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Deane Barker is the Global Director of Content Management at Optimizely. He’s been working in content management for 25 years, and has written four books about the patterns and practices of modeling, creating, managing, and delivering digital content, including “Web Content Management: Systems, Features, and Best Practices” for O’Reilly Media and the “Web Project Guide: From Spark to Launch and Beyond.” Deane lives in Sioux Falls, South Dakota.
Connect with Deane to learn more.
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Here are Five Things We Cover:
- Embrace the “Publish Now, Perfect Later” Mentality: Deane encourages creators to share their content as it is and revisit it later for refinements. This approach can lead to a more authentic evolution of content and shows an openness to improve and update one’s work over time.
- Value Curiosity and Abundance in Content Creation: Great content stems from an unending curiosity and a rich pool of material to draw from. Barker’s own experiences and inquisitiveness in various subjects feed into his work, making it more engaging and comprehensive.
- AI in Content: The Human Connection Is Key: While acknowledging AI’s increasing influence in content creation, Barker underlines the indispensable element of human touch in content that differentiates it from AI-generated material, especially as AI becomes more prevalent.
- Work Passion and Understanding People Matter: For young professionals, Deane stresses the importance of identifying one’s passion and understanding the human dynamics in technology roles. Communication skills and a grasp of interpersonal relationships are just as crucial as technical knowledge.
- Content vs. Presentation on the Web: The idea that content should be separated from its presentation is central to Barker’s philosophy. Content creators should focus on the substance of their message, while the presentation can be varied depending on the platform and audience requirements.
Here are Three Actionable Takeaways From This Episode
- Embrace Imperfection in Content Creation: Start sharing your work now without waiting for it to be perfect. Regularly update and refine your content as you learn and grow.
- Make Learning a Career Priority: Choose roles and projects that challenge you and offer opportunities to learn new skills, rather than just focusing on job title or salary.
- Invest in Communication Skills: Focus on improving how you connect with others professionally. Practice active listening and appreciate different personalities in your workplace.