Blog - Scriptorium

Using text strings and microcontent (podcast, part 1)

Simon Bate / 03.2021Podcast, Podcast transcriptLeave a Comment

In episode 90 of The Content Strategy Experts podcast, Gretyl Kinsey and Simon Bate talk about using text strings and microcontent. This is part one of a two-part podcast.

“They’re starting to get the idea of taxonomy and how important it is for all parts of their business to communicate using the exact same language. If this can be captured and put in one place, then those strings can be available to everybody.”

– Simon Bate

The content lifecycle: Archiving

Elizabeth Patterson / 02.2021Content strategy1 Comment

You’ve started developing a content strategy and are getting a better grasp on the content lifecycle. But what do you do about older content? It’s not as relevant as your most recent content, but there are still times when it proves useful. Your archiving approach is an important part of your content strategy and is often overlooked.

If you are moving from one content environment to another, you only want to convert what’s necessary. Archiving and organizing your content will help you decide what legacy content you want to convert. Here are some things to keep in mind when putting a plan in place for archiving content.

The misuse of metadata (podcast)

Gretyl Kinsey / 02.2021Podcast, Podcast transcriptLeave a Comment

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

In episode 89 of The Content Strategy Experts podcast, Gretyl Kinsey and Bill Swallow talk about strategies for avoiding the misuse of metadata and DITA XML-based content.

“The more you fine-tune how your content model needs to operate, the easier it’s going to be to move it forward over time. The more you start taking shortcuts and using metadata for purposes other than what it was intended for, the more problems you’re going to have.”

– Bill Swallow

Connecting the XML and web CMS mindsets

Sarah O'Keefe / 02.2021Content strategy, XMLLeave a Comment

Good news: The technical problem of integrating marketing and technical content has been solved.

Bad news: The hard work is just starting.

The design-focused marcom perspective and the structure-focused techcomm perspective need to co-exist and co-create.

Understanding information architecture (podcast)

Alan Pringle / 02.2021Podcast, Podcast transcript2 Comments

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

In episode 88 of The Content Strategy Experts podcast, Alan Pringle and special guest Amber Swope of DITA Strategies talk about information architecture.

“Information architecture is a role, not necessarily a position, but by ignoring it, you end up without the discipline and the consistency that really enables great customer experiences.”

– Amber Swope

Publishing consistent content across the enterprise

Elizabeth Patterson / 01.2021Content strategyLeave a Comment

Screenshot of creating a new post in Wordpress

Does your content strategy include a plan for publishing consistent content? Technical content is written to inform the user. Marketing content is written to persuade the user to buy your product or service. The line between those two types of content is starting to blur.

Structured content and evolving needs

Bill Swallow / 01.2021Content strategyLeave a Comment

When we look at structured content, the first priorities are usually efficiency and cost savings. These savings are gained through intelligent content reuse and automated content delivery. The implicit promise of structured authoring is consistency; use structure, get consistent content. But this isn’t always the case, nor should it be.

Finding the value when selling structure (podcast)

Sarah O'Keefe / 01.2021Podcast, Podcast transcriptLeave a Comment

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

In episode 87 of The Content Strategy Experts podcast, Sarah O’Keefe and special guest Nenad Furtula of Bluestream talk about finding the value when selling structure. Why do so many tech pubs departments fail to get support for structured content and what can we potentially do to change that?

Reconnecting in 2021

Elizabeth Patterson / 01.2021OpinionLeave a Comment

A road leading to a city with 2021 written on the lanes

2020 was an unpredictable year. We learned (or at least attempted) to be flexible during difficult times. With flexibility in mind, we are making some cautious industry and pandemic related predictions for 2021.

The (reluctant) best of 2020

Elizabeth Patterson / 12.2020Content strategyLeave a Comment

As 2020 comes to an interesting close, let’s take a look at some of our most popular posts and podcasts from the year.