Does your business use content? Of course it does! In fact, content is one of the most important aspects of your business. Therefore, content should not be an afterthought. If you don’t have content on your website, your promotional items, your blog, or social media, what do you have? Not much left, right? Content drives people to your business. It is the fuel for success. So why not put to use your content for marketing? Content marketing is a strategy that offers value, which intends to reach, engage and convert customers.
Does your company use content marketing as a marketing strategy? If not, here are 5 reasons why you need to consider content marketing for your business.
1. Improve SEO/Online Ranking
It seems that almost everyone follows the technical rules of SEO today. Now more companies are using content marketing to improve their search optimization. SEO and content marketing really go hand in hand. They feed off each other. In order to stand out from your competition, you must create quality content that is unique and innovative. While the output of your content plays a role, the main focus should be on the quality you produce. The reason is because Google looks for new content that offers useful information to audiences in a compelling approach.
Think about the headlines that make you click on a link. Google wants headlines that are descriptive and appealing. What makes your headlines alluring? Would you share this content with your friends? Don’t sell your content short by failing to create a good attention-grabbing headline.
In order to improve your SEO, you must be consistent with your content marketing. You need to consider planning a schedule for your content. Will you blog daily, weekly, or monthly? Think about the different forms of content you will publish for your audience and then create a plan. Most importantly, content marketing requires a commitment in order to be successful. Additionally, for those blogging, it is suggested that you focus your content on one targeted keyword. This keyword should be used in your first sentence of your blog.
2. Higher Audience Reach
Content marketing allows you to reach different audiences, which can bring in new customers for your business. The content you publish will increase these chances that prospective customers will find you and thus drive your leads. For example, if you post something on Facebook such as a picture with a quote or a viral video, it could potentially reach those who may never otherwise searched your brand. Content marketing can open new doors. You never know who is listening.
Source: freeimages.com
3. Build your Reputation & Brand
Content marketing represents a kind of word-of-mouth marketing. This is where you can show off your brand and expertise. You have the opportunity to build authority for your field. You spread your knowledge by doing things such as blogging, podcasts/webinars, infographics, eBooks, presentations, videos and photographs. Content marketing allows you to explain what your business is about and what you can offer customers. It can answer questions like, how do you differ from your competition? Why should customers come to you?
Source: Stuart Miles
4. Personalized Marketing
Content marketing is not your traditional marketing. Traditional marketing uses advertisements aimed to sell. When was the last time you remembered an advertisement banner? Probably never. With content marketing, the content you create is targeted for your audience and their interests or needs. People want to feel as though you are speaking directly to them and how you can solve their problem.
Content marketing can tell a story. People enjoy storytelling because it conveys emotion, which is often relatable. Stories make others want to share and engage. Content marketing is a strategy that can be personalized and catered to a target audience. Therefore, you must learn who your target audience is before using content marketing. As you begin to connect with others and build relationships, you gain their trust. Trust is what sells.
Source: freedigitalphotos.net by stockimage
5. Customer Service Fosters Brand Loyalty
Content marketing takes customer service to the next level. Once you build relationships with your customers they will eventually turn into loyal customers. Why is this? Loyal customers trust that you have their best interest. They also know the quality of the product which makes them continue to do business with you. But more importantly, they know who you are and what you stand for. They’ve worked with you personally to know your standards. These loyal customers can also help spread the word about your brand. They offer the best kind of promotion because they are true advocates in your brand.
Source: Jeanne Claire Maarbes
Content marketing is a strategy that provides long-term engagement with customers. It can also help increase your search engine optimization, build a reputation for your brand, offer personalized marketing, and create brand loyalty. Will you begin a content marketing strategy?
For those of you that already have a strategy in place, what got you started using content marketing?
