Construction Chat is a weekly chat on Thursday mornings at 9:00 a.m. Pacific Time. If you’re free, we’d love you to join us.
Content Curation
Today’s chat topic and questions are from Loni Morrey aka @MaterialHndling, a regular chat participant.
Today's chat is co-hosted by @MaterialHndling. She wrote the questions, I tweet them. #constchat
— Riggins Construction (@RigginsConst) August 6, 2015
Bonus Tweets
@CleanAC We need to get OUT of our industry to build awesome brands. Ppl don't just like one thing. Brands shouldn't, either #constchat
— Stormin Norman (@StorminNormanPC) August 6, 2015
@RigginsConst or doing a post of top blog posts for the year with snippets and links from each one #ConstChat
— Construction Data (@cdcnews) August 6, 2015
Q1. How is content curation important to your marketing strategy?
A1 it's a very large portion of it, especially with social media. I spend hours each day looking for the best content #constchat
— BlueSteele Solutions (@BlueSteeleTX) August 6, 2015
A1. Content curation has always been important to our strategy. #ConstChat
— Window Works CA (@WindowWorksCA) August 6, 2015
A1: Content curation is important, but it can be overwheling at times. #constchat
— Tess Wittler (@TessWittler) August 6, 2015
A1) It's very important because without great content it can get lost or misinterpreted in the mass of social media data #constchat
— Fabuwood Cabinetry (@Fabuwood) August 6, 2015
A1. Pretty darn important. Good content=good engagement. #ConstChat
— JorgMaterialHandling (@MaterialHndling) August 6, 2015
Q2. What type of content works best for your industry?
A2. How to videos & blogs work best for our tools and industry. #constchat
— Zircon Corporation (@ZirconTools) August 6, 2015
A2 For us, it's super meta—content about making and curating content #constchat
— BlueSteele Solutions (@BlueSteeleTX) August 6, 2015
A2. Solutions to door hardware issues, door hardware, construction, upcoming projects, etc. #constchat
— HagerCo (@HagerCo) August 6, 2015
A2 lots of stuff on marketing, but we try to mix in local goings-on in as well #constchat
— BlueSteele Solutions (@BlueSteeleTX) August 6, 2015
A@ (part 2) basically something for everyone in our mix of architects, steel fabricators, contractors, homeowners, retailers #constchat
— Feeney, Inc. (@FeeneyInc) August 6, 2015
A2. We share friends' content, other window film articles, protecting against sun, etc. #ConstChat
— Window Works CA (@WindowWorksCA) August 6, 2015
A2 All things commercial construction: safety, tech, cool new buildings #ConstChat
— Construction Data (@cdcnews) August 6, 2015
A2. Anything tagged w/ #materialhandling usually gets some momentum for us. I share blog posts, memes & tidbits from our site. #constchat
— JorgMaterialHandling (@MaterialHndling) August 6, 2015
A2. Infographics, educational articles, humor and photos are the MOST share-able in the #HVAC industry. #constchat @RigginsConst
— Controlled Release (@CleanAC) August 6, 2015
Being that we are such a visual brand, we need to make sure that we have great images of kitchens, baths, or really any project. #constchat
— Fabuwood Cabinetry (@Fabuwood) August 6, 2015
A2 how tos and do's and don'ts lists are good too #ConstChat
— Construction Data (@cdcnews) August 6, 2015
Additionally, video and info graphics (which I see as being integrated very soon) do well for to continue to tell our story #constchat
— Fabuwood Cabinetry (@Fabuwood) August 6, 2015
A2: Success stories from our members, project highlights, whitepapers, and infographics tend to get a lot of engagement. #constchat
— GuildQuality (@GuildQuality) August 6, 2015
Q3. How do you come up with good ideas for content?
A3: I look at what people are asking me #constchat
— Tess Wittler (@TessWittler) August 6, 2015
A3. By listening to what conversations are happening in our customer service, tech support and sales departments. #constchat
— HagerCo (@HagerCo) August 6, 2015
A3. Products 1st and what applications are useful and then, we think about pop culture, industry, & themes to tie the tools into. #constchat
— Zircon Corporation (@ZirconTools) August 6, 2015
A3. Brainstorm in the shower! Listen to what clients ask. #ConstChat
— Window Works CA (@WindowWorksCA) August 6, 2015
Honestly I draw inspiration when I least expect it. I can be in the showroom or talking to someone and an idea hits me! #constchat
— Fabuwood Cabinetry (@Fabuwood) August 6, 2015
A3 Keywords drive a lot of it for us, but also whatever comes into my brain skull as I troll Twitter and idea bulbs form #constchat
— BlueSteele Solutions (@BlueSteeleTX) August 6, 2015
A3: Look at Google analytics and see which posts have performed well. #constchat
— GuildQuality (@GuildQuality) August 6, 2015
A3. Someone suggested on a Twitter chat (may have been this one) using FAQs as a starting point. Lots of great content in those! #constchat
— JorgMaterialHandling (@MaterialHndling) August 6, 2015
A3 Keeping up to date on industry news, listening to what interests our clients #ConstChat
— Construction Data (@cdcnews) August 6, 2015
A3. We also use keyword analytics to an extent. It's helpful to create content based on what your customers are looking for. #constchat
— JorgMaterialHandling (@MaterialHndling) August 6, 2015
A3. Some industries are much easier to find content for than others. #ConstChat
— Window Works CA (@WindowWorksCA) August 6, 2015
Just like anybody else, I come up with good ideas when I'm in the bathroom.. or when I'm enjoying a cup of coffee. https://t.co/2WbGKFGHti
— Queene Garcia (@QueeneGarcia) August 6, 2015
Q4. How does your content strategy differ by platform (Twitter vs. Facebook vs. blogging)?
A4. I try to be more visual on Facebook than Twitter. Blog posts are so few and far between, they go both places eventually. #constchat
— Riggins Construction (@RigginsConst) August 6, 2015
A4 Each network is completely different from the next, so the strategy has to be tweaked. Shorter for Twitter, etc. #constchat
— Stormin Norman (@StorminNormanPC) August 6, 2015
A4 And, of course, NO cross-posting! #constchat
— Stormin Norman (@StorminNormanPC) August 6, 2015
@RigginsConst A4. more interaction on Twitter – RT & MT – than Facebook. G+ gets whatever Facebook gets. LI only for company news #constchat
— Feeney, Inc. (@FeeneyInc) August 6, 2015
A4. Differs in timing & flexibility. E-books, Blogs – longer timeframe in planning & execution vs. posts & tweets. #constchat
— Zircon Corporation (@ZirconTools) August 6, 2015
A4 I like to see what folks are doing on each platform and try to tailor content to that #constchat
— BlueSteele Solutions (@BlueSteeleTX) August 6, 2015
A4. Twitter tends to be a little sillier, FB less silly, LI more serious. #ConstChat
— Window Works CA (@WindowWorksCA) August 6, 2015
A4 Blog for original content, Twitter for interaction, LinkedIn is more business, FB more for fun and videos #ConstChat
— Construction Data (@cdcnews) August 6, 2015
A4: #constchat Twitter: tweet/interact OFTEN. Facebook: top content=key: less can be more. Blogging: 2-3 posts/week. All: photos=important!!
— Controlled Release (@CleanAC) August 6, 2015
A4. I get more engagement with Twitter, so I share a lot more on there. I use more pics/memes on Facebook. #constchat
— JorgMaterialHandling (@MaterialHndling) August 6, 2015
A4. I share blog posts on EVERYTHING eventually, but not all at the same time. #constchat
— JorgMaterialHandling (@MaterialHndling) August 6, 2015
A4: We share more original content on our blog and share/repost content from others on Facebook and Twitter. #constchat
— GuildQuality (@GuildQuality) August 6, 2015
Q5. Do you use any specific tools/apps to gather content?
A5. I use my own Twitter lists. Also, I subscribe to blogs. Also, I love @99u, @BrainPicker, and @Medium. #constchat
— Riggins Construction (@RigginsConst) August 6, 2015
A5. Word or Google docs to gather ideas. #ConstChat
— Window Works CA (@WindowWorksCA) August 6, 2015
A5: Still looking for the best solution for curating others ideas to share. #constchat
— Tess Wittler (@TessWittler) August 6, 2015
A5 This may be old school, but I get a TON of content from FB, using the Pages to read the feeds, then use that content elsewhere #constchat
— Stormin Norman (@StorminNormanPC) August 6, 2015
A5 Hootsuite, but Twitter feels like a tool unto itself. Lists are great for finding content #constchat
— BlueSteele Solutions (@BlueSteeleTX) August 6, 2015
A5 Paper.li, Storify, scoop.it #constchat
— Peter Woolvett (@CustomerSpecs) August 6, 2015
A5 Finding content takes up the majority of my time. #constchat
— Stormin Norman (@StorminNormanPC) August 6, 2015
A5. Best tools/apps to gather content: my own Twitter lists, Google alerts for keywords in our industry, #HVAC blogs, etc. #constchat
— Controlled Release (@CleanAC) August 6, 2015
A5 Google News, PR Newswire, Flipboard. Flipboard is my favorite. #ConstChat
— Construction Data (@cdcnews) August 6, 2015
A5. I don't use any apps, but I know there are some good ones out there. Mainly I just use Google and Twitter searches. #constchat
— JorgMaterialHandling (@MaterialHndling) August 6, 2015
A5 I "like" a ton of industry-relevant accounts for my clients, since I have to do the "social," I want a feed rich in content #constchat
— Stormin Norman (@StorminNormanPC) August 6, 2015
A5: We subscribe to daily Google alerts for anything referencing homebuilders, remodelers, and our company name. #constchat
— GuildQuality (@GuildQuality) August 6, 2015
Q6. What’s your best advice for keeping your content fresh? Relevant? Do you use trending topics?
A6. Yes on the trending topics. Makes it fun. Add context, tho'. #ConstChat
— Window Works CA (@WindowWorksCA) August 6, 2015
A6 Stay on top of what people are talking about while remembering what I've BEEN talking about so no repeats #constchat
— BlueSteele Solutions (@BlueSteeleTX) August 6, 2015
To keep content fresh I usually check to see what's trending for the day and then see if it is applicable for our brand. #constchat
— Fabuwood Cabinetry (@Fabuwood) August 6, 2015
A6. I think it's important to stay up-to-date with industry news. Also, see what others in your industry are talking about. #constchat
— JorgMaterialHandling (@MaterialHndling) August 6, 2015
A6: I subscribe to a lot of online industry magazines and review for content ideas for my clients (and me) #constchat
— Tess Wittler (@TessWittler) August 6, 2015
A6. I use trending topics sparingly, but every now & then it's fun to include one if you can make it fit w/ your brand/industry. #constchat
— JorgMaterialHandling (@MaterialHndling) August 6, 2015
If you create something that doesn't go viral like you hoped, test, test, and keep testing! #constchat
— Fabuwood Cabinetry (@Fabuwood) August 6, 2015
A6 #socialmedia is an art form. It takes years to perfect it and learn the ins & outs. #constchat
— Stormin Norman (@StorminNormanPC) August 6, 2015
A6. Trending topics are hard if your industry is super specific-shoot for things everyone likes. Food, holidays, national days.. #constchat
— Controlled Release (@CleanAC) August 6, 2015
Q7. Do you ever recycle content? If so, how?
A7: I've been going through my old-posts and re-writing or earmarking for slideshare or video. #constchat
— Tess Wittler (@TessWittler) August 6, 2015
A7 I don't recycle very much, unless it's a blog from a client. Those I can reuse for years. #constchat
— Stormin Norman (@StorminNormanPC) August 6, 2015
A7 using bits of old blog posts in new ones #constchat
— BlueSteele Solutions (@BlueSteeleTX) August 6, 2015
A7 we turn certain blog posts into white papers, did something on heat illness recently and had requests for printable version #ConstChat
— Construction Data (@cdcnews) August 6, 2015
A7 Those really great people who can make inforgraphics, I bow to. #constchat
— Stormin Norman (@StorminNormanPC) August 6, 2015
A7. Yes. Reposting evergreen content. If you don't recycle, you'll go insane. #ConstChat
— Window Works CA (@WindowWorksCA) August 6, 2015
A7 @cdcnews we turn certain case studies into blog posts which get shared via social, photos on social #constchat
— Feeney, Inc. (@FeeneyInc) August 6, 2015
A7. Do we recycle content? Yes! Great for #tbt posts, or when you're talking about a specific topic you've already covered. #constchat
— Controlled Release (@CleanAC) August 6, 2015
A7. All the time. Wait a few months and put an "ICYMI" or "FROM THE ARCHIVES" in front. Or reword/slightly rewrite at later time. #constchat
— JorgMaterialHandling (@MaterialHndling) August 6, 2015
A7 Transforming my chat convos and answers on LI, Quora, Clarity, Reddit, etc into blog posts. Now with audio, if you don't read #constchat
— Peter Woolvett (@CustomerSpecs) August 6, 2015
Q8. What is your content curation strategy? Any last tips or tricks?
A8 When using content, don't forget attribution. Mention them in the tweet, etc, when you use an article from a website. #constchat
— Stormin Norman (@StorminNormanPC) August 6, 2015
A8 They may not be "social" enough to notice, but it looks more professional. #constchat
— Stormin Norman (@StorminNormanPC) August 6, 2015
A8 Lots of sharing. Share other people's content and engage—they'll point you to great content in the future #constchat
— BlueSteele Solutions (@BlueSteeleTX) August 6, 2015
Look to be inspired by unexpected things. Maybe a phone call you might have might lead to some great content later on #constchat
— Fabuwood Cabinetry (@Fabuwood) August 6, 2015
A8. Sharing is how things work in this world. Now you like me and are more likely to share my blog. #SoundsBad #constchat
— Riggins Construction (@RigginsConst) August 6, 2015
A8. Don't just share your own stuff, make sure and take the time to share others' content, too. Then they'll reciprocate. #constchat
— JorgMaterialHandling (@MaterialHndling) August 6, 2015
A8. I think it's nice to have a running list of content ideas in case of a "slow day." Good to have backlog of ideas. #constchat
— JorgMaterialHandling (@MaterialHndling) August 6, 2015