BIG Design 2015 conference session Audio available for download via Google Drive: https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B-85b8hWuMLYNy1LQ3BPM1FqT0U/view?usp=sharing In this talk, we’ll de-mysitfy the process of content modeling or defining the structure of content for a CMS website. You will see real-world examples and practical tips to help you with modeling your content. We’ll cover: Identifying unique content types needed for a website Defining metadata for your content types Writing authoring instructions for a delightful user experience for administrators Designing display templates for each content type Ensuring your content model is adaptive for various devices or channels

1. Content Modeling:
How to Structure your Content

2. Why Content Model?

3. Why Content Model?

4. What is a Content Model?
• A document defining the structureof each content type
and the user experience for content authors and
editors within a CMS

5. Why Content Model?

6. Why Content Model?

7. Why Content Model?
COPE
(Create Once, Publish Everywhere)

9. Step-by-Step
1. Identify Content Types
2. Design Display Templates
3. Define Meta Data
4. Write Author Instructions

10. 1. Identify Content Types
Groups of content that share consistent fields or attributes,
display templates and relationships
Common Types:
• Article
• Blog Post
• Event
• Product

11. 1. Identify Content Types
YES, create a content type:
– Predictable Properties
– Consistent Formatting
– Sorting and Filtering
– Relationships
DON’T create a content type:
– Only a few items
– Basic Page content type will
suffice

12. 1. Identify Content Types (example)

13. 2. Design Display Templates
For each content type (with some exceptions)…
Single Display Template(s)
• Design for a single item
of said content type
• i.e. News Article page
List Display Template(s)
• Design for a list of multiple
items of said content type
• i.e. News Landing page

16. 3. Define Meta Data
Meta Data are the consistent fields or attributes shared across
items in a content type
Basic fields
• Title
• Description
• Date
Image/Display fields
• Full-size photo
• Thumbnail
• Turn on/off
promos
Relational fields
• Topic Category
• Audience Category
• Related Items

17. Title
Subtitle
Body
Full-size
image

18. Topic
category
Date
Description
Thumbnail
photo

19. 4. Write Author Instructions
To preserve the integrity and vision of your design, provide clear
instructions for each piece of Meta Data

20. 4. Write Author Instructions
Remember!
• Suggest
image
dimensions
and
character
counts

22. The Result
The feedback from our staff, volunteers, and users has been great.
It definitely was a learning curve the first week, but overall has
been a major improvement to the organization of our content.
-NMFA Web Team
“

23. Cliff’s Notes
• You should be Content Modeling
• Steps:
1. Identify Content Types
2. Design Display Templates
3. Define Meta Data
4. Write Author Instructions
• Result: Happy Clients, Happy Designers

24. Want More?
• Karen McGrane
– Presentations:
• Adapting Ourselves to Adaptive Content
• Content Strategy for Mobile
– Book: Content Strategy for Mobile
• Sara Wachter-Boettcher
– Book: Content Everywhere

25. The End!
Contact Me:
lacey.kruger@blackbaud.com
http://www.slideshare.net/LaceyKruger