What is Content marketing & How does content marketing work?

 Content marketing is an effective marketing approach that is used to draw to, engage and keep viewers by creating and sharing relevant content or videos, podcasts and other forms of media. This method establishes credibility creates brand awareness and keeps your company top of minds when it's time for them to purchase what you offer.

What is Content Marketing?

Content marketing refers to the creation and distribution of useful, relevant information--blogs, newsletters and white papers social media posts, videos, emails and similar content to prospective and current customers. If done correctly it conveys knowledge and demonstrates that the business values its customers to whom it markets.

The constant usage of marketing content builds and strengthens your relationships with current and prospective customers. When your audience sees your company as an organization who is interested in their success as well as an invaluable source of information and advice They're more likely to select you as a vendor when they're ready to purchase.

What is the reason it's so important

Content marketing is an effective strategy that has been proven to be effective. It also gives you an edge over competitors. Look at what the data say about content marketing:

• Blogs that have been created by businesses get 67 percent greater prospects than other businesses.
• 47 percent of buyers read three to five pieces material prior to speaking with a sales rep.
• Companies that make use of content marketing experience around 30 percent more growth over those who do not use it.
• 72% of business-to-business (B2B) marketers claim that the use of content marketing can increase engagement as well as the amount in leads that they can generate.

How does content marketing work

Your company can make use of content marketing to draw customers, make a case for your product or service when someone is looking for the best option for buying and also to make sales.

For it to be effective for maximum effectiveness, you must provide relevant content at every phase of the sales process, from awareness to consideration to purchase. If you think this is a bit complicated Don't be concerned: focusing on content this way can actually simplify the process.

Here's how businesses can employ content marketing at every stage during the selling cycle to get people involved and also sell.

Awareness stage

The first step of your sales process your content should address the most pressing issues of your target audience. Write about their issues or challenges provides you with the best chances of connecting with them. Content for the awareness phase is educational and practical tips. You should save your selling for closing and consideration stages.

The best content for the stage at hand: articles, blog posts eBooks, videos, newsletters

Examples:

• A restaurant posts a blog about the best way to plan the dinner menu to host a graduate dinner in spring.
• A bicycle touring company makes an instructional video about the subject "3 Ways to Choose the right bike trip."
• An architectural firm develops an electronic book titled "Questions to Ask before Hiring an Architect."

The stage of consideration

In the process of evaluating the content must be an array of information that is useful and marketing. It should also inform the user on what functions or features to search for and how the various features meet their needs. Naturally the content you write should be an emphasis on what your business can offer.

Best content for this stage: case studies, how-to articles, how-to videos, checklists/worksheets

Examples:

• A company offering cloud-based phone systems has a checklist called "8 Methods to Improve Your Phone's Customer Service" which outlines the functions and features that provide outstanding client service possible.
• Landscape companies create cases studies on "The The Most Common Mistakes that People Make when They Employ an Landscaper."
• Catering companies provide examples of successful events that focus on the advantages they provide in such cases as "How to accommodate Food Allergies for your next event," or "How to make sure that the caterer you choose uses sustainable practices."

Closing stage

Content marketing plays a crucial role in bringing a prospect near to purchasing. At this point you should concentrate on sales as long as you make clear why you're your best choice , not the quality of your products or services are.

The primary message is your experience as well as your knowledge and distinct benefits you can offer with what you are selling.

The best Content to use at this point: case studies, user-generated content, buyer's guides video for products Research report

Examples:

• A consulting company creates research reports that show that companies that use strategic planning, evaluations from outsiders, as well as other services influenced by the they offer -- experience higher growth.
• Design agencies create videos that showcase the diversity of their work across various sectors to show its broad knowledge.
• A dental practice allows patients to share their reviews about the latest technology and superior services.

How do I start with content marketing?

Marketing content can be overwhelming and overwhelming, but it doesn't need to be. The most successful advertising campaign can be managed and long-lasting. Follow these steps to start:

• Find your target audience. To create content that is targeted to a specific user, you must know their needs, priorities and interests. If you have explicit descriptions of your various segments, you can choose one or 2 segments to write for. In other cases, write the profiles of your audience members and potential customers prior to beginning.
• Find the appropriate types of formats. The right format is based on the stage in the sales cycle you're making content for. Another consideration is which formats will best allow you to showcase the your value. For some, this could be a video, and for others, it could be a checklist.
• Select the person who writes, edits and proofread your content. A reader will judge your content by its quality and therefore they must. Choose the best resource, either internal or external for this project. Whatever the source employ an expert proofreader who will review the work before it gets out.
• Decide how you'll distribute it. Are you going to post information on your website or send it via email to your contacts or print it at an event? Begin by thinking about "where" you know your target audience will be and then choose formats that are appropriate. For instance an article is a good idea to email, a checklist , or worksheets can be shared on social media sites, and a buyer's guide can be an excellent follow-up to a pitch.
• Choose a sustainable plan. It's easy to create a content marketing strategy that is too ambitious. Once you've identified your target readers and formats, you can create an immediate (3-6 month) plan that will allow for a reasonable amount of content you could create in accordance with the budget you have and your resources. Note down the time it takes to produce each piece of content in order to incorporate that time into your timetable.
• Follow best guidelines. Compelling content is well-written, and without any jargon that only your coworkers will be able to comprehend. The content should also include step-by-step guidelines. A brief, pertinent and actionable piece of information is best.

SEO along with Social Media

SEO

Content marketing makes it easier for potential customers to discover your company. One method to achieve this is by using the search engine optimizer (SEO).

The internet is full of information on SEO However, before you begin with, you should focus on some crucial best methods.

Find the keywords

Keywords form the backbone of your SEO efforts. The most important keywords and phrases are words that a potential customer types into an online search engine when seeking a particular company product or service.

If you use the appropriate terms in the content you write, you'll draw more users. The best keywords include:

• Simple-language the language that your target audience is using to express their issues and wants
• Related: keywords that match your expertise, products and services that you offer
• Particular: A combination of primary focus, your industry knowledge and pain points for prospective clients, and any other pertinent details

Deliver on your promise

SEO has changed so that the success of search depends on the degree to which your content fulfills the promises it promises to accomplish. Search engines analyze content to determine its relevancy, and determine if it delivers according to what it says in the headline.

Due to the importance that search engines place on content Keywords throughout your content is crucial. Utilize the following guidelines:

• Concentrate on 1-to-2 Keywords. Avoid "keyword stuffing" by writing about the most important things to your readers with the focus being on the most important keywords.
• Include words in text. Make what the article is about clear and clear.
• Utilize the keywords in your. Find a way to naturally incorporate your keywords in your content.
• Keep the focus on the subject. Good-quality content that offers advice on headlines will perform best.

Social Media

After you've created content and you're ready to spread the word about the content. Social media, such as Facebook, LinkedIn, YouTube, Twitter, Medium, Instagram and many more--is a tried and effective way to market your content. You simply write a post, and hyperlink to your content and you're done! The audience is interested.

This can be done in three steps:

1. Make sure you are focusing on channels with the highest potential. The best social media outlets are those used by your target audience. Take a look at the top, most well-known channels as well as smaller ones with a focus on industry that will bring you in contact with potential customers. Find out what channels they prefer and create a an easily manageable list of channels according to their preferences.
2. Write your copy to be compatible with the style of the channel. Each social media channel is different in its professionalism and entertainment, a voice that is accepted and other specifics of their own. Before you start writing content for a channel, take time looking through the posts to get familiar with the specifics. And then, add an element of your business spirit.
3. Try and adjust your strategy. A winning social media marketing process is a process of trial and trial and. Monitor responses to the different channels to determine the quality and quantity. The absence of engagements with high potential could mean that a channel is a good match, versus an endless stream of clicks that don't result in an audience.

For more information on the ways Mailchimp can assist you with your social media plan Check out the analysis to our free social media tools against other tools.

Use content to help your company

Make your experience and distinctive value be evident by creating content that is designed to draw attention people, engage and even sell. By putting together a plan and implementing content marketing, you will be able to get the attention of the right audience and build the loyalty of your company.