How to Take Your Content Marketing Efforts to the Next Level
Content is still the foundation of a successful business. It will probably never really change. After all, content is communication. It’s how you connect with your audience, inform them, market to them and sell your products or services. Content is even a part of your customer service system. The following tips will help you take your business content marketing efforts to the next level.
Integration is the Name of The Game – In the past, content marketing efforts at most companies have been essentially, though often unintentionally, segmented. Email messages went out to the email list, posts were published on the blog, and social media posts were created and published. However, competition has become fiercer on social media.
Instead of being able to capture audience attention with a single occasional post, you have to provide not only exceptional content but a full customer experience. That means integrating your content efforts. Devise strategies and goals that support cross-marketing your content. Your audience should be able to connect with you on a variety of channels and still receive the same quality experience.
Broaden Your Formats – Visual content continues to be on the rise. It’s shared more, interacted with on a more consistent and frequent level, and it often has a stronger impact. If you’ve stuck to print content so far, then it’s time to broaden your horizons. Look into video, infographics, slideshows and creating branded images. Make visual content part of your content marketing strategy. Use it on social media, in your email marketing, and in your press releases too.
Density Matters – With limited time and attention spans, people want their content to be dense. That means that whatever you publish, it has to be packed with information and value. Imagine reading a 1,500 word blog post on your smart phone. If that post changes your life, it’s time well spent. However, if that post really only offers one or two nuggets of mediocre information, you’re not likely to spend time reading anything from that author or company again. Make sure that your content has a specific goal and that you take your audience’s time into consideration when you publish something. It must offer value.
Leverage Technology – There are a number of ways that you can take your content marketing efforts to the next level by using technology. Autoresponders and publication scheduling tools have been around for a while. Use them. Also remember that you have access to an abundance of analytics. You can install analytics for your blog, for your autoresponder, and your social media activities. And if you choose a good press release distribution service you can get vital information from their reporting and analytics too. There are also content management tools that help you plan and organize your content for a week, a month, or even for an entire year. The easier it is to plan and track data, the stronger your content marketing efforts will be.
Let’s not forget that content is part of every aspect of your business. Each communication that you have with your audience is considered content, and either enhances your connection or detracts from it. Take a look at your content marketing components. Explore how your social media, SEO, email, and your press and publicity can work together to help grow your business.
