When you think about it, the internet should make it easier than ever to reach your customer base. Yet most small to medium companies seem to struggle with how to use the internet effectively.
Investing in digital advertising seems to be a must, but not all smaller businesses have the money to do so. The solution is tapping into the secrets of effective content marketing. Here are 5 ways to help make your content marketing more effective.
1. Plans are Important
You need the plan to get your content working for you. That begins with setting objectives and finding the right target audience. Remain realistic with your goals and make sure they fit the size of your business. They should also tie in with your overall business goals and suit the needs of your industry.
Next, research your audience and find out what they like and what keeps them entertained. If you have the know-how and the means, set up consumer personas to allow you to get even more precise in addressing pain points and interests for each type of person in your broader target.
Your targets also help you discover the best tone for your content and where you should be posting it. Have you ever thought about where to post? Many people overlook the channels they use for developing their online presence. Your plan should include the channels you are using, what content you will be posting, and when you will be posting it.
2. Have a Content Calendar
Once you determine your targets and where they are most likely to be reached, remember that each channel has different frequencies for postings. For example, Twitter requires several tweets a day, and Facebook sees good traction with a single post per day.
A content calendar will offer an anchor for your content with a focus on quality. It will also help you avoid being repetitive with an up-to-date overview of what you have already posted. In short, a content calendar will provide you with two important things:
- A plan mapped out by date and time for your posts
- An editorial outline of what you have posted in the past and what you will be posting in the future
3. Know Your Stuff
Going off on random tangents does not make content. You have to remain focused on your industry and what you have to offer. Even if you determine your audience loves the random stuff, it still has to tie back to your brand.
The basics of content are that it should always inform your audience and help solve a problem. Using analysis tools such as Google Analytics and Facebook Insights will allow you to review bounce rates. The longer a person stays on a post, the more chance there is they enjoyed the content.
Read also about Content Delivery Network A Powerful Way To Keep Your Website Stable
4. Don’t Post It Just to Keep Active
Never give in to the pressure to post often. It is easy to say that you must post five times a day to get noticed. However, if what you post is of no use to followers and readers, it will actually have more chance of stopping them from engaging with your brand. Your priority should always be quality over volume.
5. Don’t Get Keyword Crazy
Low-quality content can also negatively impact your SEO efforts. SEO is important but should not always be your driving force. If you are using keywords in a manner that will negatively impact someone’s reading experience, then you are going to lose followers.
Keywords are a necessary tool. But when misused or when stuffed throughout a blog post, keywords create monotony, poor grammar, and an unenjoyable reading experience. Instead of stuffing keywords, use one or two well-researched keywords in your content. For video and image posts, make sure you are using ALT tags, meta descriptions, and file names to improve SEO.
In addition to the 5 key ways above, it is also important for SMEs to continue building their brand and the identity they carry. Although it might seem daunting for most SMEs to handle all sorts of priorities all at once, a third party can help you to develop your brand whilst you focus on effective content marketing. Sagara Technology offers a perfect solution for SMEs or even growing businesses in developing their brand while they manage other essential priorities at hand.