Having relevant and interesting content continues to be a driving marketing strategy. However, the methods that individuals use to provide such content to their audience changes every year. Businesses can help increase their likelihood of having an on-target campaign by understanding the changing times and developing a strategy that takes these changes into account.
Large businesses continue to be leaders in this field, capitalizing on valuable content and the new audience that forms as a result. However, smaller businesses can still utilize content marketing that is on a scale appropriate to their business and budget.
Below are a few tips to help you get started on track. Incorporate all or some of these strategies to make your own effective marketing content campaign.
Put Money in Visuals
Everywhere around you are images that influence you. More opportunities are available for business owners to share their wealth of knowledge with their audiences through the use of videos, web graphics and infographics. Statistics show that in 94 percent of cases, content with visuals get more page views than just text. Include important images in your blog posts, social media posts and articles you release.
Be More Social
Take time to focus on one or a few social media channels. LinkedIn, Facebook and Twitter have historically high rates of audience engagement for businesses. However, newer platforms such as Google+ and Slideshare may help companies who are branching out. Social profiles should be used to help establish personal engagement with customers. Additionally, each social media channel should be treated differently and supplied with content that embraces the audience more.
Avoid using posts or other connections that are only promotional in nature as this can turn off potential customers. Instead, show that you are a respected person in the industry by including engaging and interesting topics in your social media shares. To get the biggest bang for your buck and time, find fresh ways to repurpose some of your old, but good, content. For example, use an old blog post as a jumping off point for a new series of articles. Take tips from one article and plant them in shorter posts.
Be Focused
If you do not want your marketing plan to look like everyone else’s in the industry, target a niche group. This may be accomplished by linking up with other companies in the industry or using very specific keywords.
Test It
To determine whether these or other methods are working, test it. Special software is available to help business owners and marketing professionals provide a customized marketing strategy. As you get results, document the information and use it to make your content more successful.