[THE LATEST] What is a content strategy, 6 must-have video sales call tools and tech, and how to write about your competitors

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What is a content strategy, 6 must-have video sales call tools and tech, and how to write about your competitors ...this is THE LATEST! 🔥 Hot off the presses Not what you think: What is a content strategy? (includes examples and framework) Crush your goals: Here are the 6 must-have virtual sales call tools and technology you need Yes, it's possible: Learn how to write about your competitors in your blog content and on your website 🚀 Tickets are now on sale for HubSpot Training Day on October 27! Ticket prices go up from $39 to $99 on September 15, so don't wait. Because, whether you're just getting started or have been on the platform for years, HubSpot can transform your business, if your whole team knows how to get the most from your investment. Get your ticket today! I was going to wait until September 1 before I began decorating my apartment for fall. I had big plans for this year. This year was going to be different. This year, I was going to be an adult — an adult with self-restraint.  I'm ashamed to report that, on August 31, with only one day to go, I cracked under the pressure. Because I am a weak-willed, basic woman who has been staring longingly at the untouched plaid flannel shirts in her closet for months.  Like a forlorn female character in a Brontë novel... but much more embarrassing.  Je ne regrette rien. 🎃 "Decking the autumn halls" is my most treasured (and, admittedly, cheesiest) way to prepare for my favorite part of the year to arrive. (I'm a comfy, cozy fall and winter gal, through and through.) Still, this annual tradition was somewhat different this year, because six months after moving into my own place here outside of New Haven, Connecticut... ...my "office" is still a wobbly card table from Target awkwardly shoehorned into my living room. In front of my couch, cramped in between my coffee table and the door to my balcony. (It's where I'm writing this email newsletter to you right now.) Initially, I was bummed out by this. I tried to pretend things were normal during my yearly decorating party, but I still found myself annoyed. Today, though, I'm feeling much better. You see, to help inform the virtual sales tools and tech article I published today, I asked fellow IMPACTers to share their work-from-home and video conferencing setups... for research and to include in my article. They're all amazing, but my favorite is Brian Casey's: When I first saw it, I couldn't help but laugh. I've been on a thousand video calls with this guy. He always seems polished and poised, ready to throw down about anything content-related. But I was only yesterday-years-old when I learned that, to get the right angle and perfect lighting for his video calls, he stacks his computer on top of a wine box... on top of a laundry basket.  That's. Amazing. It was a great reminder that we're all just doing our best right now to adapt and make things work, you know? So, in addition to cutting others a little slack, try to do the same for yourself. Don't focus too hard on how "not normal" things are right now in your life, as hard as that may be. Instead, try to laugh and lean into the simple things that bring you joy, no matter how silly or pumpkin-saturated they might be.  And now, here's THE LATEST...  👉 "Wait, what is a content strategy? Is it our editorial calendar? Is it something else?" (11-minute read) A content strategy is a full company document that illustrates how the content the organization creates will impact every facet of the business. Your strategy will provide a holistic view of where you as an organization want to go and how your content will help you get there. But is it a spreadsheet? Is it a big Google doc? What should go in it and what shouldn't? How often should it be updated? Who should be involved? In this soup-to-nuts content marketing primer from IMPACT Content Trainer Jen Barrell, you'll learn exactly what a content strategy really is, what it should include, how it should be developed, and what you need to do to guarantee its success. 💬 You asked, we answered  How do we write a blog post in a way that's painless? What do our ideal buyers hate about our website copy? How can IMPACT help us with content creation? 🔥 👉 "OK, we're trying to embrace virtual selling, but what equipment, tools, and technology do we actually need?" (13-minute read) Virtual selling isn't going anywhere, any time soon. But being successful with your video sales calls is so much more than understanding how to adapt your processes and understand the new best practices. You also need the right tools and technology, so when a prospect gets on a video call with you, they trust you and feel at ease. Otherwise, you risk letting money walk out the door. So, what do you actually need, from a tools and tech perspective. In this article from, well, moi, you'll get a totally honest, comprehensive overview of the six types of essential virtual selling tools and tech you need, with loads of examples. 💬 You asked, we answered What are the eight virtual selling best practices we need to know? What are the six most common video sales call problems we might face? 👉 "You say we need to write about our competitors in our content, but how do we do that without sending our buyers to their virtual doorsteps?" (11-minute read) Writing about your competitors sounds counterintuitive, right? Why on earth would you give them attention in your content? Well, when you handle it the right way, competitor-focused content can be some of the most profitable you'll ever publish. We're not kidding. We are very, very serious. So, although I know it sounds like a great way to help boost the bottom lines of your competitors, you need to trust us. In this article from IMPACT Lead Content Trainer Kevin Phillips, you'll discover why competitor content is so powerful, how to write about your competitors (with examples), and much, much more. 💬 You asked, we answered What are the best revenue-generating blog topics for businesses? What are the most profitable types of marketing videos we should be filming? 🎒 Go back to school with IMPACT+ Yes, you need an IMPACT+ account to access these, but you won't regret it: Watch for free: How to Be a Sales Jedi by Mastering the Power of CRM Pro course: Fundamental Creating Sales and Marketing Videos Free course: Marketing Automation Mastery with HubSpot Workflows 🌶️ Hot topics in Elite IMPACT Elite is our exclusive Facebook group for the brightest minds in digital sales and marketing. Here's the discussion that caught my eye: Lisa is looking for a low cost CRM platform that includes sales pipeline tracking. With all the CRM platforms out there, which would you recommend she checks out? 👀 In case you missed it...  A few of my hand-selected, personal favorites from the IMPACT archives...  New WordPress update might break your website, here's how you fix it Google Image Search no longer will display images 'labeled for use' If I've already read They Ask, You Answer, why do I need IMPACT? ⚫ Weeklong nonsense With everything going on in the world, you now get nonsense in every single issue of THE LATEST... Sometimes, I like to spice things up with navy blue. But only when I feel like getting really wild. Toodle-loo!  Liz "Decorative Gourd Season" Moorehead Editorial Director @naptownpint Manage Preferences | Unsubscribe Sent with 💙 by IMPACT  470 James Street, Suite 10, New Haven, CT