With time, content marketing has become a vast subject. The art of putting across content is through the simplest form of storytelling. It is far away from being technical.
Now let me tell you something. When I started my research, I was astonished that more than 50% of the brands do not have a content marketing strategy. Are you one of them? Then how are you going to see any conversions?
I am pleased to have you with me today.
How to develop a content marketing strategy? This game plan is not at all intimidating. It’s effortless. Let’s get started with it.
How to develop a content marketing strategy?
Here are a few ways in which you can jumpstart your results. PS: Make sure it is sustainable.
Create Your Own Content
Yes, you have to create [content] (https://socialgravity.ie/content-marketing-agency/)but ensure it’s only yours. If you give your visitors the already available content, what are they deriving from you and your brand? Innovative, distinctive and engaging. That’s precisely how the content should be.
Know Your Audience
What kind of audience is interested in your content? You must know your audience to serve them right. You can engage your readers more when you know them closely. For example, if you are writing for a fashion magazine, who do you think your audience would be? Someone aged from 25-55 years. Also, it will be a female, most likely. So, what are the parameters you must look into? Age, gender, profession, country, etc.
Look into Your Competitors
Don’t get me wrong. I am not asking you to replicate your competitor. Only look into their style and game plan. You know what they say, keep your friends close and enemies closer. It applies here as well. Keep a constant check on what they post and what kind of response they receive. It’s great to be in the loop.
Visual Content is the King.
Take two examples. One, where there’s a whole lot of good content. Second, content with some eye-catchy visuals. Which one is more attention-grabbing? Hands down, the second one. The human brain registers and gets more attracted to images. Visuals also break through the monotony. Make sure you use the right size and colour.
Make It Readable
By readable, I don’t mean the words you use. Your content should be scannable. Only then will it be appealing enough to read. How do you do that? These are a few simple yet very effective modules.
- Keep your sentences and paragraphs short.
- Use an active voice.
- Use bullet points.
- Use subheadings.
Call to Action (CTA)
If you are in the field, you know the call to action strategy. The question here is, how much of it do you apply? I would say a CTA is a must. How do you use it?
- Register for the event
- Buy the product
- Share on social media
- Email for updates
- Sign up for the newsletter
Tailor your CTA as per your content.
Content Calendar
A content calendar goes as a part of developing a content marketing strategy plan. Of course, you know what a calendar is. So basically, this is just a written schedule of how, when and where your content will get published. Is it essential to have a content calendar? Well, I say yes. It will give you a big picture of what’s coming up. A calendar will make sure that your content happens. It will also make communication easy with your team. Enough reasons to have one?
Create Your Own Content Marketing Strategy
I am glad you have stayed till the end. You are no longer naive in developing a content marketing strategy. Those were a few master plans for content. How about things that are a big NO? Do not turn a blind eye to reviews. Do not use the wrong platforms. Do not compromise on quality. Do not take your potential customers lightly.
So, not just the DO’s but the DON'Ts are also important. Get in touch with me, and I can reveal more.
Frequently Asked Questions
The first steps involve establishing your goals and defining your target audience. It's crucial to understand what you want to achieve and who you're trying to reach.
Researching your competitors can provide insights into what content is successful in your industry, helping you to create a more effective strategy.
Keyword research helps you understand what your audience is searching for online. This can guide the topics you cover, ensuring your content is relevant and discoverable.
Devising a content strategy involves planning how you will use content to meet your business and customer needs. This includes deciding on the types of content you will create, how often you will publish, and on which platforms.
A content production schedule helps you plan and organise your content creation. It ensures you have a steady stream of content ready to publish and can help you align your content with key dates or events.
Essential elements include clear goals, a defined audience, a plan for content creation and distribution, and measures for evaluating success. These elements should be tailored to your specific business and customer needs.