Musings from a New Age AdMan

Content Marketing From Start to Finish (a B2B Marketer's Journey)

Thu, 13 Jun 2013 12:45:43 -0400

See on Scoop.it - Content Strategy: Inbound Marketing & SEO

Here’s what a typical content marketing journey is like for B2B marketers (gleaned from experience doing content marketing for ourselves and our clients)

See on business2community.com

Google's 200 Ranking Factors [INFOGRAPHIC]

Sun, 09 Jun 2013 11:51:19 -0400

See on Scoop.it - Content Strategy: Inbound Marketing & SEO

Ranking on Google is tough. Their algorithm takes into account over 200 ranking factors. Staying on top of them all can be a nightmare.

Omar Kattan - New Age AdMan’s insight:

This infographic from SingleGrain and Backlink is an excellent resource to help you stay on track of the various factors influencing your ranking on Google.

See on sandstormdigital.com

The Incredible Power of a Strong Narrative in Your Content - Brand Stories - New Age Brand Building

Mon, 27 May 2013 07:15:32 -0400

See on Scoop.it - Brand Stories

When you think about the greatest reading experiences you have, what do you remember? Maybe you remember the fully fleshed-out characters.

You may also remember the fantastic, unforgettable setting of the story, and the places and sights from the book that felt so real it was as if you were there yourself.

Maybe the ending was a real gut punch, a shocker, a bolt from the blue that you never saw coming. Chances are the journey of the protagonist was so beautiful and inspiring that you couldn’t stop beaming about it for weeks.

But most of all, you probably remember how it made you feel.

Omar Kattan - New Age AdMan’s insight:

There are various ways you can use the power of narrative to make your content really stand out and leave a mark in the hearts and minds of your readers. If you manage to emotionally engage your readers in addition to informing them, they are guaranteed to come back for more. The power of a good story is tremendous. Make sure you use it in all your written communication to skyrocket the success of your brand.

Do you employ strong narrative in your brand story? How do you use it in your content marketing strategy? Share below…

See on brandstories.net

If Kodak Re-Launched the Carousel Today... - Brand Stories - New Age Brand Building

Tue, 21 May 2013 07:56:25 -0400

See on Scoop.it - Brand Stories

If Kodak had to launch the product again in 2013, which version of the ad do you think it would go with? My bet would be Don Draper’s.

Here’s why…

Brands that communicate by telling stories that resonate with their audience -create nostalgia or establish a sentimental bond with the product as Don puts it- win. Don’s version does that better.Consumers today relate to and are more loyal to brands that communicate why they do what they do rather than just what they do and how they do it. Don’s version is better at communicating the “why”.Brand communication that taps our emotional trigger and pulls at our heart strings gets shared more than communication that simply regurgitates dull facts and figures. Don’s version of the ad is better at doing that.Odds are that Don’s version of the ad has a higher likelihood of getting parodied/”memed” and going viral than the original 60′s version.

Watch this Facebook Timeline launch version…

Omar Kattan - New Age AdMan’s insight:

Which version of the ad would you go with today? Don Draper’s or the original? Share your thoughts…

See on brandstories.net

6 Proven Styles of Headlines that Really Work | Omar Kattan - New Age AdMan & Brand Storyteller

Thu, 02 May 2013 16:27:16 -0400

See on Scoop.it - Content Strategy: Inbound Marketing & SEO

The headline is the first, and potentially the only, chance you have to make an impression on a reader. You may have just written the world’s best article, but it will all be for nothing if your headline isn’t up to scratch.

Omar Kattan - New Age AdMan’s insight:

Creating winning headlines takes practice, patience and a lot of testing. What may work for one piece of content, may be a complete failure when used elsewhere. Take your time crafting compelling headlines and don’t settle for anything that isn’t your best.

See on omarkattan.com

7 Podcast Tools For Your Audio Content Plan | Omar Kattan - New Age AdMan & Brand Storyteller

Sat, 30 Mar 2013 17:59:08 -0400

See on Scoop.it - Content Strategy: Inbound Marketing & SEO

Are you tired of trying to come up with fresh written content for your company website each week?

Why not throw caution to the wind and try your hand at podcasting instead? There are a number of versatile podcasting tools you can utilize to make the most of your foray into the world of spoken content.

Check out these recent startup additions to the podcasting scene:

Omar Kattan - New Age AdMan’s insight:

Do you podcast? What tools do you use? Share below…

See on omarkattan.com

5 Animation Tools To Help Bring Your Brand Story To Life - Brand Stories - New Age Brand Building

Sat, 30 Mar 2013 17:56:15 -0400

See on Scoop.it - Brand Stories

Unless you’ve been living under a rock, chances are good you’re well aware of the increasing popularity of content marketing and brand storytelling.

While many social media experts and content marketers are focusing on written content like blog posts, savvy marketers and brand storytellers are turning to visual content creation in increasing numbers.

With options like infographics, memes, and videos available, making an impression and telling your story via visual content could become increasingly difficult.

One way to make a strong impression and better tell your brand story is to include video animation in your content marketing mix . Animated content is highly engaging, offers opportunities for strong brand messaging, and is highly shareable via social media channels.

Here are five startups making waves in the animation niche, try them to see if they can add pizzazz to your brand story.

Omar Kattan - New Age AdMan’s insight:

Five animation tools content marketers can use to bring their brand stories to life and make the most out of their visual web efforts. Which tools do you use to tell you brand story, create online buzz and increase customer engagement?

See on brandstories.net

Jack Daniel's Solidifies Rock & Roll Association with “Legend.” - Brand Stories - New Age Brand Building

Fri, 15 Mar 2013 06:27:12 -0400

See on Scoop.it - Brand Stories

Jack Daniel’s celebrated its place in rock and roll history with the launch of a global campaign called “Legend.” Using historic footage, actual concert flyers, ticket stubs, bathroom graffiti and the work of legendary rock photographer, Danny Clinch, the campaign pays homage to the whiskey that was there. Frank Sinatra, Bad Brains, Joey Ramone, Freddie King and Mudhoney, among others, all paint a vivid picture of music history.

Omar Kattan - New Age AdMan’s insight:

JD has always been a part of the story.

Traveling from the gritty stage of CBGB’s in New York City to the hair band dominated streets of the Sunset Strip, “Legend” is a celebration of music iconography and authenticity. Quite literally “with the band since 1866”, Jack Daniel’s has been onstage, backstage, in the studios, on the tour bus and in the hands of legends since the birth of rock and roll.

See on brandstories.net

Brand Storytelling: 10 Steps to Start Your Content Marketing Hero's Journey

Fri, 01 Mar 2013 10:48:52 -0500

See on Scoop.it - Brand Stories

There are no hard-and-fast rules for brand storytelling, but classic storytelling and structure can help guide you. Follow these 10 steps to start your content marketing hero’s journey.

Omar Kattan - New Age AdMan’s insight:

This story structure — which is inherently linear — can also help you structure your content into a story map. The story map helps to organize your pieces of content across a timeline.

See on contentmarketinginstitute.com

Google’s Schmidt: Verified Profiles Key To Ranking | Omar Kattan - New Age AdMan & Brand Storyteller

Mon, 25 Feb 2013 15:15:48 -0500

See on Scoop.it - Content Strategy: Inbound Marketing & SEO

It’s official, your Google Plus profile will affect your ranking.

According to Eric Schmidt…

“Within search results, information tied to verified online profiles will be ranked higher than content without such verification, which will result in most users naturally clicking on the top (verified) results. The true cost of remaining anonymous, then, might be irrelevance.”

Omar Kattan - New Age AdMan’s insight:

Google Plus is here to stay and Google will keep on pushing it to ensure it adds value to its results. Follow the above tips to ensure you’re not at a disadvantage.

See on omarkattan.com

The Role Of Customer Service In Your Brand Story - Brand Stories - New Age Brand Building

Mon, 25 Feb 2013 14:09:17 -0500

See on Scoop.it - Brand Stories

Yesterday, while enjoying an espresso at my local coffee shop, I overheard a conversation between a very frustrated businessman and his bank’s customer service advisor (CSA). By the end of the call, the businessman had more or less decided to take his business elsewhere.

It made me think about a saying from one of my favorite authors, Maya Angelou who once said:

Words mean more than what is set down on paper. It takes the human voice to infuse them with deeper meaning.

Service oriented brands have much to learn from this sentence. Make sure your brand message is consistent with the manner in which it’s being dispersed by your customer facing representatives; both online and offline.

Omar Kattan - New Age AdMan’s insight:

You can craft the perfect brand message and say it in the most compelling way, but if it’s tarnished by the faces and voices of your business you will have failed.

Make sure that your customer service representatives play the role of the protagonist, not the villain in your brand’s story.

See on brandstories.net

Jim Signorelli Founder/CEO eswStoryLab - Brand Story - Industry Interview -

Thu, 21 Feb 2013 09:47:03 -0500

See on Scoop.it - Brand Stories

Who is Jim Signorelli? and how is he shaping the way brands tell their stories? The latest brand story interview for Ouroboros Entertainment

Omar Kattan - New Age AdMan’s insight:

@JimSignorelli Founder/CEO eswStoryLab on Brand Storytelling

See on ouroborosentertainment.com

Omar Kattan, CSO Sandstorm Digital - Brand Story - Industry Interview

Wed, 13 Feb 2013 09:45:52 -0500

See on Scoop.it - Brand Stories

Ouroboros Entertainment Interviews Omar kattan about brand story

Omar Kattan - New Age AdMan’s insight:

My interview with @OuroborosEnt on why storytelling is crucial for new age branding

See on ouroborosentertainment.com

Your Transmedia Brand Story Arc Begins With The 'Why' - Brand Stories - New Age Brand Building

Mon, 04 Feb 2013 17:39:04 -0500

See on Scoop.it - Brand Stories

Why do you do what you do?

Answered correctly, this simple question can form the backbone of your brand story and help inform the manner in which you communicate with your customers, fans and followers; your transmedia story arc if you will.

Omar Kattan - New Age AdMan’s insight:

“People don’t buy what you do; people buy why you do it”. It’s the feeling they get out of your product or service and what it can do for them that defines your brand. In a nutshell, When a brand’s personality complements our own, we form a friendship and give it our trust and loyalty.

See on brandstories.net

How to do a Mobile SEO Audit: Identifying and Maximizing your Website Mobile Potential

Mon, 28 Jan 2013 20:22:00 -0500

See on Scoop.it - The Third Screen

Thanks to a highly anticipated explosion in 2012 and an expected growing trend, mobile is meant to be one of the top priorities for online businesses this year.

Omar Kattan - New Age AdMan’s insight:

Excellent mobile seo audit

See on stateofsearch.com

SEO Is Dead, Long Live SEO - Sandstorm Digital

Tue, 22 Jan 2013 16:38:14 -0500

See on Scoop.it - Content Strategy: Inbound Marketing & SEO

If you’ve been reading the recent stories lamenting that Google has brought about the death of SEO with its latest algorithm modifications, you may be among

Omar Kattan - New Age AdMan’s insight:

Google-friendly SEO is as easy as that. Build a website which revolves around customer satisfaction and high-quality service and everything SEO will fall naturally into place.

Google will love your site now and continue to love your site for years to come, no matter what search algorithm it has up its sleeve.

See on sandstormdigital.com

Brands Battle For Storytelling Stake - Brand Stories

Tue, 22 Jan 2013 16:35:30 -0500

See on Scoop.it - Brand Stories

VIstaPrint and MOO.com Go head-to-head in a storytelling market share stake.

Omar Kattan - New Age AdMan’s insight:

Some brands get it, others just don’t.

See on brandstories.net

Art Of Persuasion - Lessons from A Master Brand Storyteller - Brand Stories - New Age Brand Building

Mon, 21 Jan 2013 13:31:45 -0500

See on Scoop.it - Brand Stories

One adman’s view I particularly subscribe to is that of Bill Bernbach.

“Advertising is fundamentally persuasion and persuasion happens to be not a science, but an art.”

Bernbach had deep insight into human nature. He believed that in order for brand communicators to become human persuaders they needed to get at the heart of what motivates people.

Bernbach believed that successful communicators are not only concerned with what they put into a piece of writing but what the reader gets out of it; they’re “students of how people read and listen”.

Good communicators understand that readers read with their ego, their emotions, their compulsions, their prejudices, their urges, their aspirations and that they plot with their brain to rationalize the facts until they become the tools of their desires.

Good communicators must therefore be good storytellers.

Omar Kattan - New Age AdMan’s insight:

Human beings are creative by nature, instincts such as storytelling are embedded at the heart of our psyche and we’re all hard wired to react to them.

New age brand communicators must master the art of storytelling and learn to balance emotion and intellect in order to succeed.

See on brandstories.net

Art Of Persuasion - Lessons from A Master Brand Storyteller - Brand Stories - New Age Brand Building

Mon, 21 Jan 2013 13:30:01 -0500

See on Scoop.it - Content Strategy: Inbound Marketing & SEO

One adman’s view I particularly subscribe to is that of Bill Bernbach.

“Advertising is fundamentally persuasion and persuasion happens to be not a science, but an art.”

Bernbach had deep insight into human nature. He believed that in order for brand communicators to become human persuaders they needed to get at the heart of what motivates people.

Good communicators must therefore be good storytellers.

Omar Kattan - New Age AdMan’s insight:

Human beings are creative by nature, instincts such as storytelling are embedded at the heart of our psyche and we’re all hard wired to react to them.

New age brand communicators must master the art of storytelling and learn to balance emotion and intellect in order to succeed.

See on brandstories.net

Repurposing Content: Digging Up Digital Gold - Sandstorm Digital

Tue, 15 Jan 2013 16:09:37 -0500

See on Scoop.it - Content Strategy: Inbound Marketing & SEO

Content sitting forgotten in back catalogs is like a physical asset that a business has stored away to collect dust when it could be producing revenue. It’s a complete waste.

Performing a content audit is often the first step, as it allows webmasters and managers to obtain a thorough understanding of their inventory of back cataloged content and how that content might be reused and repurposed to meet new ends.

Once the back catalog has been combed through, the ways content can be repurposed are many and varied.

Transforming content to a different type of media, and combining content on similar topics into larger works are just two of the many ways that material can be given new life.

Omar Kattan - New Age AdMan’s insight:

Not only does old content have significant value – even before it’s repurposed – but making use of it is often so simple, so easy, and so low cost, that it just doesn’t make sense not to dig in and find new ways to give it life.

See on sandstormdigital.com