Traditional outbound marketing has given way to inbound marketing.
At the center of all that is content marketing. Everyone is doing content marketing these days. 88% of surveyed companies say they are doing content marketing [PDF]. That’s everyone.
And content marketing works, in case you were wondering why everyone is on the wagon. 82% of those who publish a blog post every day acquired at least one customer, according to HubSpot’s State of Inbound Marketing study.
There are so many content marketing tactics going around; it’s easy to get lost in the haze. If you are considering growing your business through content marketing, these tactics should be top of your list:
1. Create valuable content consistently
Content marketing isn’t about selling your product as much it is about sharing information that is useful to your targeted customers.
Write and share content that help your prospects be more efficient and productive. Don’t push your product in their face. Nobody is interested in what you are selling.
And when you start blogging, do it consistently. Businesses that blog consistently receive 77% more traffic and 97% more links.
When your prospects love you through your valuable content, then they will consider buying from you.
2. Optimize your content for search
When was the last you made any high-stakes purchase without first reading up about it?
94% of purchases begin with a search these days. When you optimize your valuable content for search, you’ll increase your visibility and ultimately, sales.
3. Create valuable content offers
Here is the fact:
When people download your content offers, then you are beginning to warm your way into their hearts. They are beginning to trust you.
4. Convert visitors with landing pages
Your best content won’t affect your bottom line if you don’t have an effective landing page that will drive your leads to take a conversion action. Your landing page needs to be simple, with a call-to-action that brings them close to a sale.
5. Use in-house talent to share relevant content
Creating engaging content consistently is hard. And while you can afford a full-time content developer or an agency, an even nimbler approach is to get every employee to create content.
This collaborative approach often produces impressive results because individuals are sharing personal, human stories in a way that will resonate with your prospects.
6. Nurture your leads with email marketing
Email marketing is more effective than Twitter and Facebook ads - combined. You will get $44 in return for every dollar spent.
Use content offers and landing pages to build your mailing list and nurture it. Share your best content or exclusive promotions. Make your newsletter so interesting that customers are excited about opening them every time.
7. Curate testimonials to build your online reputation
You don’t have to create all the content yourself. What are people saying about you? Curate your best feedback and turn it into a testimonial grid on your website.
This social proof will get more people to trust your business.
8. Explore other expressions of content
Content doesn’t have to be text. Depending on your audience, consider other creative outlets for your content: videos, infographics, video streaming, podcasts, and more.
How are you using content marketing to grow your business in Nigeria? Let’s talk in the comments.
__
Are you a Nigerian entrepreneur with a transformative idea? Cranium One is a premium coworking hub that provides space for people to connect, collaborate and bring their ideas to reality. Learn more
Related
Pingback: 5 things that keep your social media account alive and 5 things that will kill it - Cranium One