I’m sure by now you’ve heard that “content is king.” In fact, it’s said so often that it’s become cliché. But the reason people are talking about it is because it’s true. Right now, content is a big deal in the world of marketing.
Let’s break it down.
What is Content Marketing?
Content marketing is a way that companies can communicate with and educate the public. It’s not meant to focus solely on products; instead, it’s intended to be compelling content that can provide value to your clients and potential clients. The idea is that they read your content and want to know more about you and your business. They start reading what you are writing, following you on social media, watching your videos, etc. Through that process they begin to know, like and trust you and eventually will buy from you.
What is Considered “Content?”
Any kind of valuable information that you put into the world is considered content marketing. It can come in any of these forms:
- Social media posts
- Blog articles
- Email blasts
- E-books
- Lead magnets
- Videos
- A book
- And more….
Why Should You Spend Time on Content Marketing?
There’s no doubt that creating content is a time-consuming process, however, it can potentially reap big rewards. There are many reasons that make this endeavor worthwhile. Here’s a few of the big ones:
- SEO – Google Rewards Companies that Add Fresh Content to Their Website
If done consistently, you will likely move up in search results. In addition, when people search for a topic that you have on your site, the search engines can pull that article from your site and serve it to them. That gets more people to your site.
- Develop Relationships with Clients & Potential Clients
If people like your content they will want to follow you to learn more. This lets you develop a relationship with them so they can get to know you, which leads to trust. So, the next time they need your product or service, they know who to turn to.
Your competitors don’t stand a chance!
- Create a Connection with People
This is taking the relationships one step deeper. It’s about creating real connections with people. When you develop a deep connection, people identify with you on another level. Maybe you talk about divorce or weight loss and how you struggled with these issues. This attracts people with the same struggle. Real connections create real engagement. This is when people start talking to you on social media, sending you emails and engaging with you on Messenger. People who engage at this level are ready to buy from you!
- Establish Yourself as an Expert
Content marketing allows you to position yourself as an expert in your field. By sharing your knowledge, it establishes you as a leader in your industry. People want to work with experts so this is a great way to show them how you can help them.
Next week I’ll share some ideas about how to quickly create content and how you can measure ROI for content marketing.
Until then, have a great week!
About the Author: Meg Huwar is a small business marketing expert and Principal of Brand Accelerator. She and her team work with companies who want to market their business but don’t have the time, experience or staff to do it themselves. Meg can be reached at mhuwar@thebrandaccelerator.com or 412-848-8822.