Nov. 16, 2023

041 Richie Cotton (DataCamp) on Creating Courses and Confidence

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In today's episode, Richie Cotton, who serves as a Data Evangelist at DataCamp, sits down with host Ethan Beute to discuss his strategic method for creating impactful content to drive top-of-funnel and customizing curriculum to achieve specific learning objectives.

Richie takes us through his career journey, transitioning from course creation to a more commercially focused position in the learning solutions team. He reflects on an unexpected yet welcomed shift to his current role as a data evangelist at DataCamp. Throughout the conversation, he emphasizes the crucial importance of data literacy.

Takeaways:

  • A data evangelist's key role is to boost confidence in using data, emphasizing that everyone has inherent skills. Beyond promoting products, the focus is on reducing fear (or even terror!) by guiding people to take simple steps to use data more effectively in their personal and professional lives.

     

  • Strategic preparation is key to effective content creation - whether course, podcast, book, or anything else. Consider the audience's background, current knowledge, and desired outcome.

     

  • Richie’s evolved from creating courses to a commercially focused role in the learning solutions team, which works closely with sales and customer success to guide business clients toward effective data training programs. His transition into the evangelist role was unexpected but embraced, highlighting the importance of demystifying the role of an evangelist by spreading awareness and understanding.

     

  • DataCamp’s four-person media team, of which he’s a member, is like a band of musicians. They’re closest to - but independent from - the marketing team and their metrics generally drive top of the funnel and start of the sales process. His personal KPIs are related to content creation and output.

     

Quote of the Show:

  • “It’s just empathy, really. You need to put yourself in the position of the people you’re speaking to and try to understand what they care about.”

     

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