Compelling Content: The Window to Your Content Marketing Soul

I have not one, but TWO infographics for you on this lovely Wednesday morning, so let’s get started.

What is Content Marketing?

For all you textual learners out there, content marketing is the process of creating and sharing original content through the use of:

• Blogs
• Case Studies
• Infographics
• Podcasts and Videos
• White Papers
• eBooks

The main purpose of content marketing is to inform or educate your reader, not to sell your product or services. This is different from the more traditional form of marketing which relies on interruptions, advertisements, and the often unwanted sales pitch.

Here’s infographic numero uno to help explain (Click to enlarge):

Today’s audience doesn’t want to be bombarded with pop-up ads, spammy emails, or the dreaded commercial break. While informative, they’re generally unwelcome and, therefore, ineffective. Instead, make your information work for you.

Content marketing allows you to teach your audience about you and your business without your audience realizing it, and you’ll have gained their attention and support by simply providing them with valuable information that they actually want to read.

The Lego Explanation

Content marketing is a lot like a child playing with Legos, building elaborate houses and fortresses and not realizing they are actually learning a lot of practical skills such as: geometry, primary colors, construction, property management, demolition even (if you were playing with them correctly, that is).

In content marketing, you’re educating prospective consumers on your business or industry, peaking their interest in what you do and who you are, and in the end, they’ll stick around longer, becoming loyal followers and trumpeters of your business, mentioning you for years to come in loving nostalgia.

Now For the Meat of it All: the Content

• Originality
• Dry humor
• Good grammar
• Bullet points
• White space
• Pictures!
• Catchy, attention-grabbing titles and headings
• Keywords (don’t forget the ole’ SEO)
• Your personal voice

Writing is at the heart of every blog post, every social media campaign, every Twitter update, so when you produce thoughtful, inventive content, you get quality posts and effective results. See our second infographic of the day to see just how effective content marketing can be.

And remember, when people like what you’re publishing, they’re more likely to tweet, like, and share, and with this increase in visibility comes higher traffic, more referrals, growth of a dedicated consumer base, and a better, more profitable business.

Happy content writing, everyone!