If you’ve been laboring under the delusion that content marketing is “just blogging,” allow us to knock your collective socks off.
It’s not. At all.
For all intents and purposes, content is anything you create to educate, entertain and/or engage with your audience. And while all blog posts are content, not all content is a blog post.
Videos. Infographics. White papers, emails, social media posts, photos, memes, case studies, webinars, audio, eBooks, newsletters – we could go on, but you get the gist.
Seventy-seven percent of marketers use some form of content marketing in their overall strategy. Why? Because it works. Here are just a handful of ways it can help your small business.
Content Marketing Gets You More Traffic
If your website only sells playing cards, chances are that the only people who visit your site are those who are in the market for playing cards.
But if your website sells playing cards and has an engaging blog about poker, tutorials on how to play 75 popular card games and a viral video about the world’s largest house of cards, you’ve captured plenty more traffic.
Will they all buy playing cards? Nope. But that’s OK. Because although might may have stumbled upon your site while looking for the rules to Old Maid, the next time they do need playing cards, odds are they’ll remember you.
It Proves Authority and Credibility
Customers want to buy from businesses that know their stuff — and content marketing is the perfect way to prove that you are that knowledgeable business.
From how-to blogs to video tutorials to the industry-specific articles you share on social media, the content you create builds authority and credibility, showing (not telling) your audience that you’re an expert they can trust.
It Builds Brand Awareness
It’s not a secret: People are more likely to buy from brands they know and recognize. And the more you put yourself out there, the more recognizable your brand will become.
The cool thing about content marketing is that it’s only partially about making a sale. Your future customers don’t need to be ready to buy from the first touchpoint; you’re just planting the seed and watering it so the fruit will be ripe when they’re ready to pluck it.
It Stands the Test of Time
Unless you’re in a rapidly changing industry, most of the content that you’ll create will be “evergreen,” meaning that it will still be relevant (and driving traffic) long after it’s been published.
Out of ideas and need to fill a slot on your editorial calendar? Dig back into your archives and repost one of your popular pieces. You can even repurpose it into an entirely new piece of content!
It Keeps People on Your Site Longer
We’ve all fallen down a rabbit hole on the internet a time or two. One minute, we’re searching for quick way to get rid of the ants in the kitchen; the next, we’re engrossed in a blog post titled 1,001 Amazing Facts About Insects.
It’s simple math: The more content you have on your site, the longer people will stick around to consume it. And the longer people stick around on your site, the more chances you have to make them a full-fledged customer!
Content Marketing Is a Game-Changer for Small Businesses!
Content marketing is far more than “just” blogging. It’s a way to find new customers, retain existing ones and build your brand from the ground up. Experiment with different kinds of content, expand on what works and improve on what doesn’t. You won’t be disappointed!
Are your creative juices drying up? Let Mischa Communications handle your content marketing concerns. We’re ready when you are!