From PDF's to Personalization: Higher Ed's Content Shift with WIll Noble

In this episode of EdTech Connect, host Jeff Dillon sits down with Will Noble, an expert in digital content solutions and SaaS sales, to explore the challenges and opportunities in higher education content creation. Will shares his journey from information retrieval to content creation, discussing why universities still rely on outdated formats like PDFs and how Foleon provides a modern alternative with interactive HTML5 content. They dive into bottlenecks in content approval processes, the role of AI in content strategy, and how institutions can optimize search and data-driven decision-making. Whether you're a CMO, CIO, or digital strategist in higher ed, this episode offers actionable insights on improving content workflows, personalization, and measuring engagement effectively. Key Takeaways The Problem with PDFs – Universities default to PDFs due to legacy habits, but they create accessibility and engagement challenges. Content Approval Bottlenecks – Overly strict workflows lead to decentralized workarounds (e.g., rogue PDFs). Folion’s Solution – A platform for decentralized creation + centralized governance, replacing PDFs with interactive, responsive HTML5 content. AI’s Role in Content – Useful for translations, alt-text generation, and transforming legacy PDFs—but risks "AI slop" if not strategically managed. Search & Discoverability – Semantic structure, subdomains, and PR backlinks now impact rankings in LLM-driven search. Measuring Success – Focus on engagement time (2–3 mins/page), heatmaps, and contextual CTAs rather than vanity metrics. Lessons from Corporate – Empower internal creators (faculty, students) with tools to amplify authentic voices. Chapter Headings with Time Stamps Introduction & Will’s Background (00:00) Content Approval Bottlenecks (04:36) Folion’s Solution to Content Control (07:01) Scaling Content with Limited Resources (10:48) Ideal Tech Stack for Content (12:33) AI in Content Strategy (16:29) Search & Data-Driven Insights (20:40) Lessons from Corporate for Higher Ed (24:33) Final Advice for CMOs &am...

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** Reached #4 on Apple Podcast Education Category ** The EdTech Connect Podcast is the leading podcast for higher education professionals who want learn about the most innovative people and tech shaping the future of Higher Education Join host Jeff Dillon as he explores emerging trends, pioneering developments, and real-world applications of technology in academia. Each episode features interviews with leading experts, educators, technologists and solution providers, who share their insights on how technology can be used to improve student engagement, enhance learning outcomes, and transform the educational experience. Whether you're a marketer, faculty, IT Leader, enrollment director, or anyone interested in the future of higher education, the EdTech Connect Podcast is your source for the knowledge and inspiration you need to harness the power of technology and drive innovation on your campus. Listeners of the EdTech Connect Podcast will learn about the latest trends, best practices, and challenges in the rapidly evolving field of educational technology. Learn more at https://edtechconnect.com.