Build your Brand and Company's Message with Content.
How to Boost your Business with Online Content.
“Content isn't king, it's the kingdom.” ~ Lee Odden
With the Internet, reaching potential customers has become easier than ever before. Search engines, social media, podcasts and video gives your company access to a massive market of consumers.
One of the best long-term methods to reach that market is through publishing
content online. Content published online builds your company’s authority, brand
awareness, and sales.
By reaching communities through content, your business can create brand advocates who will purchase your products for years, as well as recommend your products to their friends and family. They might learn from your blog or social media content, share your products to their followers, or make a purchase when you announce a new product line.
Content can be posted on your website or repurposed across platforms. It can be
sent directly to your audience’s email inboxes. If they subscribe to your podcast, they can receive notifications every time you release a new episode.
“If we face the truth, we know that content marketing is about making money.” ~James Allen
Content helps your business get:
Increased exposure
Stronger brand awareness
Visibility and authority
Content is the versatile engine to run the online marketing of your business.
Here’s what you need to know when publishing content online:
1. Lead with value. Giving value (free information, advice, tips) builds the
credibility of your business and keeps your company at the front of
consumer’s minds.
2. Map the customer journey. Content marketing is storytelling that brings
customers through different stages:
Awareness. This is the stage when potential customers learn about you and your business. Lead customers from this “Awareness” stage to the next stage with a call-to-action to subscribe to your newsletter. At this stage, the content can be:
Tutorial (from search like Google or Pinterest)
Viral post (something people will share or retweet)
Expert content or analysis reports
Consideration. At this stage, potential customers already know about you and would consider buying from you. They are already in your circle. Content can be half educational and half promotional. You’ll reach customers at this stage via content such as newsletters, case studies, and podcasts.
Decision. At the decision stage, customers trust your business and are considering making a purchase from you. Content here isn’t to educate or build brand awareness. It’s to address the benefits of your products or services. At this stage, the call-to-action leads the customer to either make a purchase or start a free trial.
3. Create a strategy. A strategy is essential to ensuring your team reaches your
goals.
What is your goal when publishing content?
What is the monetization plan?
How are you going to achieve your goals?
For every platform, set an audience intent. Does your audience look at Pinterest for inspiration? Instagram for tutorials?
4. Interact with your community. Use content as a way to interact with and
engage your community! Make them feel like they are part of something
Create content that gets them involved with what you stand for. Post
community-generated content.
“Make your customers the hero of your stories.” ~Ann Handley
5. Become a category leader. You can also use content to distinguish your
business in your industry. How is your business different from the rest, and
how can you create content that reflects that?
6. Have a brand style guide that covers brand voice and tone. A brand style
guide ensures that your team stays consistent when you publish. It can also
be a frame of reference when you’re thinking about content ideas to publish.
“Content is fire. Social media is gasoline.” ~Jay Baer
When you are educational and helpful, customers move through the customer
journey. When you go beyond publishing content about your products, customers
start to see you as a part of their everyday lives beyond your products or services.
Social media gives us free access to a massive market. Through shareable content, you can build a timeless brand awareness that goes beyond the products you sell today.
This information is provided by Sid Washington for Moor Graphix and to support your businesses growth and success!
Let us know where you need help and we will create a solution!