Introduction

Contently is a comprehensive content marketing platform designed to empower enterprises and large brands with strategic content creation and management. It provides a robust solution for companies looking to scale their content efforts, connect with a global network of vetted creative talent, and optimize their content performance through data-driven insights. More than just a content marketplace, Contently acts as an end-to-end partner for developing content strategy, managing workflows, and ensuring brand consistency across all content initiatives.

Key Features

• Expert Talent Network: Access to a curated global network of freelance writers, editors, strategists, designers, and videographers, all vetted for quality and specialized expertise.
• Content Strategy & Planning: Tools and expert guidance to develop data-driven content strategies aligned with business goals, including topic ideation and audience research.
• Workflow Management: An intuitive platform for planning, assigning, tracking, reviewing, and approving content, streamlining the entire content production process from brief to publication.
• Performance Analytics: Robust analytics dashboards to measure content effectiveness, track key KPIs (e.g., engagement, traffic, conversions), and demonstrate ROI.
• Brand Governance & Guidelines: Features to enforce brand voice, style, and legal compliance across all content, ensuring consistency and adherence to corporate standards.
• Integrated Payments & Compliance: Handles all aspects of freelancer management, including contracts, secure payments, and legal compliance, reducing administrative burden.
• Dedicated Account Management: Often includes strategic account managers to provide ongoing support, guidance, and optimization for content programs.

Pros

• High-Quality Talent: Provides access to top-tier, specialized freelance talent that can be difficult to source independently.
• Streamlined Workflow: Centralizes content operations, significantly improving efficiency and reducing manual tasks for large content teams.
• Scalability: Enables organizations to rapidly scale content production to meet growing demands without increasing in-house headcount.
• Data-Driven Decisions: Offers powerful analytics to inform content strategy and prove the value of content marketing efforts.
• Brand Consistency: Helps maintain a consistent brand voice and quality across all content output.
• Reduced Administrative Overhead: Simplifies freelancer management, payments, and legal compliance.
• Strategic Partnership: Acts as a strategic partner, offering expertise beyond just talent provision.

Cons

• Cost: Geared towards enterprise clients, making it a significant investment that might be out of reach for small to medium-sized businesses.
• Learning Curve: The comprehensive platform might require some initial training for new users to fully leverage all its features.
• Reliance on Platform: Companies become somewhat reliant on Contently’s ecosystem for their content operations.
• Less Flexibility for Direct Management: While designed to simplify, some organizations might prefer direct, individual relationships with freelancers without an intermediary.
• Not for Small-Scale Needs: Overkill for businesses with infrequent or very limited content requirements.

Pricing

Contently operates on an enterprise-level, custom pricing model. They do not publicly disclose their pricing on their website, as costs are typically tailored to the specific needs, volume of content, type of talent required, and level of strategic support a client needs. Prospective clients generally need to contact Contently directly for a demo and a personalized quote. It is understood to be a premium service reflecting the comprehensive platform, access to vetted talent, and strategic partnership offered, representing a significant investment for large organizations committed to scaling their content marketing efforts.