It's a clear path forward.
And, crucially, the ability to make impact in ways that go beyond the standard create content, measure, repeat playbook that everyone expects from you.
A lot of the discourse around starting a content role is about quick wins and immediate deliverables. Except those first 90 days shouldn't just be about proving your worth through output.
What comes of that is surface-level strategy that only serves immediate needs. It might sound like the exact thing leadership wants, but it means you fail to build the foundations that will make you truly invaluable to the organization.
Great content careers happen in the structure you give them. Where you build on each phase methodically, taking your role to places others might not expect.
That requires a plan. But it's what makes great content strategists.
It doesn't fit neatly into 'hit the ground running' advice, or even generic onboarding plans.
Often it doesn't click until you see it mapped out properly.
But those are the careers that really deliver.
P.S. This is inspired by a similar one Yi Lin Pei made for PMMs a year ago. Thought I'd repurpose it for a content strategist
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