The Internet is a place for everything. Consumers get on their computers and search for information and things they need online. All they have to do is type in keywords and they will be given sites that might have what they are looking for. They use the Internet to connect with others through social media. They get work done by reading and sending emails even when they are on the move. The Internet has opened another arena where marketers can reach out to more consumers at lower marketing costs.
Today, almost any kind of business maintains a website. This is where consumers find everything they need about a product or service. Companies even have blogs that contains articles related to what they are offering. It is one way of attracting consumers and keeping them interested. Companies even have E-newsletters to update subscribers on the latest happenings, promos, etc. The concept is easy but it takes the right strategy to come up with content that will generate and maintain customers.
Content is important in the online world. Anyone can post anything online and it is sure to attract someone’s interest. If you are running a website with a blog for your business, it is important that you have great content so people will keep visiting your site and remember your brand. You can achieve this by having the right content strategy. Once you have it, you start building brand awareness and the possibility of it being a conversation catalyst.
Here are 3 important things to remember when creating content for your website’s blog:
Content Creation – create an article that shows professionalism, provides practical advice, and entertains. Create content that writes about what you care for and what you think will be appealing to your audience. Add key phrases to make it easy for others to find it online. Then include it in your newsletter, make a teaser of your article and add a link that directs your audience to the full version on your blog.
You can also share your article with other blogs that have a large audience. If your article is aligned with that blog’s needs, audience will surely find it helpful. Try to write articles for press. If you think you have a good story, share it with someone who can publish it. If they agree, promote the publication to your email list.
Add Variety – there are a lot of great content out there like videos, articles, and blogs that you can include in your blog. If you can find something interesting, share them with your audience. You can also add variety by getting someone to write content for your blog. You can invite others to guest blog for you. You can even ask your subscribers about what they want to read about. You can do this by email and you can create content from what you can gather from them.
Include interesting and helpful content in your newsletter and add active links. Sometimes, this will mean driving traffic to other sites but this will add value for your subscribers.
Be Social – other than your blog, you can attract more audience by creating Twitter, Facebook and other social media accounts for your business. You can use these sites to invite others to check out your business and blog. You can post links and teasers on these sites about the articles that you just created. This strategy will extend your reach, drive traffic to your site, and is a fast way to receive feedback from your audience.
Social media sites help you reach the right people that may find your article interesting. There are ways to check people’s Twitter bios and you can tweet a link and mention these people to read your article. There is also the possibility that your content goes viral because sharing is so much easier done through social media sites.
When you use content from other sites or when someone writes for you or about you, it is always rewarding to give them credit. You can thank them publicly through your blog or your social media accounts. This practice might even give you the chance to be promoted by others. Being social will help you build a network that will help you in the long run.
Content strategy starts with a vision that meets your business goals. With careful planning, incorporate these three into your blog and start building your brand’s online presence. Your audience will start talking and sharing your content with others. Following the right content strategy will make your brand known, win you constumers, generate leads, and increase your sales.
Author:
Maria Elena Duron, is managing editor of the Personal Branding Blog and CEO (chief engagement officer) of buzz2bucks.com – a word of mouth marketing firm. She helps create connection, credibility, community and cha-ching through mobile marketing and social commerce around your brand. She is co-founder of #brandchat – a weekly Twitter chat focused on every aspect of branding.
