What is Content Marketing?
You've probably heard the terms content and content marketing while discussing digital marketing strategies or online marketing for your business. And, it's left you with a burning question, what is content marketing?
Content marketing is a strategic approach to marketing that focuses on first creating and then distributing relevant, valuable and consistent content to attract and keep a loyal following or user base and uncover new leads.
Content Marketing Strategy for Business
Content marketing for business is an essential investment in today's busy and ever-changing digital marketing landscape. Although some may be sceptical about the value and benefits of a content marketing strategy for business, it's important to remember that the advantages and rewards of a content marketing strategy are rather long-term and not immediate.
Now that you have a content marketing definition, we're going to break down the types of content your business can use, as well as the benefits of content marketing.
Types of content marketing for businesses
What are the types of content marketing businesses can use for marketing? Here's a list of ways to reach potential leads and new customers through different types of content:
- Blogs
- Resource guides
- Content hubs
- FAQ pages
- Webinars
- Podcasts
- Video content
Benefits of a content marketing strategy for business
1) More on-site content
The more time and effort you invest in your content marketing strategy for your business, the more content you'll have on your website, meaning there is more for your customers, leads and website visitors to engage with and use.
More content on your website helps give your customers a reason to spend more time on your pages, and it allows them to become familiar with your brand and your business's values and offerings.
With a better understanding of your business and your offering, trust between your customers and your business increases, leading to higher conversion rates and increased brand loyalty.
2) Increased visibility in search engines
Every new piece of content you create, whether a blog post or an addition to your FAQ, is another page that Google can and will index.
Unfortunately, more web pages don't automatically mean increased search traffic. Despite what some may think, content marketing is about quality. With higher quality content for Google to index, your business gains the opportunity to rank higher in more search queries or gain a higher ranking in Search Engine Results Pages (SERPs).
3) Higher domain authority
Through high-quality content and inbound links from external sources, your business can increase your website's domain authority. Content marketing for businesses also boosts brand authority, perceived expertise and relevance online.
4) More referral traffic
When your business contributes to external publications as a guest or expert, it provides your business with an opportunity to link back to your website.
However, this type of content marketing strategy relies on a commitment to planning and seeking out guest publishing opportunities within your content strategy.
5) Increased conversion potential
The primary objectives of content are to encourage engagement, inform, help, and add value for your readers.
However, once your content marketing strategy accomplishes this, your business can use any remaining opportunities to highlight your products or services for your target market. Your content marketing strategy can easily increase your conversions and sales when done tactfully and well.
6) Improved brand reputation
When people read or consume your content marketing materials, whether a blog, video or podcast, they form an impression and an opinion of your brand.
If your business provides helpful, informative, or enlightening content, it'll help improve your brand's reputation and how your customers view your business and brand as a whole.
7) Closer customer and reader relationships
A great brand reputation and the use of high-quality content marketing can help your business identify the size of your audience and generate brand recognition.
Plus, with closer relationships with your customers, your business can actively improve customer loyalty, repeat business, and even turn customers into brand advocates.
8) Decreased marketing costs and compounding value
Essentially, content marketing strategies only cost time, meaning content marketing is extremely cost-effective compared to other digital marketing activities, and it delivers compounding returns on investment.
The first few months of any content marketing strategy won't yield very much in terms of results. But, over the next few months, your content strategy and hard work will start seeing growth and progress.
9) Cultivate loyal brand fans
Last but not least, a content marketing strategy for business pushes brand awareness a step further.
Ultimately, the people who enjoy your content and associate great feelings or experiences with your brand are more likely to become active brand advocates even before purchasing your product or employing your services.
If you need more answers about content marketing, or what types of content marketing you can use, fileroom are here to help. Our team of experts will help your business succeed in today's ever-changing digital marketing landscape. We will work closely with you to develop and deploy engaging content marketing strategies for your business.
If you need help creating an effective and personalised content strategy for your business or would like to learn how historical data can improve your sales performance, marketing ROI and business revenue, speak to us. Contact fileroom today.