Content marketing is all the rage these days. It has lowered the bar of entry to internet marketing, leveling the playing field for anyone who wants to generate leads online. However, with every passing second, tons of content are poured onto the internet, and everyone is not achieving the same level of results with their content. To stand out, you have to learn what is content marketing and its current best practices. But that isn’t as difficult as you think.
Content marketing is all about giving your audience an unusual experience. It revolves around engagement tactics like storytelling, interactive activities, and infotainment, geared toward attracting and retaining your audience. Unlike most traditional forms of marketing that focus on products or services, content marketing puts the audience at the front and center. It portrays your brand in a way that sticks better with your audience.
So, what is content marketing exactly and what are the ingredients of an effective content marketing plan? We’ll help you figure it all out. First, we’ll give you a brief explanation of the state of content marketing today, how it has evolved and what it now holds in store for your business. Then we’ll examine some of the industry’s current best practices and how to leverage them in your content marketing campaign.
What is Content Marketing?
Simply put, content marketing is the art and science of producing and distributing content online for marketing purposes. The most common types of content marketing Services content include blogs, white papers, emails, newsletters, social media posts, and videos.
If you ask a seasoned content marketer what is content marketing, they’ll most likely tell you it’s all about using content to attract, nurture, and convert your leads. It’s about positioning yourself as a go-to solution provider in your niche, proving your expertise, and building strong ties with your potential customers. To succeed with content marketing, you need to address every issue your potential customers may be faced with when searching for solutions to their problems. Your content serves as a compass that guides them to a satisfactory solution to their problems. That means you need to understand how they think and talk to them in a language they can understand.
Eventually, when they’re ready to buy your type of product or service, your brand will come first in mind.
Why is content marketing all the rage these days?
Although content marketing has been around since humans started trying to sell their ideas to their neighbors, content marketing as a form of digital marketing today has taken on a new level of significance.
So, what is content marketing in digital marketing today and what is its significance?
There is an abundance of statistics proving the growing importance of content marketing for businesses. These studies show that businesses that aren’t currently thriving in content marketing are leaving a lot of money on the table.
- With content marketing, you’re 3 times more likely to convert potential customers, and the cost is 6 times less compared to traditional marketing.
- Content marketing generates 67% more leads compared to traditional marketing
- 72% of B2B marketers swear by content marketing as the most effective way to generate leads and maintain a highly-engaged audience base
- Branded videos can convert potential leads to buyers 88% of the time
- More than one out of two businesses are considering increasing their content marketing budget next year
The benefits of content marketing
Still don’t get why there are many upbeat statistics about content marketing? If you’re still wondering what is content marketing in digital marketing and why it is important, here is a list of some of the amazing things you can achieve through content marketing:
A bigger online presence
Content marketing is the most effective way to expand your online presence and bring your brand closer to people who need you. Your educational and informative content can lead searchers back to your brand when they search for related topics on search engines, social media, and their favorite forums and platforms.
A more effective lead generation strategy
A potential customer is 131% more likely to buy from you if they see your educational content. With a well-built funnel, you can convert page views into a growing list of loyal customers.
Building authority and authenticity
You can use content to demonstrate your expertise and establish yourself as an authoritative voice in your space. This can significantly elevate your brand’s perceived trustworthiness.
Increased engagement
With content marketing, you can always keep your brand firmly in the minds of your potential buyers. You can use content to answer pressing questions and help them make better-informed buying decisions.
How content marketing works
Now you know what is content marketing in advanced terms as well as the potential it holds for your business. But how does it all pan out?
Content can be used to shape a buyer’s journey in three stages: Awareness, consideration, and closing
Awareness stage:
At this stage, the goal is to get your potential customer’s attention, positioning your brand as a partner that understands their problems and has all the answers they’re looking for.
What is content marketing examples for this stage?:
- How-to guides,
- Explanatory posts,
- Other types of educational content
Consideration stage:
At this point, your potential customers are considering buying a product or service. A mix of educational and marketing content is required here to give them a sense of direction.
What is content marketing examples for this stage?:
- How-to guides,
- Comparison posts,
- White papers,
- Cheat sheets
Closing stage
At this point, your potential buyers have drawn a list of potential companies to buy from. You can take a more direct marketing approach here, showing them why they should consider your brand instead of others and what to expect from your business.
What is content marketing examples for this stage?:
- Sales copies,
- Emails,
- Behind-the-scenes videos
Create an incredible buyer experience today with content marketing
Content marketing can put you miles ahead of the competition, placing you as an unrivaled favorite brand in your niche. It has the potential of bringing your business to the limelight, regardless of the level of competition you might face.
By mastering what is content marketing and its current best practices, you can get more quality leads faster and at a fraction of the cost compared to traditional marketing.
You can use content to shape your audience’s experience in every step of their journey, helping them address their pain points, and providing them with all the information they need to make satisfactory buying decisions. Give your audience a remarkable experience today with evocative content.