www.BalanceInteractive.com

9. Step 2
Don’t offer solutions – identify issues
Outcome: Buy in and better understanding of
problem and solution
Balance Interactive Inc. www.BalanceInteractive.com

10. Step 3
Remember your users
Outcome: a better site for visitors and better ROI
for organization
Balance Interactive Inc. www.BalanceInteractive.com

11. Step 4
Create a process
Outcome: Everyone knows what is going on and
better decisions are made
Balance Interactive Inc. www.BalanceInteractive.com

12. Step 5
Plan for the future
Outcome: A site that doesn’t have to be
redone for a different distribution method
Balance Interactive Inc. www.BalanceInteractive.com

13. Example
Balance Interactive Inc. www.BalanceInteractive.com

14. Conclusion
Just do it!
Balance Interactive Inc. www.BalanceInteractive.com

15. QUESTIONS?
Contact me: carrie.dennison@balanceinteractive.com
Follow me: @carriehd