Content Marketing: The Basics

content marketing

?noun

1. a type of marketing that involves the creation and sharing of online material (such as videos, blogs, and social media posts) that does not explicitly promote a brand but is intended to stimulate interest in its products or services.
2. "social media is an integral part of content marketing"

Basically, small businesses and many others can't survive in 2018 without some sort of content marketing strategy. Unless ofcourse you have a highly successful brand that operates within its own reputation and is self-sustaining, then sure you can. 

But how many of us can be assured that our products and services will continue beng sold, unwaveringly, for years to come? 

Content marketing generates three times for leads than outbound marketing, and costs 62% less. 

Now you may think to yourself, oh yes sure, content marketing sounds good, let's do it. You cannot simply pick some random content, some funny images, some product images and think by posting that on your various social media and digital channels that you'll create leads. 

Content marketing goes hand in hand with brand strategy. You need to know what client you're trying to attract, what is it that they'd find as valuable information? Think value added. If you sell cleaning materials, it may be worth your while to include articles on your website with cleaning hacks and tips, give your potential clients an idea on how to deep clean their bathroom, instead of just trying to sell them a shower cleaning product. THAT'S adding value to a potential client's life. 

Now, content is not only writing a few articles for your website. Content is what goes on your Facebook page, your Instagram page, your website, your LinkedIn page, your email marketing campaigns and any place online where your brand might be posting. 

Content can be articles, imagery, videos, infographics and much more. 

So, you two options. You can either find a professional who is willing to take the time to understand and get to know your brand and its vision, or, depending on available budget, you can sit down and slowly start figuring out your content plan yourself. 

If you're looking into hiring someone who does content creation professionally, take the time to meet with them, get to know them and see some of their previous work. It's imperative that they are not only great writers, but that they can deliver your content on time and in line with where your brand is going and what you want it to achieve. 

Doing it yourself will take more time. Put aside a day or two, and spend some time with pen and paper. Who are your clients? Who are your potential clients? What would they like to see, or read about? What type of content would they digest best? Do you have the type of audience who would read a 1500 word article? Or do you think they'd enjoy watching a short video? 

There's also no harm in testing it, but remember, measuring results takes time. You cannot decide in just a few short days or weeks that your content plan is not working, give your audience time to read and find the content that you're putting out there. You have to give them time to visit, and re-visit your site and your pages in order to get your stats up. 

I'd be happy to discuss your content marketing needs with you, but this isn't a post created for me to sell my services to you, although it might help in the long run. 

Do you see what I did there? 

Short mention of my business and what I can offer, without shovelling it in your face. I can do this for you, but I am not direct selling my services to you without adding any value first. You're free to read this article and pick up some tips, without subscribing, purchasing or selling your soul to the devil.

And THAT is the point of content marketing.

Check out My Moose Blog at www.candymoose.com/themooseblog - "There's no method to the madness."