Blog Library
Beyond blogging: deep content to change your business and your life
We are massive fans of deep content - original research , a books, guides, courses. This is the kind of content that can really shake things up, propelling your business into clear water. Here’s why creating deeper content matters, with ideas on how to get started.
How it all started. The story of the School of Valuable Content
Our Valuable Content journey began over 12 years ago, helping businesses find their stories and communicate them to the world. While the work was rewarding and exciting, it was not scalable. Here’s what happened next, and how we used content to carve a new path.
The goosebumps test. Or how to tell if your idea is good.
Knowing what to write is over half the battle, don’t you think? Sure writing is hard work, and it can be time consuming, but if you’re working on an idea that excites you then it’s usually a good experience.
Here’s how to find an idea that will sustain your interest and win you work.
6 steps to pull the right leads your way this year
If you want to create more leads this year, focus on your content. But how? Where to focus? Here’s our view. Six steps to take, and an example of the approach in action. Enjoy!
Further adventures in the Land of Content
It was a year of experimentation at the School of Valuable Content. Of trying to find ways to help people create the content they need for their businesses. Of leaning into the different kinds of writing for the different kinds of content a business needs.
And more this year than ever before, not just what to write but how to write it.
What newsletter style is right for you?
Newsletters are a really useful tool in your content marketing toolbox. We’d say they are the most useful one of all. They’re the most direct, the warmest and the simplest way to build a community around what you do.
Survey results -the biggest content blocks are … emotional
As a small business owner or freelancer, when you’re creating and sharing valuable content you put a lot of yourself into your process. So it’s no surprise that some of the biggest stumbling blocks are emotional, rather than practical. Check out our survey results.
How a movement found its voice
Community Organisers are valuable content heroes. A great case study to learn from if you have an important concept to share at the heart of your organisation or business, and you need to get the word out widely and the message to connect.
Why success stories, not case studies, will fuel your marketing
Customer success stories make for super valuable content. Better than the traditional case study, this is the type of information people crave. Here’s why, with tips on how to write them.
How to write less and say more
Brevity is a gift. When there’s more to read than you’ll ever have time for, it’s a joy to find a succinct answer to your question. Being able to say what’s needed in a few good words is a skill that will help you communicate more easily. Not every piece of writing needs to be short, of course, but in many places short copy is vital.
How do you find the time to write valuable content?
‘Finding the time to write’ is always a big challenge for would-be content creators. It seems there’s never enough time to do all the things you have to do, let alone the things you want to do. Here’s how to carve space to write valuable content.
Write your way to the future you want
Here’s an exercise from Content Writing Club that combines goal setting with creative writing. Try it to help you uncover what you really want to achieve, and chart a way to make it happen.
5 reasons smart people find blogging intimidating. And 5 ways to tame those blogging fears.
Many experts and consultants know that blogging regularly will help make their expertise visible, but fear of writing stops them in their tracks. Why? And what can you do about it? How do you allay those blogging fears. Here's our view.
Four favourite content types to include in your content marketing plan
A simple four pillar framework to work your content marketing plan around: 4 foundational content types that clients and customers appreciate, and a useful structure for any good content marketing plan.
How to improve your writing with feedback
Giving and receiving feedback can seriously improve your content writing. Here’s how.
Is this content valuable? A simple checklist
A simple content planning checklist to use for your blogs, newsletters and other content, to help you decide which ideas are worth investing in, and which to park. This will save you time!
How to create valuable content in a sea of ‘meh’
Content, content everywhere. How do you make stuff that matters? Here are some useful ideas to help you create content that connects in an overcrowded digital world.
Can the simple act of writing make you happier in dark times?
Journaling is a well documented practice for boosting personal wellbeing, but how about business writing – blogging and other forms of valuable content? Can the simple act of writing for your business make you happier, and keep you sane too?
Content in the Covid era - 6 enduring lessons never to forget
When the whole world goes into collective shock, what did it mean for your content? What connected? What repelled and got ignored? Here are the biggest lessons for the way we communicate with our communities and clients in 2021.