10 Content Marketing Tips That Work

Determine Business Goals

American poet, writer, and historian, Bill Copeland, said, "The trouble with not having a goal is that you can spend your life running up and down the field and never score." The same is true of content marketing. You should have a goal for every piece of content you create, or you'll end up running around posting content without achieving whatever it is that you're trying to accomplish.

Your end goal will almost always be to generate revenue, but often, there are steps you need to take before you can accomplish that goal. An old marketing principle called "The Rule of 7" states that, on average, it takes seven touches or exposures to your marketing message before a prospect will make a purchase. Content marketing can help you achieve those seven touches.

Here are five examples of content marketing goals:

1. Generate Leads
2. Engage Users
3. Build trust
4. Improve SEO
5. Encourage Repeat Business

Focus on User Experience

Users will quickly abandon your website if it loads slowly, is hard to navigate, or isn't optimized for mobile, so make sure there is a good user experience when someone comes to your website. Also, make the content easy to consume by using an easy-to-read font, including headings, and using bullet points and visuals where appropriate.

Otherwise, regardless of how compelling or well-written your content is, no one will ever read it.

Know Your Target Audience

Content marketing can help you attract your target audience – people interested in purchasing your product or service. First, however, you need to know who your target audience is, where they spend their time, what their problems are, etc. Then you can create content that speaks to them specifically. 

Solve Your Readers' Problems

Use content to solve your readers' problems by answering questions and offering valuable resources or tips. This will demonstrate your expertise, help them get to know your business and what it can do for them, and build trust.

Understand Your Buyers' Journey

You need to understand your buyers' journey (also referred to as a sales funnel) and then create content for every stage in that journey – from grabbing strangers' attention to compelling customers to make repeat purchases. Content marketing can help take your buyers through that journey. 

Personalize User Experience

One advantage of digital marketing is the ability to personalize your users' experience. According to one study, 91 percent of consumers are more likely to shop with businesses that provide relevant offers and recommendations." Forbes offers ten great examples of personalized marketing strategies.

Use Statistics

We use many statistics on this blog, including this post, because it helps strengthen our point, shows that we did our research, and builds trust. When using statistics, use a reliable source, cite your source, and use the most recent statistics you can find. 

Vary Formats

While written content is a great way to convey a lot of information, you can use many other formats – images, videos, infographics, etc. The advantage of mixing up formats is that it can save you time and appeal to a broader audience.

People today love videos. According to Statista, there were 239 million U.S. Digital video viewers in 2020, and that number is expected to continue to increase.

Be Consistent Across Platforms

What do you think of when you see a red and white bullseye or "the" golden arches? Probably Target and McDonald's. These companies have spent billions of dollars to make sure consumers recognize their brand with just a logo. It's called branding.

Small businesses don't typically have billions of dollars. Still, there are ways you can brand your business – use the same colors and fonts, the same tone of voice, the same messaging across all platforms – social media, website, email marketing, etc., and people will begin to recognize your brand.

Track Performance

Being able to see what prospects and customers are doing with your content is one of the greatest advantages of digital marketing, including content marketing. What posts are and aren't getting attention? What subject lines are getting your emails opened? Use this information to make better decisions and adjust your strategy as needed. 

The Easy Way to Ramp Up Your Content Marketing

Content marketing can be highly effective, but it does take time. If that's something you don't have, Power Marketing International can help. PMI can develop quality content for your business and post and connect it to an online marketing ecosystem that cross-links your website, social media, and other digital assets. So, give us a call at 484-297-6395, or contact us online.