Clout: The Art and Science of Influential Web Content (Voices That Matter) Review
Posted by
Pearlene McKinley
on 7/15/2012
/
Labels:
content,
content strategy,
design,
influence,
marketing online,
online marketing,
persuasion,
usability,
user experience,
web
Average Reviews:
(More customer reviews)First, I'd like to say that I normally don't write book reviews. Being a student of the web, I read *a lot* of material and I typically don't have time to write a reaction. But every once and a while, something strikes me as noteworthy. Clout is just such a book.
Having run an industry publication on User Experience Design for quite some time, I'm of course familiar with the discipline of Content Strategy. Unfortunately, though, running it means that most of what I read online or hear at conferences sounds the same. "Yes, I know I have to prioritize things and think strategically about content, thanks." What I like about Clout is how novel it really is. In short, Clout:
(1) Got my attention: its a new angle on what could easily be seen as a tired subject.
(2) Is very "practice" driven: I don't like reading about theory, I want to see how content strategy functions in the real world.
(3) Is for beginners and experts: Clout starts small--a bit of history--and ends with a bang, a call to action for all web professionals.
The author, Colleen, did a great job gathering insightful case studies and overseeing the creation of illustrative diagrams. Reading about content strategy is one thing, but *seeing* it is quite another, and Clout delivers. I find it quite remarkable that such an unassuming volume delivers such a high quantity of information. Here you'll also find some of the major takeaways from books such as Groundswell and Here Comes Everybody.
So, save yourself some reading and grab a copy of Clout. For the budding content strategist, blogger, entrepreneur, etc., I highly recommend it.
Click Here to see more reviews about: Clout: The Art and Science of Influential Web Content (Voices That Matter)
Results. Everyone wants them, whether to sell more products, spread good ideas, or win more funding. In our busy digital world, the way to results is influencing people on the web. But how? An ad campaign won't cut it. A Twitter account doesn't guarantee it. Manipulative tricks will backfire. Instead, you need quality, compelling web content that attracts people and engages them for the long haul. Clout explains the key principles of influence and how to apply them to web content. Along the way, those principles come to life with practical examples from HowStuffWorks.com, Newell Rubbermaid, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and many more brands. With this book, you'll:
Discover why a technology feature, marketing campaign, SEO effort, or redesign aren't enough to influence online.
Understand the business value of compelling web content.
Learn 8 principles for influence from the art of rhetoric and the science of psychology.
Find out what context is and why it's so important to influence.
Jump start your planning for content with a content brief.
Learn how to evaluate your web content and determine whether it's making a difference.
Foreword by Karen McGrane, managing partner of Bond Art + Science
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