10 weird content types your audience loves to read from business owners like you.
Celine Horan ALS, ACS
Investor ? Exit Strategist ? Marketing Consultant ? Direct Response Copywriter ? Create Actionable Strategies for Successful Campaigns, Promotions, Audience Engagement and Financial Storytelling
It wasn't that long ago that a mouse meant an actual mouse, not the one we use with our laptops. And before Youtube, the only videos I remember watching were the ones we recorded on a VHS!
It was cool owning a VHS back then. I wouldn't admit to owning one now; how things have changed! Everything is on-demand now.
So too, with content. It wasn't that long ago that hard-selling and long-form copy was the thing. Now, content marketing is a must to boost brand visibility and build relationships with our audience. As the market grows savvier and our target audience has a voice. We've learned to tread more carefully and not tell our reader what she wants, but actually ask her.
How she consumes our content forces us to mature and give her our content the way she wants to receive it on the platform, she prefers to receive that content.
Not long ago, if you told me about blogging, I would have thought blogging bonkers and weird. And yet here we are, creating content in ways that sounded weird to us back in the day.
So... let's look at ten weird content types our audience loves to receive from savvy business owners just like you.
But first, let's answer the question...
What content types do readers want to see now?
It's no secret that readers' tastes in content change over time. What was popular a few years ago might not be so popular now, and vice versa. So how can you keep up with the changes and make sure you're providing the content your audience really wants to see?
You could take a look at what other business owners in your industry are doing. See what content types they're producing and see how well it's being received. If you can, try to get a sense of why certain types of content are more popular than others.
Another way is to simply ask your audience what they want to see. This can be done through surveys, social media, or even just casual conversation. If you're not sure what content will resonate with your audience, it never hurts to ask them directly.
Finally, it's important to keep an eye on trends in the larger world of media and entertainment. What sorts of content are people talking about? What do they seem to be enjoying? By understanding these larger trends, you can better predict what kinds of content your own audience will appreciate.
By keeping these things in mind, you can make sure you're always ahead of the curve when it comes to the content your audience wants to see.
How are readers consuming content?
There's no question that readers are consuming content differently than they used to. With the proliferation of digital devices and platforms, people now have more choices than ever before about how, when, and where they consume content.
This shift in reader behavior has had a profound impact on the publishing industry, forcing publishers to re-think everything from the types of content they produce to the way they distribute and market it.
So what does this new landscape look like? And how can business owners make sure they're meeting the needs of their readers?
Here's a quick overview of some of the key ways readers are consuming content today:
1. How-to guides and tutorials
How-to guides can address a particular customer problem—and solving problems is the reason companies exist in the first place. By addressing a problem directly, companies can gain insight into what their customers are looking for and help them find it.
But even if your company’s customer problems aren’t as clear cut as, say, the need for a product or service, there’s still plenty you can learn by observing how your readers behave and talk about their problems.
After all, people don’t buy products or services because they’re inherently good or bad. They buy products and services because they solve a problem or make things easier, or just because they look pretty.?
Tutorials are great for visual?learners. If you’re someone who learns better when you can see what you’re trying to accomplish laid out in front of you, then video tutorials are definitely for you. For pretty much anything?that can be demonstrated on screen, a video tutorial is going to give you a better understanding of how it works. It’s also a great way to show others what you’re doing. Tutorials are great for audio learners.
As I mentioned before, some people learn best by listening to something. For this reason, tutorials that use audio are usually a better choice than those that use visuals. Audio tutorials can help you learn more about something, as well as make sure you don’t miss any important information.?
2. Product reviews and comparisons
Product reviews are important because they help you to understand what the product is and how well it works. They’re also helpful for other people looking to make a purchase decision about your product. So, how do you get more reviews?
Here are some of our tips: Get reviews on your website. Most online retailers provide a review page on their website that allows customers to leave a review of their product.
3. Case studies and success stories
Consumers are a lot less susceptible to fancy sales pitches in this day and age, which is why the use of case studies can be?so valuable. The term “case study” is used to describe an example or illustration of a situation that may help to explain a point, idea, or concept.
In business, case studies can be used to demonstrate what’s working in your company, or what you’re doing that makes it different from competitors.
They can also be used to show what could happen if you were to implement certain strategies or ideas.
4. Industry news and trends
Your reader wants to stay up to date on the latest industry news and trends. They want to know what's new, what's hot, and what's happening in their field.
You can give them this information by writing about the latest industry news and trends. Share what you've been seeing and hearing in your own research. Tell your readers about the latest developments in your field, and how these changes will affect them.
Be sure to keep your article current, so that your readers can always trust you to give them the most up-to-date information.
5. Expert opinions and interviews
When it comes to the content that readers want to see, nothing is more valuable than expert opinions and interviews. These provide readers with insights and perspectives that they can't get anywhere else.
One of the best ways to get an expert opinion is to interview someone who is an expert in the field. You can do this in person, over the phone, or via email. If you can interview someone who is knowledgeable and articulate, take advantage of it! Your readers will appreciate the chance to hear from someone who knows what they're talking about.
Another great way to get expert opinions is to solicit them from people who are active in online communities related to your topic. There are many forums and discussion groups where experts congregate and discuss various topics. These are great places to find insights and perspectives that you might not be able to find anywhere else.
Finally, don't forget about the experts who are already within your organization. If you have access to people who are knowledgeable about your topic, ask them for their thoughts! You may be surprised at how insightful they can be.
6. Tips, tricks, and hacks
Here are some fun tips, tricks, and hacks to get the most out of your content:
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1. Repurpose old content. If you have an article that's been gathering dust in your files, consider giving it a new lease of life by reworking it into a different format. For example, you could turn a blog post into a video or podcast episode.
2. Leverage user-generated content. Encourage your readers to submit their own stories, photos, or videos related to your topic. This is a great way to add fresh perspectives and keep your audience engaged.
3. Create How-To guides. People love learning new things, so why not share your expertise by creating helpful guides? Whether it's a step-by-step guide or a list of tips and tricks, this type of content can be extremely valuable to your readers.
4. Share behind-the-scenes looks. Give your readers an inside look at what goes on behind the scenes of your business or organization. This could include everything from behind-the-scenes photos and videos to Q&As with employees or interviews with team members.
5. Highlight customer stories. Customer stories are always popular because they show how your product or service has helped solve real problems for real people. If you have any powerful customer stories to share, make sure to highlight them in your content marketing efforts.
7. Lists and roundups
Lists and roundups are a great way to engage your readers and provide them with valuable information.
When creating a list, make sure to include items that are relevant to your niche and audience. You can also use lists to share your own expertise and knowledge on a particular topic.
Roundups are similar to lists, but they typically feature different experts' opinions on a given topic. This is a great way to provide your readers with multiple perspectives on an issue.
Both lists and roundups can be created using existing content, making them a great way to repurpose old material.
When creating either type of content, be sure to keep the following tips in mind:
- Make sure the information is accurate and up-to-date. Nothing will turn off your readers more than outdated information.
- Keep it concise and easy to read. No one wants to wade through a wall of text.
- Use headings and subheadings to break up the text makes it easier to scan.
- Use images, infographics, and other visuals to break up the text and add interest.
8. Questions and answers
When it comes to content, readers often have questions. And as a blog writer, it's your job to answer them. That's why including a section devoted to questions and answers can be so beneficial. Not only does it show that you're an expert on the topic at hand, but it also allows you to engage with your readers directly.
To make the most of this type of content, there are a few things to keep in mind.
First, focus on questions that are relevant to your target audience. This will ensure that the information you provide is valuable to them.
Second, keep your answers concise and to the point. No one wants to read a novel-length answer when all they wanted was a quick fix.
And finally, make sure to use visuals where appropriate. A picture is worth a thousand words, after all.
By following these tips, you can create a questions and answers section that is both informative and engaging for your readers.
9 and 10. Images, infographics, and videos
Images, infographics, and videos are all great ways to engage your readers and provide them with valuable information.
Here are some tips on creating each type of content:
Images:
-Make sure the images are relevant to the text
-Use high-quality images
-Include captions for the images
Infographics:
-Keep the infographic simple and easy to understand
-Include a call to action
-Make sure the design is visually appealing
Videos:
-Keep the video short, under 2 minutes if possible
-Make sure the video is high quality
-Include a transcript of the video for those who prefer to read
So there you have it...
While you certainly discovered a lot about the types of content your reader loves to read from business owners like you, I've only scratched the surface regarding content marketing.
And that's why I'd like to point out a few resources you can use to help you create the content your reader would love to get from you.
To discover more about content marketing, you'll want to read anything from Neil Patel . He creates terrific articles that offer simple how-to tips on producing the types of content your readers love to read.
If your primary interest is video creation, then you can't go wrong with doodly.com. Doodly makes it super easy for you to create whiteboard or explainer-type videos. I highly recommend Doodly if you want to create animated explainer videos for your business. The videos are easy to make, publish and edit. I love Doodly!
Need to know more about content marketing strategy? Here's the best place to get the inside track on content marketing; it's the content marketing institute .
Check them out – you'll be glad you did!