In this week’s Content Questionnaire, we asked Joe Pulizzi of The Content Marketing Institute to share some marketing wisdom.
Q: What’s your idea of a perfect piece of web content?
Something incredibly useful to the reader, but at the same time is driving sales, savings or creating happier customers for the content creator.
Q: What is your current content focus?
Getting more companies to actually create strategies for their content instead of just slinging it everywhere they can.
Q: What is your biggest marketing fear?
Brands will get discouraged with content marketing because of lack of results (see #2).
Building audience is where it all happens with content marketing!
Q: What do you dislike most about your website’s appearance?
To be honest, I’d like to remove all our advertising from the site.
Q: What buzzwords are you guilty of using most?
Uh, content marketing. I’m probably the most to blame in the world on this one.
Q: What brands do you have a marketing crush on?
Red Bull, Chipotle, LEGO.
Q: Which results make you happiest?
New subscribers. Building audience is where it all happens with content marketing.
Q: What marketing skill would you most like to have?
Analytics and seeing data patterns in metrics to create better content.
Q: What do you consider your greatest content marketing achievement (to date)?
I pinch myself every day that we were able to build a thriving business out of our little (now growing) industry. I love that we are helping people make a difference.
Q: If you were a type of web content, what do you think it would be?
A podcast…that’s my flavor of the month. I’m amazed how many people listen to podcasts today.
Q: If you could do it all over again, what vertical would you work in and why?
I always wanted to be in sports marketing, until I found out what they got paid. The money goes to all the players 😉
Q: What personal trait are you always trying to improve?
My hairline. Actually, I’m trying to do a better job of remembering people’s names.
Q: Do you think your office environment reflects your brand?
We are a virtual company, but yes. Relaxed, efficient…but always fun.
Q: What is your brand’s most valuable asset?
Staff. Staff. Staff. We have an amazing team.
Q: What is your favorite part of the workday?
I’m living my dream and I don’t really think of this as work. But my worst part is doing interviews like this (just kidding).
Q: What is the quality you like best in other brands?
The ability to make fun of themselves.
Q: What’s the quality you like least in other brands?
Too much pitching. Enough already.
Too much pitching. Enough already … Tell a different story.
Q: How can other brands/marketers get on your good side?
Send me something orange in the mail.
Q: Who are your favorite writers/brand leaders (online or off)?
Isaac Asimov, PJ Tracy, Seth Godin.
Q: What is your marketing pet peeve?
Creating content that doesn’t add to the conversation at all. Tell a different story.
Q: What’s one social media trend that you wish would die out?
Google +. Actually, I think I know the value, but I consistently struggle with that channel.
Q: What’s your current inspiration?
My two boys.
Q: What is your marketing motto?
Someone is always watching. Act like it.
Learn more about Joe by visiting the CMI, and check out Content Questionnaires from other marketing pros.
