I launched my book, Content Foundations, two weeks ago, and have gotten to catch up with so many of my favorite people to talk content strategy and governance. What was interesting (and not so surprising) is how many folks confided that they couldn't imagine being able to find the time to write a book.

But here's the thing: those same people are always creating—podcasts, presentations, blog posts, books. But too often, we treat each piece of content like a one-time special edition of one instead of the base for a full-on content strategy.

You already have your ideas out there, it's just about revisting that content and thinking through how to put it to work in other channels, or even with different audiences.

That’s exactly why, when I wrote my book, I didn’t start from scratch. I turned to my own content archive—10 years of #ContentChat recaps, slides from countless speaking engagements, hundreds of hours of Otter.ai transcripts, and blog posts spanning decades.

The result? A fully aligned, deeply researched book built from a foundation of material I had already created. That’s the power of content reuse done right.

With this experience top of mind, I can't wait for our next two #ContentChat conversations, which are 100% created for those of you who feel every one of the words you've just read. Because life is too short to wait around for the right time to do the things that will bring you joy.

Coming Up on #ContentChat

Content Chat is my weekly LinkedIn Live video chat focused on sharing expertise and ideas amongst the content marketing community. Join the conversation on Mondays at noon Pacific / 3 p.m. Eastern. RSVP for our upcoming conversations by clicking the chat date below to get a reminder and to access the chat.

• 🎥 TODAY on #ContentChat, we’re joined by YouTube strategist Catara Lane, who will teach us how authors and thought leaders can use YouTube playlists to build a marketing funnel that drives visibility and sales. Whether you’re a nonfiction author, novelist, or personal brand, you’ll learn how to use bingeable video content to support your goals—without being glued to a camera or a content calendar.
• 🎥 Next Monday, February 2, 2026, on #ContentChat, we’re joined by content strategist Annie Figenshu to explore how keynote speakers and other thought leaders can convert their expertise into a content system that actually supports business growth. We’ll break down her Content Production Team framework and share practical tips for structuring your ideas into measurable marketing outcomes.

ICYMI

​[#ContentChat Recap] How to Market to Skeptical Audiences​
Do you market to marketers, IT leaders, or other skeptical audiences? In this #ContentChat, Erika Heald and Maureen Jann share how transparency, lived experience, and peer validation can help you earn trust from even the most marketing-resistant groups.
🔗 Read the recap or watch the video archive.

​[#ContentChat Recap] Content Governance and Scaling With AI​
Without content governance, scaling your content operations inevitably leads to chaos. In this #ContentChat, Erika Heald and Maureen Jann break down how to build a governance framework that enables consistent, brand-aligned content—especially when AI tools enter your workflow.
🔗 Read the recap or watch the video archive.

Content Governance Checklist: Is Your Strategy Built to Scale?​
This self-scoring checklist, created for the Content Foundations launch, helps content teams identify gaps in brand voice, workflows, roles, and AI readiness. Use it to uncover hidden risks, clarify your operational blind spots, and see where content governance can help turn your content strategy into a sustainable, scalable system.
🔗 Download the checklist​

Until next time, stay safe and be well!

Cheers,

Erika

​
​
​Erika Heald, Founder & Chief Content Officer​
​Erika Heald Marketing Consulting​
​​
LinkedIn: @erikaheald​
Instagram: @MissErikaSF
​Threads: @MisserikaSF
​Bluesky: @erikaheald.bsky.social​​
​YouTube: @ErikaHeald​