How do you grow your content governance and workflow process?

I’ve worked with many entrepreneurs & small business owners who are either riding solo or have a very small team. In my experience, one of the most important things to do in order to simplify any content workflow is coming up with a creative formula that can be easily re-created and applied either on a weekly or monthly basis. This helps to minimize the creative blocks and instead focus on things that have proven to work repeatedly

To grow your content governance and workflow process, define clear objectives, assess your current process, establish guidelines, implement a content management system, define roles, establish review processes, provide training, and continuously monitor and refine the process.

Content creation is often a collaborative endeavor. While defining roles is crucial to streamline processes, it's equally vital to cultivate a culture of open communication. Collaborative tools, regular team check-ins, and feedback loops can ensure that everyone is on the same page. Encourage your team to share ideas, insights, and constructive criticisms. This approach not only strengthens the quality of your content but also fosters innovation and ensures that your brand remains a relevant voice in your industry.

Feature Prioritization in Content: you can prioritize content elements. Use tools like the MoSCoW method (Must have, Should have, Could have, and Won't have) to classify feedback from both clients and stakeholders, ensuring essential elements are incorporated first.

Tools you can use to automate your content workflow: 1. Trello: Task management tool to keep a tab on which articles are pending to be reviewed, which aren't etc. 2. Sheets: To maintain a proper calendar for Social Media / Blogs etc. 3. Grammarly: A free tool to get your article reviewed accurately. Other features include plagiarism checker, citation generation, etc. 4. Other content workflow tools include Hive and ClickUp.

Experiment and A/B Test: constantly testing and iterating products. In content, this can translate to A/B testing. For instance, if there's disagreement on a headline or a call-to-action, use A/B testing to see which version resonates more with the audience.

Stakeholder Mapping: Just as product managers understand who the decision-makers are, content creators should map out stakeholders. Knowing who has the final say, who can be an influencer, and who's a gatekeeper can streamline the feedback process and reduce conflicts. Manage Expectations with Roadmaps: roadmaps provide a clear direction. Similarly, content calendars can align stakeholders and clients on what to expect and when. This ensures everyone is in sync and avoids last-minute surprises.

??the key to successful growth is flexibility. Continuously assess and adjust your content governance and workflow process to align with your evolving content goals, team dynamics, and industry trends.