Content Marketing is a way to invest in oneself. Since humans have used storytelling as a medium of sales, content marketing has been prevailing since then.
Over the time, we become so blunt and jaded while running after leads that we forget that other things matter, too. Just look at the long list of businesses who fail to create a feeling among their targeted audience about their brand that resulted in their downslope.
No matter if you are dreaming of building your eCommerce online empire or simply doing virtual marketing of your business including SEO, SMO, PPC, etc; creativity still matters the most.
Content Marketing Institute, one of the most reputed companies that bring amazing stories on content marketing has shared amazing infographics on the history of content marketing.
“The best moments in reading are when you come across something – a thought, a feeling, a way of looking at things – which you had thought special and particular to you. Now here it is, set down by someone else, a person you have never met, someone even who is long dead. And it is as if a hand has come out and taken yours.” ― Alan Bennett, The History Boys
Incepted by Joe Pulizzi, Content Marketing Institute, lists in the elite group companies whose keywords successfully rank above Wikipedia within their domain. According to industry surveys, if your selected keywords are ranking above than websites like Wiki, then you are doing something incredible with your marketing skills.
Here is a list of some important content marketing hacks to transform your business:
1. Cash In On Social Media
Social media plays an indispensable part in digital marketing. With the right campaigns, you can increase your leads exponentially. Keep a few things in mind while you’re sharing your business on social media- always add pictures and images along with links, be concise and specific in the descriptions and retain a conversational style in your interactions with people. An infographic regarding Facebook sharing is given below:
Image Courtesy: oneims-com
2. Keep Updating Your LinkedIn
LinkedIn has emerged as a vital tool for professional socialization and networking, more so in the past year or so. Your brand gets a publicity boost if it interacts with top experts of your industry and also has the right connections with important people.
When posting on LinkedIn, remember to crunch your posts down to a limited number of words and sentences. You can attract viewers, ultimately converting them into customers with the help of interactive and engaging content. LinkedIn Pulse is a highly regarded platform to share important achievements and notifications with your connections.
3. Invite Guest Bloggers
Bloggers generally use this strategy to cross-promote each other to gather more followers. Guest blogging has been done since forever and has always managed to reward the brands involved. Being a guest blogger, as well as hosting one, are both straightforward ways to combine the strengths of both the parties and have better ROIs.
A few pointers to keep in mind while guest blogging are- make sure that the arrangement is mutually beneficial by spreading the word to as many people as you can; keep your content short and to-the-point. Your aim is to attract more followers to your brand from the cesspool of combined and guest viewers of your blog. These days, Quora and Reddit have become huge names in hosting bloggers and brands to expertly answer queries of their viewers. This arrangement benefits the experts and businesses involved, as well as the hosting sites.
4. Recruit Influencers
Influencers have become driving force for platforms like Instagram, Snapchat and Tik Tok, which base their content on the uniqueness of the users. Brands like Tommy Hilfiger and MAC generate lot of traffic via their tie-ups with global influencers who have millions of followers.
Offer discounts and voucher codes to influencers, to distribute amongst their followers, so you can also generate wider viewership and higher conversion rates for your website. A simple discount voucher can go a long way in attracting more customers for your online business.
Image Courtesy: medium.com
5. Mailing Lists
Mailing lists are another way to remain present in your customers’ daily life and bring them back to your website from time to time. Content creators take this path for-granted and tend to overlook it’s importance. But the truth is, a well-planned and creatively executed e-mail newsletter is shown to bring back approximately 70% of customers to the website.
Keep in mind that your newsletter or e-mail has to appeal the viewer personally and should demonstrate the benefit of him going back for your products or services. Conversion rates are seen to be higher for brands who send weekly e-mails or send reminders to customers for their wish-listed items.
Copyright: Ed Sheeran
To sum it up, the quality and novelty of your content drives more sales and helps in increasing conversion rates for your website. Be creative, innovative and different to get the customers’ attention and transform leads into sales.