The Calque Story
Calque? Good question.
A calque is a phrase translated word for word from another language. A perfect example is “point of view,” a calque of the French “point de vue.”
It’s not just that words matter. It’s that hearing and using your customers’ words—and their point of view—matter most.
That’s why we started Calque Marketing: to put your audience’s words and wants on center stage with marketing programs and content that resonate.
Our work and words get results. But more than that, we guide your team to succeed over the long haul.
Want to know more? Read on or drop us a line.
Content Strategy & Marketing
With Calque Marketing, you can trust a single, reliable source to:
- create a content strategy that differentiates you and rings true to your ideal customer
- establish content programs and processes that align with your goals
- shift your org to steady, high-quality publishing rhythm
- deliver content that educates and delights your audience, and lives up to your brand promise
- coach your team to produce top-notch content, whether it’s created in-house, by freelancers, or in a hybrid model
You’ll gain a content practice focused on results—and a team fully capable of achieving them.
Of course, if you want ongoing content creation and optimization support, we’re happy to take that on.
And if you’re searching for a partner to refine or establish your positioning and messaging, we’ll tackle that too.
Copywriting
Convert readers into leads, leads into opportunities, and opportunities into business.
Let us craft the offers and messages that prompt meaningful action.
We know the art of aligning copywriting to your content strategy. And when it’s time to pivot from education to persuasion.
From landing pages and nurture sequences to full websites, we craft clear, compelling copy that moves prospects along the funnel or the flywheel.
Web
Content makes your website worth visiting. But bad design and slipshod information architecture (IA) frustrate users.
That renders your great content unclear—and undiscovered.
Let’s make sure your site showcases your content, meets users’ needs, and reflects your marketing strategy.
Calque’s web services range from conducting site audits, to planning front-end enhancements, and all the way through drafting long-term road maps.
Our founder has personally led website launches, content, and redesigns for $2.9B enterprises, early-stage start-ups, and everything in between.
After just one meeting with Jesse, I knew I had found a great Content Strategist to meet the business needs. From customer research to message testing, and all the way through execution and optimization, Jesse took our content strategy and quality to a whole new level. I would recommend him to any business in need of an effective and collaborative Content Strategist to grow their business.
Jesse was the only person I trusted with copywriting for project44's redesigned site. His content absolutely nailed our audience and our needs! Demo requests have increased 93%, and our site bounce rate has decreased by over 45%. He's the strategic partner you've been looking for who never loses sight of the details or the big picture.
I could not have picked a more excellent partner than Jesse at Calque for our website audit and roadmap project. He dug in to really understand internal and external stakeholders and their needs, along with company goals and how they could tie to digital. He clearly outlined his findings and recommendations, and he helped us select the best full-service digital agency for a website redesign. Jesse asks great questions and holds himself and others to a high standard.
When a new client wanted a full evaluation of their marketing org and operations, Jesse at Calque Marketing was the first person I called. His depth of digital marketing knowledge and strategic sense is unparalleled. The client is now on track to restructure and optimize their digital and content marketing programs. I plan to partner with Jesse for many years to come!
About Our Founder: Jesse Butts
I see it every day. CMOs have to choose between:
- great strategists who can’t build out the programs or mentor the team members who carry out the mission, and
- remarkable writers whose content shines but isn’t tied to the message or the plan
You don’t have to sacrifice creativity for strategy—or vice versa—any longer.
I founded Calque to help B2B marketing leaders level up their content, digital, and marcom game and teams.
For 13 years, I worked in and led these functions full time. I know the constraints and strengths of enterprise companies and start-ups because I’ve been in both.
When I’m not running Calque Marketing, I’m spending time with my wife, my books, and my nerdy hobbies in our 1920s Chicago bungalow.
Check out JesseButts.com for the full story. You can hear my thoughts on where to start with content on the Do Less Bad podcast.