In January 2019, Statista reported that the global digital population, which represents active internet users, exceeded 4 billion people. With such a massive worldwide market, businesses have had to completely revamp the way they market themselves in order to appeal to shifting customer demands. In fact, the most successful online retailers have realized that the key to attracting and retaining loyal customers is creating ads that people actually want to see.
EFFECTIVENESS OF CONTENT MARKETING
Wherever someone goes online, they’re constantly bombarded with annoying ads like pop-ups, auto-play videos, and banner ads, just to name a few. These advertising methods have become so ineffective that most customers only click on them by accident. To genuinely interest buyers, 86% of B2C marketers rely on content marketing strategies. When done correctly, content marketing can:
- Increase online traffic.
- Improve SEO.
- Build customer loyalty and trust
- Boost conversions.
- Encourage audience engagement.
- Showcase your products and ideas.
TYPES OF CONTENT MARKETING
Savvy business leaders strive to create content that customers will learn from, enjoy, and even share with their friends. For instance, consider the lengths that companies go through to create memorable ads for the Superbowl. Millions of people look forward to seeing these ads, and many even re-watch them on YouTube or share them on their Facebook pages.
Even if your company doesn’t have millions of dollars on hand for a TV ad, you can employ similar techniques to promote your business. Content marketing is all about providing valuable information and entertainment to your audience, and it can be conveyed through a variety of methods, including:
- Videos. Creating a video to showcase your products or explain a concept to your audience can be an excellent way to increase your online visibility. You can share videos on your social media accounts and website, or you may consider doing a livestream to answer customer questions directly.
- Blogs. Blogging is one of the best ways to improve your website’s SEO and is a highly popular strategy for all types of businesses. You can get some ideas for a blog by doing some keyword research to see what your target buyers are looking for.
- Infographics. An eye-catching image, combined with clear data and reliable sources, can convey information and improve customer trust within seconds.
- Social media posts. According to Twitter, 66% of users have discovered a new business through their platform, and 94% of users plan to purchase from a brand that they follow. Stay active on your company’s social media accounts to answer questions, share photos, engage with your audience, and learn what consumers want from your products.
LEADERS OF CONTENT MARKETING
Still not quite sure where to start with content marketing? Check out these outstanding entrepreneurs for some ideas and insights:
- Neil Patel. Before he was even 30 years old, Patel was recognized by President Obama as a top 100 entrepreneur. Patel is a New York Times bestselling author and has been recognized by The Wall Street Journal, Entrepreneur magazine, and Forbes for his unbeatable content marketing strategies. His website attracts millions of visitors due to his frequently updated blog, which offers excellent advice specifically for his target audience, and he includes links to all his social media pages right on his home page.
- Seth Godin. Godin is constantly coming up with new ideas for content marketing, which could explain why his blog is viewed bynover 1 million readers. Along with his immensely popular blog, Godin has written 18 worldwide bestselling books, created over 30 podcast episodes, posted multiple YouTube videos, and has written several ebooks and other long-form articles. If you need new ideas for content, you’re guaranteed to find plenty of inspiration from Godin!
- Russell Brunson. Brunson once earned 1.5 million leads in the span of just 6 weeks, making him nothing short of a marketing genius. Brunson’s incredible success only grew from there; 3 years after launching his own software company, it was worth over $100 million and served over 55,000 customers. He now inspires other entrepreneurs by sharing his marketing strategies in several bestselling books, a podcast, and by speaking at a variety of events.
READY TO GET STARTED?
To begin improving your site’s SEO and boosting your conversion rates today, the first thing you should do is start a blog. Creating unique articles specifically for your target market will drive customers to you by providing them with valuable information and entertainment. And if writing isn’t your strong suit, no worries! Check out how a content writing service can help you save time while extending your company’s online reach.
Lastly, feel free to show your personality and creativity through your content. Content marketing proves that you don’t need to know everything about advertising to appeal to buyers; simply share your passions, engage with customers, and watch your business begin to flourish.
