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Help Me Help You – Spend Content Marketing Money

By Joe Pulizzi | Published: September 29, 2009

Well, first the bad news.

After months of trying to work this out, the winner of Junta42's $4200 in 42 Days Contest, 48HourPrint, decided not to move forward with their project. (for those of you who don't remember, every project match that went through the Junta42 system over a 42 day period was eligible to receive the $4200 dollars)

When we started this contest, we all thought how easy it would be to give this money away. I mean, who wouldn't want $4200 to kick-start a content project, be it a blog, a newsletter, a video series or even (heaven forbid) something in print?

Now, the good news.

We have $4200 to try something new.

What should we do? What would you do? Should we give it away (I'm thinking yes)? Should we spend it on our own content (that's not as much fun)?

How would you spend $4200? Would you go video, blog content, search strategies? Maybe you'd get a content audit and strategy completed, so you'd know exactly what needs to happen with your content marketing strategy?

Drop me a line and let me know…maybe I can give the money to you.


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  • http://www.rickliebling.com Rick Liebling

    Here’s how I would spend the money: I’d hire professionals to help me create a multi-media package that showcases my strategic thinking (as seen on my blog) and my creative output(via my Foundtracks project). Together this limited-edition, annual release (magazine format, with attached CD) would serve as my marketing collateral material.

  • http://latinitmarketing.com Fernando

    I’d use it to convert my current blog into a professional looking website with a clear and bold above-the-fold call-to-action for my content marketing consulting business!!!

  • http://www.phaseware.com Jody Pellerin

    I would do one of the items you suggested: get a content audit and strategy completed. I have the skills to implement anything that needs to be done, or I can quickly learn. However, I think it is best to have a third party go over my content as I may be too close to any issues to see them and determine the best way to resolve them. With a firm starting point, it is easier to implement coordinated improvements rather than try to make improvements piecemeal that may not come together after all is said and done.

  • http://blog.junta42.com Joe Pulizzi

    Great ideas…funny, I’ve received about five emails as well about getting a content audit done. Hello Content Audit companies…big demand today.
    Thanks to each of you for responding!

  • http://www.paulconley.com/ Paul Conley

    Hi Joe,
    Here’s a thought…why not give the $4200 to a nonprofit that needs some content help?
    The hardest part would be deciding which nonprofit would get the money. Should it be a school, an agency that serves the handicapped? something that helps feed the poor?
    I know your Golf for Autism project has likely put you in touch with loads of organizations that work with that population.
    Is there an agency or school that works with kids with autism that needs some help?
    Paul

  • http://blog.junta42.com Joe Pulizzi

    Great idea Paul…we’ve already had so many approach us on the same thing. We’ll be making a decision on what to do over the next few weeks. All this input is fantastic.

  • http://nutlug.wordpress.com ContentKeith

    Hey, Joe: an offer for you to consider — if you decide to go the NFP route, and that NFP decides to (wisely) invest in a content audit, I will happily conduct the entire audit AND craft a content strategy for the ‘winner’ — likely a five digit+ cost normally (as you know), all for the $ 4,200. I’d be happy to do the extra work for a good cause. No obligations, just putting the offer out there.
    Thanks for all you do!
    Keith Wiegold

  • http://blog.junta42.com Joe Pulizzi

    Wow…excellent offer Keith. We are going to sit down and figure out what we are going to do over the next couple of weeks. Tough decision, so many good ideas. Will keep you posted.

  • http://www.advantageprint24.com David Moore

    Joe,
    I’d use the money to create weekly or bi-weekly webisodes of content filled web.tv. It would be a show about Your community (Kinston, NC), Your leaders (5 min – business and civic inspiring interviews), and Your business (small biz tips, marketing, printing, design). The show would last 20 mins or so. Think Hubspot.tv but local. I just need help with audio and some editing software.

  • http://www.netstrategies.com Laurie Dunlop

    Joe, I would invest in our future and find a College that teaches content marketing … the seniors likely have a project to complete this year to graduate … you could inspire the students to create a content plan using your guidance and award the winner the $4200. If you choose this option, let me know and I will interview the winner for my NetStrategies blog!