Content Rules

How to Create Killer Blogs, Podcasts, Videos, Ebooks, Webinars (and More) That Engage Customers and Ignite Your Business (New Rules Social Media Series)

By: Ann Handley, C. C. Chapman

Narrated by: Ann Handley, C. C. Chapman

Length: 6 hrs and 53 mins

Publisher's summary

To market your business, reach new customers, and create long-lasting loyalty, you need one indispensable element: CONTENT. Whether it’s bite-sized tweets that allow you to forge relationships on Twitter, blog posts that give your readers must-have advice, ebooks or white papers that engage (and don’t bore), videos that share the human side of your company, interactive webinars that deliver a valuable learning experience, or podcasts that can be downloaded and listened to on the fly (and more!) . . . now more than ever, content rules!

Today, you have an unprecedented opportunity to create a treasury of free, easy-to-use, almost infinitely customizable content that tells the story of your product and your business, and positions you as an expert people will want to do business with.Ann Handley and C.C. Chapman, business writers, speakers, and marketing thought leaders for clients such as The Coca-Cola Company, HBO, and Verizon FiOS, show you how to leverage all of today’s tools to create content that truly speaks to your audience. They’ll show you how to:

• Understand why you are generating content—getting to the meat of your message in practical, commonsense language, and defining the goals of your content strategy
• Explore ways to integrate searchable words into your content without sounding forced (or sounding like “Frankenspeak”)
• Write in a way that powerfully communicates your service, product, or message across various Web mediums
• Create a publishing schedule that allows you to create different kinds and types of content at once

Offering examples of businesses using content effectively across a wide range of industries and fascinating explanations of how you might approach your own content strategy, Content Rules is the essential field guide to creating your story, finding the right balance of humor and humanity in your content, and building a portfolio of value that will keep delivering for the long haul.

©2010 Ann Handley, CC Chapman (P)2011 Gildan Media Corp

Solid content, so-so delivery

Let's face it, after hearing some great performers on audible, it can be a letdown when an author (i.e., professional writer, amateur performer) chooses to read their own stuff no matter how well-intentioned. Here I think they do the material a bit of a disservice by opting to self-deliver --- it just doesn't have the power and clarity of a professional reader, and that means you're going to miss some good material by not being as fully engaged. That being said, it's well-researched an written - you should read it.

Helpful lessons for content creators

This book is all about creating content related to your brand and leveraging it as a legitimate marketing strategy. It’s very similar to HubSpot’s concept of “inbound marketing,” but it covers a few different topics than a book dedicated purely to that subject would.

This one is successful both on a low and high level. For example, on the low level, the authors lay out specific content calendars and plans for brand managers. And, on the high level, they discuss how the inherent tension in marketing is that companies only want to talk about what their products can do, while customers are only interested in hearing what said products can do FOR THEM.

The combination of these high and low-level wins is what makes this book compelling for brand owners, brand managers, and marketers all over the world.

The authors also spell out their “11 rules for publishing content,” which provide readers with a helpful framework for distributing their content to customers in a way that will entice them the most.

There are definitely a couple of parts that get a bit slow, but, overall, this is a pretty solid read for anyone interested in the subject — CEOs, managers, bloggers, influencers, and the like.

-Brian Sachetta
Author of “Get Out of Your Head”

Great but a bit dated now

There are many parts of this book that stand the test of time. Especially, it comes down to creating good content the captures attention. Well worth the read for those venturing into marketing and content matters; which still drive participation on the Internet. I just love Anne, which is why I bought this book! 🙂

Good

Although a lot of stuff was not new for me, it's because I've already done a lot of research on the subject. Still it helped me refresh what I already knew along with learning new stuff. I would recommend this book. If you are new to the world of blogging and content generation for whatever genre, this book is for you. If you are an experienced writer, I'm sure you'd still get new tips and your existing knowledge refreshed from this book.

Definitely recommend for novices !

Ms Handley and CC have put together one of the better books on social media tips I have seen. I have listened to their book three times now. I have employed –along with our company- many of their “social media stew” recipe tips on facebook and website content suggestions successfully. One of the best compliments I could give them and this book is that I have used facebook successfully the first time in a business sense.
We use a medical protocol that many persons found helpful by reading and exercising the applications direct from facebook that we would not have believed if we had not seen the results-in a week’s time! Their clear cut and direct suggestions are easy to understand and use. Even if you have struggled in the past with your product, service, or just ‘talking’ with your friends on facebook, LinkedIn or any of the other ways they mention in their ‘bible’ for social channels, you cannot help but improve with just 2 or 3 of their helpful hints.
We will soon employ their advice and recommendations on our first “YouTube” video and anticipate nothing but success!

Get this one.

What did you love best about Content Rules?

The book is full of information and isn't written like a textbook. The information is put together well and everything makes sense. They also make a point to ensure the listener feels like a human being throughout, and not a student or a business.

If you were to buy one book to help you learn how to produce quality content, or come up with ideas for content, this should be that book.

How could the performance have been better?

The performance was next to terrible. The male speaker spoke too fast and all too often it was obvious he was reading. He mubles a bit at points and drops letters off of words. He's a fast talked which has its pluses & minus's. The female speaker was painful to listen to, though she got better as the book went on. She doesn't have a voice for this.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

It's more of a scientific book, but overall the whole thing was very informative and helpful.

A wonderful piece of the puzzle

As stated by the authors there is a series of good books that all pieced together. This is a wonderful piece of the puzzle. As for me, I'm always looking for questions to be answered and it was accomplished here. Well, time for me to go I still have to listen to this a few more times and do some reading and writing.

Basic but good for beginners

I liked the content, helped me refresh on some key themes, but wished it was more in-depth

A must read

I suggest all businesses listen to this book. It is a fantastic guide to adapting content for the web.

Couldn't take notes fast enough

The author's style is witty, sharp, and jam packed with smart marketing info. Wish I had known all of this before. Very neat, concise marketing advice that I should have known. I thank you.