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For 20 years, I worked as a reporter and editor at various newspapers, most recently at the Austin Business Journal. Although I left the newspaper industry 12 years ago, I still consider myself a storyteller, now in the realm of content marketing. My journalism background continues to be the foundation of my career, emphasizing the importance of quality storytelling. Unlike the poorly crafted content that floods the internet, effective content—like the Goldman Sachs millennials infographic, SpareFoot Storage Beat blog, and Amazon's Day One blog—demonstrates top-tier storytelling that captivates and engages audiences.

We've all seen those typical airport press releases boasting about increased passenger traffic. While informative, they can be pretty dull. However, Austin-Bergstrom International Airport took a refreshing approach by sharing quirky and engaging data alongside their record-breaking 2017 statistics. Passengers consumed 61.5 tons of brisket, 684,199 breakfast tacos, and 18,300 bottles of Shiner Bock, while enjoying 1,500 live music performances. This lively, fun-filled press release shows that even government announcements can be entertaining and more digestible, moving away from the clichéd, formulaic writing that often plagues press releases.

Anyone who knows me has heard me rant about awful content online. According to a survey by Adobe Systems, poor content—whether it's too wordy, irrelevant, poorly designed, or not optimized—can severely damage a brand’s reputation and lead to lost sales. Two-thirds of consumers would abandon an online shopping cart due to these issues. For a brand to effectively compete, it must invest time, effort, and resources into producing high-quality content that is informative, authentic, and well-designed to build brand loyalty and encourage content sharing.

Measuring content marketing performance is essential, yet 18% of marketers don't track any metrics, leading to aimless efforts. Successful marketers monitor analytics daily, adjust strategies based on data, and prioritize audience engagement and content value. Without measurement, you can't identify what's working or make informed improvements. Use KPIs like session duration and conversion rates to refine and enhance your content strategy.

If asked about the freelancing capital of the world, you might guess New York City, San Francisco, or London. However, according to Carphone Warehouse, it's Austin, Texas. Austin tops their list of the world's best cities for freelancers based on metrics like employment rate, internet speed, leisure activities, and quality of life. Despite lower marks in co-working spaces, cost of living, and monthly rent, Austin excels in offering ample opportunities for flexible work schedules. The city's thriving freelance sector generated nearly $2.9 billion in revenue last year, with significant growth in skilled freelancers. As remote work becomes more prevalent, Austin's appeal for freelancers continues to rise.

As the coronavirus pandemic impacts the economy, nearly 65% of Americans fear not having enough money for the future, with the average emergency fund at just $2,299, according to a Jayhawk Media survey. To future-proof finances, it's crucial to set up an emergency fund covering three to six months of expenses, create a budget to monitor income and spending, freeze credit to curb unnecessary spending, and regularly check credit reports and scores to maintain financial health. While financial challenges are common, these steps can help mitigate the stress and uncertainty many Americans face.