New year, new job? 

That seems to be the case for so many people in my network. (Or, maybe the LinkedIn algorithm just makes sure those “new role” posts show up in everyone’s feed.)

Either way, exciting times for so many people making a switch! And candidly, I’m one of the bunch. (Hush, hush, though. Not quite official yet 🤫)

One of the best pieces of advice I’ve seen for anyone starting a new role is to put a win up on the board as early as possible (credit: Dave Gerhardt). Shore up a process that the team has historically struggled with. Get a new asset out the door that helps sales close a deal. Something. Anything.

But beyond that effort to put a win on the board, you need to be creating the foundation for your own success at the company. 

A couple of weeks ago, I wrote a little bit about what I’d do if I were starting the Mosaic content strategy from scratch again. And I realized that the early chunk of that process would be a great 30-day plan for any new role in content (or even marketing at large). 

So, here’s the quiet work I’d be doing in the background if I started a new role leading content. 

1. Internal Research. Get deep in the weeds with positioning and messaging docs, sales decks, persona outlines, company values, goals, and whatever else you can get your hands on. You’ll be meeting with your own team for sure, but make sure you also get face time with sales, customer success, and your founders as much as possible to get their perspectives on the business.
   

2. Sales Call Deep Dive. Soak up as much knowledge as you can from Gong recordings (or whatever tool your sales team uses). Personally, I think discovery calls are your best resource. Find those calls where sales is diving deep into pain points and potential needs. Figure out what exactly your target audience struggles with most.
   

3. Connect with Customers. Once you’ve got enough knowledge about the company, you should put it to work in customer calls. Ask specific questions about why they needed a tool like yours, what they still struggle with, and what’s on their wish list of features. 

Spend your first 30 days on this kind of research process and you’ll be in the strongest possible position for your next month, quarter, and even year at the new company.

Don’t skip these steps in favor of looking productive. Strike a balance, get some wins under your belt, and build that foundation for long-term success.

Best of luck in your new role if you’ve got one!

— Joe Michalowski

Featured content

Content Ops PT 2: How to Add & Scale New Content Programs as a Solo Marketer

The life of a solo content marketer is a difficult one. So many potential strategies and tactics you could pursue. So little time. (And often so few resources.) Eric is one of the best at not only prioritizing his efforts but also automating his way to success. Part 1 of Camille’s discussion was loaded with value — you can expect even more from Part 2.

Beer moments and Red Bull moments — what a way to think about how you approach your next salary negotiation. If you’re in the same role to start the year, comp discussions will probably be coming soon. Listen in for advice from Ashley Louise on getting your best deal possible from that conversation.

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— Joe Michalowski

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