Content is the fuel that fills up social media’s tank. What you write, what images you share, what audio you produce, what videos you create—all that’s content. Without content, all your social media channels would be nothing but empty little spaces. You know this, of course, so that’s why you, savvy social media manager that you are, decided to attend this year’s Content Marketing World. At this event, you can fill up your social media tank with ideas, plans, goals, lessons, and all sorts of content marketing ideas, so you can keep on your amazing journey in social media and not sputter out.
If you’ve signed up and are a little shaky in the knees and bitey in the nails from event newbie nerves, don’t fret. We’ve asked some of the savviest marketing folks we know for their advice about how to get the most of their experience at Content Marketing World (and also, for fun, what they look forward to the most).
Andrew Davis | Andrew Davis
What tip would you give to a newbie (or even a seasoned pro) heading to Content Marketing World?
To truly make the most of your Content Marketing World experience, make sure you go to the sessions that make you the most uncomfortable. The sessions that challenge you to think bigger. Find the sessions that get above the tips and tricks, and really help you take bigger leaps towards becoming a better, more effective marketer.
What are you most excited about at CMWorld 2019?
Oh, boy, I’m most excited about seeing some of the best marketers in the world present some of the best ideas in the world. People like Michael Brenner, Jay Baer, Ann Handley, Tamsen Webster … the list is too long. Maybe I’m even more excited about talking to people who truly understand how effective content can be in increasing revenue. It’s going to be such fun!
Bernie Borges | Vengreso
What tip would you give to a newbie (or even a seasoned pro) heading to Content Marketing World?
Talk to as many people as possible. Talk to attendees, exhibitors, and presenters alike. Ask them why they are attending CMW. Ask them what are their greatest professional challenges. I don’t limit the question to content marketing challenges. Have genuine conversations. Show each person that you care by listening intently. Ask for their business card (even if they don’t have one). Tell them you’d like to connect on LinkedIn, then follow up with a personalized invitation that thanks them for the time they took to talk with you. Do this with no less than 20 people and get ready to make new relationships, some of which may become close friends.
What are you most excited about CMWorld 2019?
Seeing old friends and making new friends.
Cathy McPhillips | Content Marketing Institute
What tip would you give to a newbie (or even a seasoned pro) heading to Content Marketing World?
I have two! Pick the one you like!
Jump in. It’s really hard. I get it. But it will pay dividends both from a professional standpoint. And it will make your week so much better! Part of being at CMWorld (or any in-person event for that matter) is that you have the chance to recharge, be inspired, and be in a new environment for a few days. Make some friends. Walk up to a group. Better yet, if you’re part of that group, stop what you’re doing and look around for a second. Do you see someone standing alone? Ask them to join you.
You’re walking into an event with 250 speakers, over 125 sessions, workshops, and forums. Don’t focus on the shiny object, the speaker whose name you recognize. Think about what your business goals are for the next 12 months. Which sessions make the most sense for you? For your company? Build your schedule around actionable sessions that will help you achieve your goals. And if it includes a big name or two, great! But I bet by building your schedule in this way, you’ll leave happier, have a better experience, and will make a bigger impact when you’re back in the office.
What are you most excited about at CMWorld 2019?
The people! I say it every year, but the people at CMWorld make my job the best. I see faces I haven’t seen in person in 12 months, we hug, we catch up, we laugh. And we dive into our work, what has been successful, what hasn’t, we bounce ideas off one another. And then we catch up and laugh some more. This happens with the people I see every year, and then each year I make one or two really great connections that impact my job and life in some way. It’s magical and hard to explain. Magical may sound like a silly word, but it’s fitting for this event and this community.
Christoph Trappe | Authentic Storytelling
What tip would you give to a newbie (or even a seasoned pro) heading to Content Marketing World?
Have somewhat of a plan. Know what you want to learn and then find the topics that cover those topics and related topics to it. If you pick a session that’s less than useful to you, don’t feel bad to leave and find your back up session. Also, I highly recommend live tweeting to take notes and network at the same time with other attendees.
What are you most excited about at CMWorld 2019?
Reconnecting with old friends and making new connections.
Donna Moritz | Socially Sorted
What tip would you give to a newbie (or even a seasoned pro) heading to Content Marketing World?
Get yourself to the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame on the opening night and set the scene for a week of amazing connections, content, and takeaways. Here are a couple of tips for a fabulous Content Marketing World experience:
1. Content Marketing World is huge, yet one of the most connected conferences I have been to. You will feel like you are part of a big family, so make sure that you reach out to the Speakers or people you want to meet—everyone is super friendly and happy to chat with you.
2. Use the app to plan the sessions you want to attend ahead of time. Choosing is hard (it’s all so good!), but the upside is that you can watch replays as part of your ticket. Having your preferences on the app is a great way to remember what you want to watch on replay later on.
3. Go into each session with the intention of writing down one key takeaway that you want to take action on. Keep it to one or two things and you’re more likely to do it.
What are you most excited about at CMWorld 2019?
Getting my fix of amazing and innovative content marketing strategy from real-world case studies. Also, catching up with fellow speakers and friends. And, of course, the chance to share ideas and innovation with the tourism industry at my Tourism Lab on the final day. If you work in the tourism industry, then we’d love to have you join us!
Gini Dietrich | Spin Sucks
What tip would you give to a newbie (or even a seasoned pro) heading to Content Marketing World?
Don’t get stuck sitting in one hall or one room for all of the breakout sessions. Some of the best opportunities you’ll have at CMW are the serendipitous meetings you’ll have in the hallways of the conference center. So get out and walk around at least once a day and see who you find.
What are you most excited about at CMWorld 2019?
It’s my favorite conference of the year!
Ian Cleary | Razor Social
What tip would you give to a newbie (or even a seasoned pro) heading to Content Marketing World?
Spend a good bit of time before you arrive at the event planning what sessions you want to go to and who you want to meet. The success of the event will depend on the preparation you do. If there are great speakers there that can help your business, reach out to them and ask to go for a coffee. Also, make sure to buy the virtual pass and commit time to go through the best sessions when you go home. Networking is just as important as the sessions, and when you commit time to watch them when you go home, you are free for more networking!
What are you most excited about at CMWorld 2019?
I”m always most excited by the networking at the event. It’s amazing having several thousand people at a conference that really get content marketing so you have so many interesting conversations. I watch most of the sessions using the virtual pass and focus on networking at the event. It’s a great chance to catch up with old friends and make new ones. And of course, I always have an eye open for new business opportunities.
Leslie Carruthers | The Search Guru
What tip would you give to a newbie (or even a seasoned pro) heading to Content Marketing World?
Get the conference video so you can relax. This is a fire hose of wisdom and goodness (X10) available over a few days. Don’t stress … sessions will fill up and close before you can make it inside … just buy the video and then you can be with this incredible group of marketers. Spend time talking in the halls and breaks, knowing you can ingest it all back at the desk over the next few months. Bonus tip: Network your butt off; it’s an extraordinary opportunity to catch up with the best talent in the world. Do not skip the parties, evening gatherings and sidebars … they are gold.
What are you most excited about at CMW 2019?
The people! From agency peers to those representing major brands around the world, it’s incredible, really. Mind-blowing—no exaggeration.
Tamsen Webster | Find the Red Thread
What tip would you give to a newbie (or even a seasoned pro) heading to Content Marketing World?
Map out your top sessions in advance … and don’t try to get to them all. Prioritize, prioritize, prioritize … and prioritize taking breaks. It can get overwhelming!
What are you most excited about at CMW 2019?
Seeing new content from speakers I’ve seen before and getting to know new speakers and *their* content!
Andrew and Pete | ATOMIC
What tip would you give to a newbie (or even a seasoned pro) heading to Content Marketing World?
Try to make some new friends and strengthen existing relationships by going to meet-ups.
What are you most excited about at CMWorld 2019?
Meeting Mindy! ? And also catching up with some amazing people!
AJ Huisman | Content Marketing Fast Forward
What tip would you give to a newbie (or even a seasoned pro) heading to Content Marketing World?
Download the app. Create a bespoke schedule, connect with other attendees and speakers, and stay up to date of all the parties that are going on. Bring some party clothes … preferably orange 🙂
What are you most excited about at CMWorld 2019?
To see all my long-time friends that I’ve made over the years since CMWorld #1 and make some new ones, of course!
Heidi Cohen | Actionable Marketing Guide
What tip would you give to a newbie (or even a seasoned pro) heading to Content Marketing World?
Every Content Marketing World attendee should visit the ArtLens Gallery at The Cleveland Museum of Art. Beyond its status as a gem of a museum, this AI-powered content experience underscores 2019’s seismic content marketing shift. ArtLens delivers a personalized experience across devices. As a result, it continues to increase results across all of their metrics. This world-class application of leading-edge content and data technology will teach you more than any single CMW session. (Sorry, Stephanie and Cathy!) Further, it’s the only one of its kind in the world. BTW, did I mention that it is free and open until 9 pm on Wednesdays?
What are you most excited about at CMWorld 2019?
Beyond reconnecting with my CMW friends and colleagues from around the world and making new ones, I am totally psyched about my Continuous Content Distribution Playbook session on Wednesday, September 4th at 10:15 am in the Hope Ballroom (located in the Hilton). Why? Because my all-new, hot-off-the-press presentation focuses on the seismic content marketing shift that has taken place during the last 6 months. Even better, I took a page from the Hollywood playbook. So I’m including outtakes. (Translation: Charts, additional examples, and related links to help attendees implement these strategies and tactics.)
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We hope these conference-attendance tips help you have a positively awesome and memorable Content Marketing World experience and that you return home with content ideas galore for all your social media channels.
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