Content marketing is creating information that your potential customers will find value in, with the intention of promoting a product or service. Content marketers know who their targeted buyer is, and who they are writing for. Content, whether it is text, video, photo, audio, or other, can be used to educate, inform or entertain prospective buyers. Although it is frequently thought to be social media or blog posts on your website, content marketing is NOT online content only. The term “content marketing” is relatively new, but it has been around for a very long time.
How is Content Marketing different from Social Media?
Sometimes the content you create may be just for social media – for instance an eye-catching photo on Instagram or even a quick tip on Facebook. Other times, you may use social media to distribute your content. For instance, you may use Twitter or LinkedIn to promote your latest blog post or video. Content marketing goes hand-and-hand with social media and your connections, because the content you create also needs to be distributed to your prospective audience to be consumed and shared.
Examples of Content Marketing:
- Case Studies
- Podcasts
- Blog posts or websites
- Infographics
- Videos
- Newsletters
- Magazines or books (Printed or Digital)
- Social Media Posts
- the list goes on…
Content marketing helps you earn trust today
so you can ask for the sale tomorrow. [Tweet this!]
To be successful at content marketing:
- Start with clearly defined goals and a strategy
- Try to be consistent – for many, weekly is best
- Create a content marketing editorial calendar
- Find the right medium(s) for your voice and content
- Use social media to help distribute your content
- Use content marketing to tell stories that educate, inform, or entertain
- Remember, content marketing is marketing – have a clear call to action
- Network and connect with your audience
Content marketing makes you the publisher for your brand.
- What success stories about your products and services can you tell?
- How can you show people new ways to use your products?
- What information related to your products or industry are your prospective customers looking for?
