Post on 21-Apr-2017
ZEN AND THE ART OF
CONTENT MAINTENANCE
Corey Vilhauer Now What? 2014
HI. I’M COREY VILHAUER.
ZEN AND THE ART OF
MOTORCYCLE MAINTENANCE
by Robert M. Pirsig
ROMANTICHopes for the bestAppreciates randomnessRelies on professional help
CLASSICALPays continual attentionUses rational problem solvingUnderstands the basics
Corey Vilhauer Now What? 2014
ZEN AND THE ART OF
CONTENT MAINTENANCE
CONTENT MAINTENANCE
MAINTAIN FOCUSMAINTAIN MESSAGE
MAINTAIN SCHEDULEMAINTAIN STYLE
“We take a handful of sand from the endless landscape of awareness around us and call that handful of sand the world.”
CONTENT MAINTENANCE
MAINTAIN FOCUSMAINTAIN MESSAGE
MAINTAIN SCHEDULEMAINTAIN ROLES
MAINTAIN FOCUS
MAINTAIN FOCUSAudiencesOutcomes
TasksPersonas
“Morning, boys. How’s the water?”
“What the hell is water?”
ACTUAL SITE AUDIENCES
“MY BROTHER KNOWS ABOUT THIS STUFF”
“THE BOSS WANTS THIS”
“THE INTRANET IS HORRIBLE”
“WE NEED A BLOG”
WE ARE NOT THE
AUDIENCE
CLARIFY GOALS
STAKEHOLDERSMARKETINGFRONT LINECUSTOMERSBOSSES
THE TEAM
AUDIENCES
AUDIENCES
Any group of people with some measurable characteristic in common which influences how relevant and significant they are to your specific outcomes.
- David Gammel, Online and On Mission
DEMOGRAPHICSPSYCHOGRAPHICSTECHNOLOGYCURRENT TRAFFICCOMPETITORS
AUDIENCES
CHILDREN
FORMER FANSADULTS
RETAILERSCOLLECTOR FREAKS
AUDIENCES
YOUR TURNTHE UNIVERSITY
OF CHOICEChoice, Indiana
PRIORITIZE
OUTCOMES
OUTCOMES
A measurable change, action or behavior that you wish a visitor to take or experience.
- David Gammel, Online and On Mission
INFORMATIONEDUCATIONENTERTAINMENTADMINISTRATIONCONFIRMATION
OUTCOMES
INFORMATION
ENTERTAINMENTEDUCATION
ADMINISTRATIONCONFIRMATION
OUTCOMES
YOUR TURNTHE UNIVERSITY
OF CHOICEChoice, Indiana
PRIORITIZE
TASKSKeep track of sets
Log in to view
current sets
Search for sets and add to
collection
Change and update collection
Export set list
Check price on
sets
Find manuals
and pieces for sets
Add to wish list
View a list of minifigs
ENGAGE
Find Information on Student
Services
Better Understand
Strategic Plan
STUDENTCONTACT
Access Provost Faculty Contact
Information
Engage with the Office of the Provost
Learn Who the Provost
Is
Find and Learn about
Faculty Policies
FACULTY/STAFF
Find and Learn About
Jobs/Employment
About BlogResearch
NewsDocument
Library FormsOrg Charts Job ListingsDocument
LibraryForms
OUTCOMES
RELATEDTASKS
SPECIALCONTENT
NEEDED
Search for Policies or
Bylaws
Find an Org Chart
Get Contact Information
Read Content About the
Office of the Provost
Read Content From the Provost
Find Content for Faculty/
Tenure Review
Find Information for Retired
Faculty
View Academic Handbook
View University
Committees
Apply for Org Change
View Curriculum Handbook
View Accredit.
Information
Access Internal
Documents
Contact a Provost Faculty Member
View Application Timelines
View Application
Steps
Find Information
on Award Winners
View Planning and
Decision Statistics/
Data
View Ongoing
Metrics/Stat Studies
Request Data or Metrics/
Stats Research
Learn What the Office of the Provost
Does
Find Information on Awards
and Scholarships
Learn More about
Student Support
Programs
Contact the Advising Center
Contact the Writing and
Learning Centers
Find Information
on Job Openings
Find Information
on the University
Find Information
on Richmond
Find Information on Financial
Aid
Find Information
on Admissions
Apply for Financial Aid
Find Information on Campus Programs
Find Information on Campus Facilities
Mission /Vision
News Data PDFs Handbook TimelinesContact Lists Videos Timelines
TestimonialsStrategic
Plan Document
DirectoryStaff Bios Testimonials
View University Strategic
Plan
Apply and Plan for
Professional Advance.
Apply and Plan for
Academic Life
Better Understand
VCU's Community Enagement
News
Read About VCU's
Community Engagement
Become a Part of the
VCU Community
Support VCU Community
Engagement Efforts
Learn About VCU
Community Events
Calendar / Events
Videos
Apply and Plan for
Curriculum
Apply for Changes to
Curriculum / Program
Learn About Curriculum /
Program Basics and
Needs
View Curriculum Handbook
Find Information
on Graduation
View Current Degree
Progress
View VCU's Accreditation
Find Information on Benefits
Learn What the Provost
Does
Document Library
Forms
Handbook
Timelines
Forms
Timelines
TASK MODEL
TASKSKeep track of sets
Log in to view
current sets
Search for sets and add to
collection
Change and update collection
Export set list
Check price on
sets
Find manuals
and pieces for sets
Add to wish list
View a list of minifigs
Log in to view
current sets
Search for sets and add to
collection
Change and update collection
Export set list
Check price on
sets
Find manuals
and pieces for sets
Add to wish list
View a list of minifigs
Log in screen Set search Collection
managerExport data
function
Price listings
Manual directory Wish list Minifig
import
PERSONAS
Fictional characters created to represent the different user types within a targeted demographic, attitude or behavior set.
- WIKIPEDIA, DUH
PROVIDE CONTEXT
CLARIFY GOALSILLUSTRATE PATHS
ADMINISTRATIONCONFIRMATION
PERSONAS
PERSONAS ARE NOT…
PERFECT
PERSONAS ARE NOT…
STATIONARY
PERSONAS ARE NOT…
A REPLACEMENT FOR RESEARCHRESEARCH
RESEARCH
ANALYTICS
COMPETITORSCONVERSATIONS
CONTENT AUDIT
RESEARCH
HOW MUCH IS ENOUGH?
IT DEPENDS
First-Hand Research
Buy-In and DedicationFull-Team Involvement
Relevancy
PERSONAS NEED:
DEMOGRAPHICS/ PSYCHOGRAPHICS
RELATION TO PROJECTEXPECTED OUTCOMES
NEEDS AND ASPIRATIONS
DRIVING FACTORS
Isaac Nelson35 years old
Two kids (4, 6)Teacher
ROLE: Collector/ParentCONNECTION: Played with LEGO as a kid, but his mother gave away his old bricks are gone and his kids are starting to get into the toys.DESCRIPTION: Wants to get his children some LEGO for Christmas, but isn’t sure what they might be ready for. His son loves Batman, and his daughter likes the Friends sets, but he is afraid that’s not enough to promote creative play.
PRIMARY OUTCOMES:• Learn more about sets • Find the right sets • Reminisce about old sets
“LEGO sets aren’t a cheap investment, so I want to make sure I make good choices in the beginning. My old LEGO pieces lasted forever - I’m expecting the same for my kids.”
YOUR TURN
YOUR TURN
One UserOne Team
One Persona
YOUR TURNTHE UNIVERSITY
OF CHOICEChoice, Indiana
NOW TURN AND INTRODUCE YOURSELVES
SHARING TIME
“…If the mood is right, then physical discomfort doesn't mean much..”
CONTENT MAINTENANCE
MAINTAIN FOCUSMAINTAIN MESSAGE
MAINTAIN SCHEDULEMAINTAIN STYLE
MAINTAIN MESSAGE
MAINTAIN MESSAGEMessage Architecture
Core Strategy
MESSAGE ARCHITECTURE
“A hierarchy of communication goals.”- Margot Bloomstein,
Content Strategy at Work
VALUES ARE NOT MESSAGE
MISSION IS NOT MESSAGE
“Great design for everyone.” - MOO Cards
COPY POINTS ARE NOT MESSAGE
“We offer a wide range of solutions for any project”
MESSAGE ARCHITECTUREVoice and toneDirectionJustification
MESSAGE ARCHITECTURE
Who.We. Are.
MESSAGE ARCHITECTURE
Unique Scientific Proud Powerful Straight Formal Animated Upbeat Premium Open Sturdy Knowledgeable Brainy Educated Wise Friendly Kind Strong Encouraging Helpful
Curious Careful Clever Useful Pleasant Satisfying Alive Loving Classy Gentle Steadfast Experienced Established Comprehensive Broad Customer Oriented Rare Receptive Old-Fashioned Professional
Serious Futuristic Consistent Neighborly/Familiar Wholesome/Safe Leading Edge Bleeding Edge Cutting Edge Cool Polite Warm Happy Mature Responsible Creative Strategic Fierce Simple Traditional Tasteful
WHO WE ARE
WHO WE’D LIKE TO BE
WHO WE’RE NOT
Unique Scientific Proud Powerful Straight Formal Animated Upbeat Premium Open Sturdy Knowledgeable Brainy Educated Wise Friendly Kind Strong Encouraging Helpful
Curious Careful Clever Useful Pleasant Satisfying Alive Loving Classy Gentle Steadfast Experienced Established Comprehensive Broad Customer Oriented Rare Receptive Old-Fashioned Professional
Serious Futuristic Consistent Neighborly/Familiar Wholesome/Safe Leading Edge Bleeding Edge Cutting Edge Cool Polite Warm Happy Mature Responsible Creative Strategic Fierce Simple Traditional Tasteful
Creative
Open Sturdy
Happy
Consistent
Creative
Happy
Consistent
SturdyOpen
/
Well-CraftedFans
Legendary
CREATIVE AND OPEN • Offering millions of possibilities within their stable of sets
WELL-CRAFTED • Every piece fits • The price is worth it for the quality and dedication from the team
LEGENDARY • An intense history that carries on from parents to children • Memories of past gifts, legends of future ones
IN LOVE WITH THE PRODUCT • They are fans of LEGO just as much as the customer
CORE STRATEGY
What are we trying to do?
Why does this content exist? What is its purpose?
Who are its most important users?
Why do the users want and need?
What does the content help users do/achieve?
What makes you most excited about this initiative?
What is your organization’s message?
What can you offer that is different?
What will make the initiative successful?
To help people love (and buy) LEGO
Current and future LEGO fans
Access to set information to purchase
Keep abreast of LEGO - current and past
The opportunity to serve as a hub for LEGO stuff
LEGO is fun and exciting
A single source of official LEGO information
If people start using the hub for all things LEGO
CORE STRATEGY
Provide an entertaining hub that helps current and future LEGO fans
organize, explore and create.
CORE STRATEGY
Provide an entertaining hub that helps current and future LEGO fans
organize, explore and create.
Provide
OUR CONTENT: We will create and provide for their hobby using our existing content and sets.
CORE STRATEGY
Provide an entertaining hub that helps current and future LEGO fans
organize, explore and create.
Provide entertaining hub
A CENTRAL LOCATION: Buy, track, research and reminisce about LEGO all in one place.
CORE STRATEGY
Provide an entertaining hub that helps current and future LEGO fans
organize, explore and create.
Provide entertaining hubhelps current and future LEGO fans
AUDIENCES: Keep current fans happy, create new fans for the future.
CORE STRATEGY
Provide an entertaining hub that helps current and future LEGO fans
organize, explore and create.
Provide entertaining hubhelps current and future LEGO fans
organize
ORGANIZE: Keep track of your sets and keep coming back for updates.
CORE STRATEGY
Provide an entertaining hub that helps current and future LEGO fans
organize, explore and create.
Provide entertaining hubhelps current and future LEGO fans
organize explore
EXPLORE: What’s new? You want to know - straight from the source, rumor-free and for sale.
CORE STRATEGY
Provide an entertaining hub that helps current and future LEGO fans
organize, explore and create.
Provide entertaining hubhelps current and future LEGO fans
organize explore create
CREATE: You know the real reason you love LEGO - because you can create new worlds.
“We will
so they can ”[do/provide this]
[for these people] [do this]
YOUR TURN
Why does this content exist? What is its purpose?
Who are its most important users?
Why do the users want and need?
What does the content help users do/achieve?
What makes you most excited about this initiative?
What is your organization’s message?
What can you offer that is different?
What will make the initiative successful?
“We will
so they can ”[do/provide this]
[for these people] [do this]
“You look at where you're going and where you are and it never makes sense, but then you look back at where you've been and a pattern seems to emerge.”
CONTENT MAINTENANCE
MAINTAIN FOCUSMAINTAIN MESSAGE
MAINTAIN SCHEDULEMAINTAIN STYLE
MAINTAIN SCHEDULE
MAINTAIN SCHEDULEContent Audit
Editorial CalendarEditorial Triggers
CONTENT AUDITOpen A Spreadsheet
SPREADSHEETS?
IDURL
(http:www.lego.com)
NAME CONTENT LINKS NOTES ASSIGNED
-1.0 /products ProductsImages of LEGO brand lines organized in a grid.
Links to each individual LEGO line.
Grid is in order of relevancy and current popularity - not alphabetical. No search.
George
- - 1.1/chima?icmp=COUSFRChima
Chima Legends Hero carousel, video rotator
Links to webisodes, products, and character pages.
Carousel is based on icons, though icons are all so similar. Products are set below videos.
Cathy
CONTENT AUDITPage titleFile formatAuthorMeta descriptionPage linksAudience relevanceFile sizeEditorial publish date
URLContent descriptionLast updatedCategories/tagsImagesReading levelSeasonScheduled for archive
EDUNDANTRUTDATEDO
RIVIALT
EDITORIAL CALENDAROpen A Spreadsheet
SPREADSHEETS?
WHY?ALIGN WITH GOALS
FULFILL USER NEEDSALLOCATE RESOURCES
CROSS-CHANNEL STUFFKEEP A SCHEDULE
EDITORIAL TRIGGERS
NEW PRODUCT CONTENT
Max Time: 5 Days Immediate Action
Gather information on new product based on New Product copy deck.Upload initial content to website using placeholder imagesAPPROVAL NEEDED: Initial approval of content requiredCreate product images for all sizes (150px, 350px, banner)FINAL APPROVAL
web editor
web editorproduct managerweb editor
lead editor
2 days
1 day
1 day
1 day
ALL TOGETHER NOWContent Audit
Editorial Calendar
Editorial Triggers
JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC
“The pencil is mightier than the pen.”
CONTENT MAINTENANCE
MAINTAIN FOCUSMAINTAIN MESSAGE
MAINTAIN SCHEDULEMAINTAIN STYLE
MAINTAIN STYLE
MAINTAIN STYLEStyle Guide
CONSISTENCY
COMMUNICATION
REFERENCE
WORDS
TRADEMARKSFORMATTING
VOICE AND TONELEGAL
STYLE GUIDES
WORDS
WORDS
WORDSGrammar
Handling NumbersPunctuation
Capitalization
FORMATTING
TRADEMARKS
VOICE AND TONE
VOICE AND TONEOur company is…Personal but not cloyingLively but not crazyHelpful but not overbearingSmart but not arrogantConversational but not flippant
LEGAL
SO HOW DO WE START?
START SMALL
DETERMINE A STARTING POINT
CREATE AN OWNER
MAKE IT VISIBLE
MAKE IT COLLABORATIVE
CONTENT MAINTENANCE
MAINTAIN FOCUSMAINTAIN MESSAGE
MAINTAIN SCHEDULEMAINTAIN STYLE
“The place to improve the world is first in one's own heart and head and hands, and then work outward from there.”
QUESTIONS
THANK YOU
www.eatingelephant.com/workshop2014
@mrvilhauer
for notes and resources: