You're feeling stuck in your Content Strategy career. What can you do to get unstuck?

- Seek feedback on your work to identify areas for improvement. - Set specific, achievable goals for skill development and career advancement. - Network with professionals in your field for insights and opportunities. - Attend workshops, webinars, and conferences to stay updated on industry trends. - Experiment with new content formats and strategies to expand your expertise. - Consider a mentorship or coaching program for personalized guidance. - Reflect on your career path and explore new niches or industries that interest you.

Feeling stuck in a Content Strategy career often signals the need for a shift in perspective or skills. First, dive into analytics; understanding the data behind your content can show new directions and improvements. For instance, a 10% increase in user engagement from a specific content type might suggest a pivot or more profound exploration into similar content. You can expand your skill set. Learning SEO, video production, or data analysis can significantly enhance your value. Networking within and outside your industry can provide fresh insights and opportunities. Lastly, consider a mentorship or professional development course; even a short course can invigorate your approach and creativity, unlocking new pathways in your career.

What worked for me? Well, first, I branched out. Instead of just writing, I learnt SEO. My content suddenly had new sense, and my audience loved it. Then, there's networking, but not the boring kind. I'm talking about joining online communities, engaging in forums, or just striking up conversations at your local coffee shop. Once, I ended up chatting with a guy who turned his weekend hobby into a successful online business. Also, don't underestimate side projects. They're like playgrounds for creativity. Start a blog, a podcast, or an Instagram page about something you’re passionate about. Fresh perspectives are gold. Show your work to people outside your field.

Assess your current abilities, strengths, and limitations. Determine which areas of your career are causing you frustration. Clarify your long-term professional objectives and desires.

Improve your knowledge/skillset: take courses or classes (LinkedIn Learning is great!) to improve your knowledge in the field as well as your credibility. Network: build your network with professionals in and around content strategy. Whether this be on LinkedIn or at in-person events, you can expose yourself to new opportunities with a variety of people. Find a side gig: shake things up and find a side gig that might be different from what you normally focus on in content strategy. This can be a great way to improve knowledge and skills, network, and expand your resume.

Exploring new horizons in your career often begins with embracing feedback. It’s not just about knowing where you stand but discovering paths you hadn't considered. For example, a peer might point out your knack for simplifying complex ideas, suggesting a pivot towards UX writing or content design. This feedback can be a goldmine for growth. It uncovers blind spots and affirms strengths, guiding your steps towards roles or projects where you can shine. Engaging with a diverse group for feedback—managers, peers, mentors—ensures a well-rounded view of your capabilities and areas for development.

In my experience one of the most underrated tools in the creative space (and yes, I believe Content strategy falls under Creative work) is feedback & constructive criticism. Successful strategy requires iteration, and for content which is so much so a relationship between the creator and the consumer, it's important to step outside of that space and zoom out. Is the content you are creating resonating, is it reflective of the brand you are conveying, etc. Often we are our own worst critics, and yet, even then, we can sometimes miss the little areas we can improve on in our work. Another perspective provides exactly that: perspective.

Remember that you won't only find insights and inspiration from content in your specific field. It's great to read a book or take a course on content strategy or content marketing, but sometimes, escaping with some fiction or an entertaining movie is just what you need. But remember to always have your mind turned on to look for connections. What was it about the book that appealed to you (or didn't)? Why was that particular scene the most interesting to you? What did those creators do to connect you with that content? Those moments will unlock other ideas for your strategy and marketing.

Learning SEO. With a special focus on semantic SEO and programmatic SEO. Usually, content strategists are "good" at editorial SEO. At the time, this could have been enough to get content discovered. Those days are gone. One of the consequences of Generative AI's exponential rise is its impact on Search, especially due to Google being forced to enter the AI race with no real vision and anticipated strategy, is the necessity of SEO skills to keep pace with those changes and understand how content will rank on Search and get discovered in Chat. To remain efficient at their jobs, content strategists might not need to master programmatic SEO or technical SEO. But they do need to understand how it works.

In the world of content strategy, staying ahead of the curve is crucial. Get unstuck by signing up for online courses and exploring insightful reads, industry and non-industry podcasts, and webinars. Actively participating in online communities is another way to gain valuable insights from your peers. This constant learning not only keeps your skillset sharp but also exposes you to new trends and approaches.

You don't have to change industry to try something new. Very often when being in a specific industry for too long, topics and themes can feel stagnant, but applying a new framework or point of view to them can help with new and fresh solutions. I find that bringing an approach from another field to the table can have positive results. For example, borrowing on validation systems from STEM subjects or looking at how entertainment producers look at keeping the attention of their audience in reality TV can inform your next content strategy and delivery.

Stepping out of your comfort zone helps widen your perspective on your career. Often, it is easier to choose to work on what is known, but this could mean stunting your possibility for growth. Using a new technology, working with a new industry or team, or taking the leap of faith and managing other people might be what helps you get unstuck!

Reflecting on and celebrating your progress and achievements is crucial to personal and professional growth. Whether through journaling, updating your portfolio or resume, sharing insights, or indulging in an individual reward, acknowledging your journey helps solidify the value of your experiences and contributions. This practice enhances your confidence and motivation and deepens your satisfaction, serving as a powerful reminder of how you've honed your skills, overcome challenges, or made a difference in someone's life.