Ad blocking software is becoming commonplace, making it more essential for business owners to have a solid content marketing strategy to reach customers. In fact, brands that rely heavily on paid advertising may need to rethink their approach in the coming years. So what is content marketing and how can it help your business generate leads?
What Do We Mean by “Content”?
First, let’s review what we mean when we talk about content. This can include things like:
- Blog posts
- How-to articles
- Photos
- Videos
- Live stream video
- Podcasts
- Questions & Answers (Q&A) resources
- Pro tips
- Infographics
This is by no means a complete list, but you can begin to see how broad your options are when it comes to building a content marketing strategy as it relates to your industry.
Generating Leads
Creating a content plan for your company needs to go beyond posting the occasional blog article. Remember that consistency is key in order to appreciate the benefits of a successful content marketing strategy.
Hopefully your content offers something of value to your customers—whether that’s insider advice or special offers. This is how you can begin to grow your brand awareness and draw more traffic to your website over time. Another key element that is easy to overlook is that content creation is also an avenue for brands to build trust as well as engagement with potential customers. You are essentially giving away something for free with the intention of building a relationship with your customers.
Developing Your Content
By now you might be getting a few ideas of the kinds of content you’d like to share for your own business. It helps to think about your customers and what they would find useful or interesting, so begin by putting yourself in their shoes and pretend you know nothing about your industry for a moment. The best marketing plans are built on this foundation of empathy.
Note that many small business owners are becoming more transparent through social media channels and offering their followers a behind-the-scenes look. This is one way to personalize your brand with content that can set you apart from the competition. For example, it’s the kind of community leverage that a family-owned bookshop on the corner has over a mega-corporation like Amazon. Yes, Amazon may be cheaper and more convenient, but there is a certain anonymity to Amazon that lacks the warmth and the sense of belonging a book lover might feel by choosing local.
The bottom line? Content marketing can play to your brand’s strengths, regardless of what your industry is.
Professional Content Marketing
It takes time and organization to create a content marketing strategy that works, but each step in your digital marketing journey will help generate awareness of your brand and target leads so you can watch your small business grow and grow. If you don’t have time to manage your own content, leave it to us.
At D-Kode Technology, we can help you fine-tune your marketing to get the results you need. Let’s talk! Give us a call at (925) 856-5342 to schedule a free consultation. You can also click here to drop us a line.
