There are many different forms of marketing out there, most of which can benefit most businesses. But in the digital age, few forms of marketing are as beneficial as content marketing.
Wondering why content marketing is important for businesses? Then read on. We’re going to tell you below.
What Is Content Marketing?
First, let’s discuss the definition of content marketing. Content marketing is a form of marketing wherein you create and publish content as a means of garnering attention for your business or organization.
Content marketing is facilitated via a number of digital avenues, including websites, social media platforms, and email. It can include not only written content but video and image content as well.
An example of content marketing would be a blog post that you share on your Facebook account. You would publish this post to your website’s blog and then share a link to it on your Facebook wall. Other Facebook users would then click on it, read it, and, if you’re lucky, do business with you.
Types of Content in Content Marketing
There are many different types of content when it comes to content marketing. Some of the most common of these types include the following.
Blog Posts
We’ve already discussed blog posts, but let’s go further into detail on them, shall we? Let’s say, for example, that you run a plumbing business.
If so, you would use your blog to publish posts on things like plumbing repair and plumbing installation. This would enable you to showcase your knowledge of the subjects, thus indicating to readers that your business would be a solid choice for plumbing services.
The key is to leave a call to action at the end of every blog post. This way, readers can quickly contact you and discuss their needs.
Videos
Videos are highly attractive devices for content marketing. Most online users would rather watch something than they would read something, and videos facilitate that desire.
Ideally, your videos will include a person talking about a subject of interest. It will convey important information about the subject and help the viewer to see your business as an authority in its industry.
Memes
Memes are beyond popular right now. Humorous memes, in particular, tend to attract attention. As such, they’re terrific devices for content marketers.
Try to use popular meme images to relate something about your business. If you can make something funny, you’ll achieve two things: 1. you’ll attract new attention, and 2. you’ll make your business more likeable.
Podcasts
Another form of content marketing is podcasts. Podcasts are essentially pre-recorded radio shows. They allow you to talk at length about your subject of choice and put you in a position to pick up new fans over time.
You can make a podcast about anything. So, consider making one centered around your industry and see if you can attract any attention. Share links to it on your social media accounts to get your first listeners.
Case Studies
Case studies are written documents that describe a way in which one of your products or services helped a customer. They’re extremely specific and are centered on a single customer, in particular. Not only do they help to humanize your business but they also provide social proof that your business is worth patronizing.
The Benefits of Content Marketing
Wondering about the specific benefits of content marketing? They generally include the following.
Allow Your Business to Demonstrate Authority in Your Industry
As a business, you want to show that you’re an authority in your industry. You want to show that you know what you’re talking about and that you know how to provide a good product or service.
Content marketing facilitates this, as it enables you to demonstrate your knowledge and expertise to potential customers. A helpful blog post or video will give your business credibility and then lead viewers to you.
Helps With SEO
In the digital marketing world, there is a form of marketing known as SEO or Search Engine Optimization. The point of this form of marketing is to get noticed on search engines like Google. To do so, you must get your website to rank toward the top of search pages for specific keywords.
And how do you rank high for those keywords? Content marketing is a big part of the equation. By putting relevant keywords into your blog posts on your website, you show Google that your website has a relation to those keywords. Over time, this helps your website build credibility with Google, thus leading to a better search engine ranking.
Puts Your Business in a Position to Go Viral
Going viral on social media can work wonders for your business’s traffic. But you’re probably not going to do it with mundane status updates. You’re going to have to turn to content marketing.
A unique video or super-informative infographic could give you the attention you need. If you’re lucky, viewers of your content will share it, which will give it the potential to spread and come into contact with other viewers. This can result in massive traffic to your website, which can, in turn, result in increased sales.
Interested in pursuing a viral content campaign? View here now!
Humanizes Your Business
Consumers are more apt to purchase something from another person than they are to purchase it from a faceless entity. This is where content marketing can help.
By engaging in content marketing, you help to humanize your business. You inject it with a bit of personality and make it more likable to potential customers. And with any luck, those potential customers will turn into actual customers.
Content Marketing Is a Must
Some forms of marketing you can throw to the side. But when it comes to content marketing, it’s an absolute must. So, make sure to put in the time and effort; rewards await you.
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