Why Use Content Marketing?
People are continually learning new ways to ignore advertisements. According to these statistics 86% of people skip TV commercials, 91% of email users have unsubscribed from a company email they had opted into previously, and 84% of 25- to 34-year-old’s have clicked out of a website because of an obnoxious ad. This is where content marketing saves the day:
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Attracts customers: Quality content draws readers to your business.
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Connects with customers: Content allows customers to access what information they want when they want it.
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Builds your brand: By providing quality content you are furthering your reputation as a subject matter expert. Your customers will learn where to go for the best information in your industry.
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Communicates with customers: It allows your customers to get to know your company on a more personal level, and sparks conversations about relevant topics.
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Costs less: 62% less per lead than traditional marketing.
What is Content?
There is so much more to content now than a traditional blog or newsletter. There are many new and exciting ways to engage with your customers beyond the plain written word. Some of these include:
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Videos
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Infographics
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E-books
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Social Media
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White Papers
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Podcasts
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Vlogs
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and the list goes on
Don’t limit yourself to one form of content. Variety is the spice of life, and of business. Be creative and think of fun ways to make your business real and interesting through content. People are especially drawn in by visuals, so creating visually stimulating content is key to capturing your audience’s attention and then keeping them interested through quality information.
How do you Create Content?
Be creative. Your readers live in a fast paced world where there are lots of various messages competing for their limited attention. You have got to stand out and be interesting for yours readers, otherwise they won’t give your content a second glance.
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Have a standout title: without this no one will even bother to click on your content.
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Be real: your audience doesn’t want another annoying pop up ad, instead let them get to know your company’s values and voice.
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Pick a focus/niche: Don’t try to cover every topic, instead focus on what you know.
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Audience: Know who you are writing for and talk to them. Not only in the content itself, but also keep the conversation going after you’ve written the post in the comments section. This allows you to be more personal and get to know your readers, and will give you great ideas for future posts.
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Relevance: Keep your content updated, fresh, and relevant to your readers. The internet moves fast, and so do topics, so keep up with what is current and interesting to your audience.
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Call for Action: Remember your conclusion is never the end. Tell your readers what they need to do next. This will engage them with your product and your website.
Customers want to know you are not just trying to cram another advertisement down their throat. Instead creating useful content allows them to know that you are an expert in your field, and have a willingness to share useful information with them. It builds personal relationships with your customers in a way advertisements never will.