“Copycat content” isn’t an original phrase. In fact, I copied it from the website Copyblogger after realizing it perfectly explained the phenomenon. We have all seen it: Those “me too” marketing campaigns where the latest content trend (think: BuzzFeed Quizzes) explodes in popularity and you are left scratching your head wondering if the quiz, “What Game of Thrones Character Best Describes Your Mobile Attribution Strategy?" seems a little misaligned. 

I recently went online to find the perfect snarky Someecards to send to a friend as a birthday greeting when I noticed the webpage had been transformed from a collection of humorous posts to an aggregated pop culture news site, seemingly overnight. While imitation may be touted as the “best form of flattery,” why use this method in your marketing if your goal is to do anything but blend in with your competitors?

Here are some ideas to ensure you are putting your best brand forward through enabling your authentic voice to take center stage. 

When I worked as a content marketer at Grasshopper, the entrepreneur’s phone system, I took a personality test.

Everyone at the company took it. We shared our results, and there was something different about me than everyone else.

I scored very low on compliance.

What does that mean? Well, it means I am not great at following rules, that I find policies annoying and boring and that I was probably meant to work as a freelancer, rather than as an in-house content marketer.

It was another sign, in a long slew of them, that it was time to bite the bullet and quit.

I loved my job and my colleagues, but it wasn’t enough. I wanted the freedom of freelancing and helping a wide array of clients, rather than just one. Last month, I left my job and founded Stories by Emma, my own content marketing and freelance writing consultancy.

Who is the person behind all the great content you have been reading?

You already love his or her work, but you would like to learn more about the talented marketers creating some of Boston's best content. Rather than stalk LinkedIn, we have asked local content marketers to candidly share their biggest challenges, career advice, and content inspiration.

First in the hot seat is Amanda Maksymiw.

Maksymiw has been working in content marketing for more than seven years, and is currently the senior content marketing manager at predictive marketing company Lattice Engines. If you are familiar with Lattice Engine’s content, then you already know how talented Maksymiw is. Read on to learn more.

Meet content marketing creative Todd Stewart, marketing manager at HourlyNerd and adjunct public speaking professor at Bryant University, his alma mater. Stewart previously served in content and communications roles at Advanstar Communications and BoldrDash. A dog lover and marathon runner, Stewart explains how he brings his passion for efficient communication to content marketing.