Marcy Gineris, Web Content Manager and Strategist at Eastern Mennonite University, is one of the 13 higher ed professionals presenting at the 2014 Higher Ed Content Conference.
Marcy has been telling the EMU story for several years now.
In this 3-question interview, Marcy tells us about a content challenge, a secret weapon to create better content and shares some advice.
1) What is the biggest challenge you face in your day-to-day work on higher ed content?
Keeping priority projects at the top of the list. The “squeaky wheel gets the oil,” and that is especially true in higher ed. My answer to that age-old problem is to keep undergrad admissions as my priority client – no matter what. Admissions projects are always “hot jobs” despite what else may be on our plate.
2) What is your secret weapon to get better higher ed content created?
Talking to our students! Any opportunity to sit and chat informally with students usually turns into a gold mine of creativity for those of us in my very collaborative office. Whether they’re grad schoolers or first-year freshmen, students who share ideas and experiences help us course-correct and travel new paths. And chatting with certain students is wonderfully energizing. It reminds us why we do what we do.
3) What piece of advice would you give to somebody who wants to improve digital content?
Start at the beginning, from a user point of view. Too often academic content or architecture reflects an org chart or brochure copy. Talk directly to your user or visitor, and engage in the conversation from a usability standpoint. Learn more about user experience basics before you dig too deep into analytics.
