Erika Heald is the host of the weekly #ContentChat LinkedIn Live video podcast for content marketers, held Mondays at noon Pacific. As a B2B marketing consultant, she helps organizations define and execute content marketing strategies that drive business and professional growth. As a creator, and gluten-free blogger helping people discover gut-friendly farm-to-table food. She frequently speaks at B2B marketing industry events on employee brand advocacy, content strategy, customer experience, AI readiness, and social media topics. You can find her on her blogs erikaheald.com and erikasglutenfreekitchen.com.
We interrupt our scheduled #ContentChat Bulletin for a personal message from Erika
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I've always been a "don't let the carrots touch the mashed potatoes on the plate" kind of person. In the early days of social media, it meant having a handful of different Twitter accounts, each focused on different facets of my interests. It took years before I friended work colleagues on Facebook. I've been keeping up that vigilance here, too, for months. But this Monday, I am beyond tired. So, I am going to share something with you that I shared on my personal accounts late last week. We'll be back to our usual content strategy and governance insights in the next issue. But right now, I've got to come clean about what's been going on with me over the past few months. I have a long-awaited update: I will not be undergoing chemotherapy. Instead, I'll be starting radiation treatment later this month. I'll be treated daily for five weeks here in Sacramento. While this should be welcome news, I have to be honest: getting here has been an incredibly frustrating process. My medical oncologist has been unresponsive, and due to a significant error on their part—sending the wrong sample for testing—I found out I didn't need chemo from my radiation oncologist, not my primary oncologist. I still haven't officially been told by the medical team managing my case; that appointment isn't for another two weeks. It's been exhausting having to chase down basic information about my own care. I'm grateful for my radiation oncologist stepping in, or I'd still be in limbo. With this clarity on my availability, I can begin reaching out and scheduling new content governance and AI readiness projects to start in late March. As I move forward with radiation, I'm hoping the road ahead is clearer and more supported. How You Can HelpThere are a few ways you can help make a difference for me over the next month: 1) Buy a copy of my book, Content Foundations, either directly or through Amazon or your favorite bookseller. 2) Hire me to speak at your live or virtual event or for a content strategy working session. 3) Refer me to someone you know who needs to get their foundations in place to activate their content strategy or implement AI in their content workflows. 4) Donate to my GoFundMe. Lyft and DoorDash gift cards also make a huge difference. I've had to scale back my work since October, and the out of pocket costs associated with cancer treatment are...horrifying. This is also where you can see the updates from throughout my breast cancer treatment journey. 5) Send me your good vibes, funny pet photos, etc. It helps a lot! Thank you to everyone who has listened and cheered me on over the past few months. It's meant everything to me. Cheers, Erika Coming Up on #ContentChatContent 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.
ICYMIIf your AI tools still feel like eager interns who don't quite "get" your business priorities, you're not alone. Most marketers jump into using AI for content tasks—without first laying the strategic infrastructure your B2B marketing strategy actually needs. If you've ever wished you could look over someone's shoulder to see, step-by-step, how they configure their AI tools, this session is for you. Until next time, stay safe and be well! Cheers, Erika |
The #ContentChat Bulletin
Erika Heald is the host of the weekly #ContentChat LinkedIn Live video podcast for content marketers, held Mondays at noon Pacific. As a B2B marketing consultant, she helps organizations define and execute content marketing strategies that drive business and professional growth. As a creator, and gluten-free blogger helping people discover gut-friendly farm-to-table food. She frequently speaks at B2B marketing industry events on employee brand advocacy, content strategy, customer experience, AI readiness, and social media topics. You can find her on her blogs erikaheald.com and erikasglutenfreekitchen.com.
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