web sites that work for you— not the designer

If you could combine the abilities of a number of internet disciplines into just one person what might you call that person?

Insane! has been one suggestion. Content manager is a kinder description of what I do.

It's a little like being an editor, it's a lot like being a writer, it's a great deal about gathering information, revision and judgment.

How can this help you in your business?

A content manager pulls together the 'output' of a number of departments and uses that information to promote your company, products and services. This might only be on the internet but may also include real-world tasks such as news releases, a company news letter and working in the community.

So your company benefits from a single person having an over view and deciding within certain parameters how to use that information and then implementing those decisions.

Having trouble with the concept? Me too. It's changing all the time. Growing in reach and power.

Just two years ago the role and the tools were not so diverse. A content manager would use direct email systems, news releases, forums and web page copy and meta. Now in addition one uses the full range of social media and blogs both as a publisher and also as a contributor. Internet marketing has become simpler in that there are some excellent tools available, and much more complex in that there are so many more methods and 'channels' to get your message across and gain the (in web site terms) the all important links to your web site pages.

Full time in your business a content manager plugs into various departments, not just sales and marketing but also perhaps a workshop, the social club and any other area that might provide content in some form for internet marketing.

Contracted to set-up and guide or working part-time a content manager touches all the bases right across a company. It's a little like being a nosy reporter, without the downside.

• Talk to people
• Gather information across a company
• Monitor the marketplace and rivals
• Watch for online feed back about the company and it's products and services
• Look for SWOT in the sector in which the company operates with relevance to internet promotion.
• Review and suggest new or revised ways of promoting a company's internet marketing
  
  
• Understand how web sites work technically
• Know about usability for sighted and vision impaired visitors
• Be informed on a range of subjects and business models
• Contribute to the major and interest-specific blogs and social media systems
• Understand both natural and PPC marketing techniques
  
  For a more formalised and lengthy description of a Content Management role read this posting.