Ronell 
Why is becoming a better writer important? Because the ability to effectively distill, convey and share your ideas in a succinct fashion and with clarity is the hallmark of top communicators in any vertical. The best product doesn’t always win. The best message typically does. Becoming a better writer is one of the best things you … Read more
User manual for being sheltered in place with Ronell Smith from Ronell Smith I wrote this post three years ago, shortly after the COVID-19 shutdown began, when I learned that my family would be working, learning, and going to school from home. The user manual I created was a huge help in keeping us … Read more
Looking for a marketing angle likely to yield high returns? The solution is right under your nose: pain point removal. Stop selling; start solving problems. Ever have one of those “attempting-to-drink-from-the-fire-hose” moments? Lately, I’ve had more than my fair share, including this one… “You know what I don’t get about content marketing, Ronell?,” said John, … Read more
I’m a writer. Not a web content writer or web copywriter, but a writer, mind you. That sentence, however, tells an incomplete story. The work I do goes well beyond writing to include strategy (content and brand), business coaching, business advisor and speaker. So, you might be thinking, “Why do you call yourself a writer?” … Read more
Customer experience is the lifeblood of any service- or product-related business. It accounts for the many and varied interactions a prospect or customer has with your brand, before, during and after they do business with you. If the experience is positive, you can earn a customer for life. If the reverse is true, you’ll not … Read more
If you’re trying to build a corporate blog, don’t simply focus on the content you create and share. Focus, too, on having subject matter experts help you create accurate, high-quality content, and you’ll be ahead of the competition and further ensure your web copy gets read. It’s not enough that you think anyone who can … Read more
Brands as publishers? Rubbish! Your brand doesn’t need to be a publisher to be successful at content marketing. In fact, publishing your own content could actually be a detriment to your business. I attacked the logic of brands as publishers before, making the point that publishing content is one thing but attempting to adopt a … Read more
How important is social media for small business owners? In a word, imperative. The platforms are too important for hearing from, learning about and getting to know your audience and would-be audience. What’s more, businesses not using social media are putting themselves at a distinct disadvantage as compared to their competitors, who’re likely soaking up … Read more
If you desire the be the best web strategist or foremost content expert, reading must be part of your personal content marketing plan. Being an avid reader came naturally to me, for my parents insisted that we always have a book in our hands, whether for homework or otherwise. So reading dozens of books each … Read more
I became a content strategist by accident; I was very deliberate in finding my content strategy community online. It all began in 2010. One of my friends, an executive at a multi-billion-dollar outdoor brand, shared with me that online marketing was blistering hot. “If you’re focusing your energy anywhere else, Ronell, you’re making a mistake,” … Read more
Community building is all the rage today, and for good reason. A strong, vibrant community will take your business further than any other single element of content marketing. What’s more, community building is a key component of successful inbound marketing efforts, in addition to being one of the easiest, best ways to organically scale link building. I’m … Read more