A day in the life of a first finance hire

Overcoming the Challenge of Writing as a Content Marketer: A Lesson in Detail and Credibility

Being a content marketer comes with its fair share of challenges, but perhaps one of the toughest hurdles is writing about topics and areas that we don't fully understand. It's a fundamental aspect of our role to write about a wide range of subjects without always having the expertise to back it up, all while striving to sound credible. Unfortunately, many content marketers fall short in this regard, leaving their articles sounding off to knowledgeable readers. In this blog post, we'll explore the importance of detail and credibility in content marketing and how a specific article can serve as an exceptional example.

The Pitfall of Vague Generalizations

When faced with the challenge of writing about unfamiliar topics, content marketers often resort to vague, hand-wavy generalizations. While these statements may be technically accurate, such as mentioning "crunching numbers" or "diving into spreadsheets" for finance-related content, they lack the necessary depth to convince readers of our expertise. What exactly happens when someone "crunches numbers"? What kind of spreadsheet are they using? By avoiding concrete details, we unintentionally undermine our credibility.

The Subconscious Reflex of Risk-Averse

Writing The inclination to write in a vague, non-committal manner is not a deliberate choice but a subconscious reflex. As content marketers, we aim to minimize the risk of being proven wrong or criticized. By steering clear of concrete statements, we hope to avoid scrutiny. However, this risk-averse approach compromises the quality of our content and inhibits genuine engagement with our audience.

The Article That Breaks the Mold

In contrast to the typical risk-averse content, there is an article that stands out as a shining example of detailed and credible writing. Titled "A Day in the Life of a First Finance Hire," this short blog post takes the opposite approach. Instead of relying on vague generalizations, it presents an intricately detailed account of the exact activities a finance professional would undertake. This level of specificity and transparency resonates strongly with finance-minded readers, as it authentically represents their daily experiences and challenges.

Building Credibility Through Empathy and Understanding

Although "A Day in the Life of a First Finance Hire" may not follow the traditional blog post format or focus on keyword optimization, it is still considered excellent content. The target audience, consisting of CFOs and finance professionals seeking spreadsheet alternatives, appreciates the article's empathetic tone and deep understanding of their work. By delving into the nitty-gritty details, the article forges a connection between the readers and the company behind it, leaving a lasting impression and positioning the company as one worth paying attention to in the future.

The Importance of Expertise and Attention to Detail

To create an article of this caliber, one must either possess firsthand experience or collaborate with an expert, like Bobby, to extract their insights and concrete details. Unfortunately, most content marketers do not invest the necessary time and effort to achieve this level of authenticity. However, aspiring content marketers can challenge themselves by attempting to write a similarly detailed "day in the life" piece, even if it remains unpublished. This exercise serves as a valuable test to gauge their understanding of the topic and the ability to capture the essence of a specific profession or industry.

In the realm of content marketing, the ability to write with detail and credibility is a sought-after skill. Overcoming the challenges of discussing unfamiliar subjects requires a conscious effort to avoid vague generalizations and embrace specific, nuanced descriptions. The exemplary article, "A Day in the Life of a First Finance Hire," serves as a beacon of inspiration, illustrating how attention to detail can cultivate empathy and understanding among target audiences.