VCEDC Content Workflow — Word Docs Per Page

Overview

During the October 2025 staging review, AAG and VCEDC aligned on a structured content workflow to move the website build forward. The core problem: copy had been pulled from various sources, was often duplicated or outdated, and didn't clearly answer the question visitors most needed answered — "What do you do?"

The solution is a page-by-page Word document workflow that gives VCEDC a clear, bounded task (rewrite copy) while giving the developer a single source of truth for implementation.

Related meeting: ^[1]
Client: ^[2]

The Workflow

AAG's Role

1. Create one Word document per website page.
2. Populate each doc with the current placeholder/draft copy from the staging site.
3. Include placeholder links for every button and CTA, with a best-guess destination (e.g., Contact Us, Start a Business page). VCEDC can override these.
4. Deliver all docs to Kathy and Tracey by EOD November 1.

VCEDC's Role (Kathy)

1. Open the Word doc alongside the staging site in a browser.
2. Rewrite copy directly in the doc, using the live layout as a visual guide to match content length and placement to the design.
3. Return completed docs to AAG for implementation.

Why This Approach

• Avoids confusion from scattered feedback across Miro, email, and verbal notes.
• Lets Kathy write to the layout rather than submitting freeform copy that may not fit.
• Creates a single handoff artifact the developer can implement without interpretation.

Core Content Goal

"When I get phone calls, it's 'I went to your website but I don't know what you guys do.' My goal is to make sure that if someone's going to our website, we're answering that question — so they pick up the phone, call me, send me an email, fill out our contact form."
— Kathy Schmitz

Every page should be evaluated against two questions before launch:
- Does this page clearly explain what VCEDC does?
- Does it give the visitor an obvious next action (call, email, contact form)?

Homepage Simplification Decision

During the review, a redundant section — "Your Key to Vilas County Growth" — was identified as duplicating copy already present higher on the page. Decision: remove it entirely. The homepage should retain:

• Hero banner (with replacement high-res image)
• Primary value statement: "Grow your business with Vilas County EDC — Love Where You Live"
• Core service snippets linking to interior pages
• Business success stories section

The removed section had no distinct CTA destination and added length without adding clarity.

Known Copy & Content Issues (as of Oct 2025)

Leadership Content Notes

• Jim Tuckwell content (Board Chair references, WXPR/Channel 12 interviews) should remain through end of year, then be replaced with the incoming chair's content as new interviews are recorded.
• Roger (staff profile): awaiting a professional, high-resolution photo. Low-res submissions received to date are not acceptable for the site.

Related Decisions from This Meeting

• ^[3] — YouTube embed approach, SiteCast discontinuation
• ^[4] — Upcoming vs. past events page structure, "Past Programs" page creation

Action Items from This Workflow Decision

• [ ] Melissa (AAG): Send page-by-page Word docs with proposed CTA links to Kathy & Tracey by EOD Nov 1
• [ ] Kathy (VCEDC): Rewrite all website copy in the provided Word documents
• [ ] Kathy (VCEDC): Provide Roger's professional photo
• [ ] Melissa (AAG): Implement all staging fixes noted in the table above