It's not the best content that wins, it's the best promoted content." ~Andy Crestodina
The concept of content marketing has been around for hundreds of years (Watch the History of Content Marketing). Content is the present and the future of marketing. In order to be successful, we need to constantly improve and promote our content. Read the following tips below to learn how you can use the best sales tool in the world:
“You need to create ridiculously good content – content that is useful, enjoyable and inspired.” ~ Ann Handley
What key issue is your content helping other people to solve? If you are providing solutions to common or difficult problems, people will find your content valuable and will be more likely to read and share it. By contributing value to your community of readers you will be more easily discovered and see more interaction.
Go back through your articles and other content. Do you laugh, smile or cringe? If you are not impressed with your own content who else will be? Make sure that your content makes sense and is something you can be proud of. Polish your content using the skills you currently have, make updates to older content and create more of your best content.
“Content is fire. Social media is gasoline.” ~ Jay Baer
When you release new article content, post links on social media such as Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn. These are a few great platforms for people to find your content and to become followers of your future content. If you are not promoting yourself, its likely no one else will either.
A lack of new content is the number one reason most brands and social accounts are failing to gain traction. Instagram accounts that post daily will see engagement 3-4 times higher than those that post weekly. Make sure you post quality content and post frequently. Create a posting schedule and plan content creation time into your schedule. It will be much easier to keep to a posting schedule if you have a clear idea of the type of content that you want to make and set aside the time.
When creating your posting schedule map out the types of content you will post and which days each category will be posted. Make plans for creating the images or video and write ideas that will form a basis for the accompanying text.
You are more likely to miss elements or overlook errors when creating and publishing your own content. Invest the time to check your work or hire someone to proofread and critique your content. Although feedback may be difficult to hear, you will improve and your audience will thank you.
If you have just written some content, give yourself a break before you read over it. Often if we try to edit something right after it's been written we will not be able to catch the mistakes because we know what it should say, and our minds fill in the gaps and cover up the mistakes.
“We need to stop interrupting what people are interested in and be what people are interested in.” ~ Craig Davis
To be successful with content marketing you must put in the work to create consistently high-quality content. It may take months to see serious results, but by putting in the effort, you will see dividends. What we create can provide value to others and ourselves for years.
For more content marketing tips, check out our blog 5 Key Steps To Developing Your Social Media Marketing
