What is Content Marketing and Why You Need it in 2018
In 2018, if you are not leveraging the power of content marketing, you are seriously lagging behind. It is easy to set up a website, add graphics, contact details, and even run some Facebook ads and think that you are on the right track. However, you will need to do more if you are looking to maximize your profit or take your business to the next level.
Content marketing is another super-effective marketing tool you need to have. Creating a website is not enough, content marketing is one of the marketing tools that bring both short-term and long-term results.
What is Content Marketing Anyway?
Content marketing is a popular topic as far as digital marketing is concerned. It is all about the creation and distribution of high-quality content that attracts and engages audiences online.
You can also see this form of marketing as a strategic marketing approach that is focused on creating and distributing not only valuable but also relevant and consistent content in order to attract and retain a well-defined audience.
The ultimate aim of content marketing isn’t just to attract and retain but to drive profitable customer action.
This type of marketing is mostly used to drive customer acquisition as well as deeper engagement with current customers. It is also very useful for brand awareness.
If you are planning to introduce your brand as an authority in the industry, you surely need to be leveraging content marketing.
As audiences continue to shift to new media, the trend in content marketing has continued to soar in the past two decades. As such, it is no longer a tool reserved only for the big brands, small businesses, new startups, as well as individuals and freelancers are today leveraging content marketing to build their brand and stand out as an authority.
Content marketing is used by many prominent brands such as Microsoft, P&G, Cisco Systems, Alibaba, and John Deere. It is also used by small businesses because it works.
How is Content Marketing Different From Traditional Advertising
Just as the name implies, content marketing is a form of advertising but somewhat different from your everyday traditional advertising.
When you run ads on Facebook or Google Adwords, you just use a few texts and images with the ultimate aim of creating curiosity and attracting the viewer to find out more. However, content marketing is about communicating and educating customers.
It seeks to add value to both current and potential customers without the sales pitch. In most cases, the content itself is editorially-minded. However, it remains relevant to the product or service of the brand.
The content is used to provide information in form of education, practical value, entertainment, or emotional connection.
Other formats for content marketing include:
- Blog articles
- Webinars
- Emails
- Podcasts
- Videos
- eBooks
- Social media marketing
- Infographics
- Quizzes
- Case Studies
- How-To Guides
- Cartoons
- Assessments
- Apps
Why You Must Be Leveraging Content Marketing
There are hundreds of reasons why you should incorporate content marketing tools into your marketing arsenal. The least of these reasons is that content marketing increase sales saves costs, and help you get better customers who have more loyalty.
But that’s not all. There are tons of other reasons why you should be leveraging content marketing in 2018. Some of these other reasons include:
Content Marketing Drives Conversion
According to a research, companies that use consistent marketing content experience conversion rates that are almost 6 times higher than their competitor that uses other forms of marketing.
Content Marketing Leads to Higher Visibility in Search Engines
If you are targeting higher ranking in the search engine, you need to be leveraging content marketing. Google loves these informative and educational contents. By consistently making use of long-tail keywords in your content, you will be able to attract more search engine ranking and get rewarded with high-quality visitors.
Content Marketing Leads to Trust and Customer Loyalty
A great way to achieve trust and customer loyalty is by consistently educating your current and potential customers. When you have the trust of your customers, it becomes very easy to make sales and achieve conversions.
Content Marketing Leads to Improved Brand Reputation
People build an impression of your brand anytime they read your material. They will certainly think more highly of your brand if they are reading helpful, informative, and enlightening content on your website. It is a great way to build your brand as an authority in the industry.
Content Marketing Leads to Stronger Customer Relationships
A great way to encourage repeat business and turn customers into brand advocates is through stronger customer relationships. Fortunately, by providing value for your customers through quality engaging content, you can easily build stronger customer relationships.
Conclusion
Content marketing is a definite must for every business in 2018. The benefits that can be gained from this form of marketing cannot be ignored. It not only saves you costs, it will help you build trust, credibility, and bring about higher search engine ranking as well as more conversion. When you invest in content marketing, you will enjoy the benefits both in the short and long-term.
