How to Begin Content Marketing For Your Business

You have this incredible brand that needs more exposure. What do you do? You could pass out flyers or post a few advertisements online, however, those aren’t going to build you a loyal following. If you’re looking to engage with your audience and build brand awareness, we recommend putting together a content strategy.

With over 4 billion internet users in the world (many of which are social media users), there’s plenty of opportunities to reach your audience through content marketing. Not sure where to begin? We’ve listed out five ways to help you get started.

What is Content Marketing?

According to Content Marketing Institute, “content marketing is a strategic marketing approach focused on creating and distributing valuable, relevant, and consistent content to attract and retain a clearly defined audience — and, ultimately, to drive profitable customer action.” Content marketing can range from a social media post to a mobile app, with several varieties in between.

How to Get Started:

1. Research.

If you’re reading this right now, you’re already on the right track. It’s important to learn as much as you can about all the different types of content before you begin. You don’t want to assume that blog posts are the only pieces of content that you’re capable of creating on your own. In fact, there are various ways to get your brand name out there without having to type a single word (think video or podcast). Just keep in mind the cost of creating some of these pieces of content, as they can get pretty pricey. If you have the budget for them, great! If not, start with the free stuff (like articles, ebooks, whitepapers, case studies, and interviews).

Source: PR NewsWire

2. Determine your audience.

Once you’ve determined the pieces of content you want to start with, it’s time to take a look at who you’ll be showing them to. Here’s an example…let’s say you’re a custom jewelry maker. Your primary audience is female ages 25-34. Your next step is to determine where these women are most likely to find your content. Eventbrite wrote a helpful article on how to find your audience online to get you started. Don’t hesitate to try new networks that you haven’t dabbled in before–you might just find your new favorite platform!

3. See what your competitors are doing.

Before you begin creating content, it’s wise to take a look at what your competitors are doing. Are they creating captivating social posts but no video? Take that opportunity to fill the gap. What about blog posts? Are your competitors cranking out meaningless blog posts just to push content? Take the time to create a blog post that is worth reading and includes images, graphics, and even infographics (we love this free tool by Canva).

4. Outline. Plan. Execute.

Sure, you could start creating and posting content right away, but what happens when you begin to lose steam after a few weeks? By creating a plan, you’re setting yourself up for success. Simply put together an editorial calendar with the draft and posting dates at least one month in advance. This will not only hold you accountable but will also keep you organized.

5. Analyze your results.

At the beginning of each month, you can find at least half of us at the agency updating our client’s reports. This is where we determine what is working and what isn’t (and how to fix it). The same should go for you. Always monitor your results, whether that be through your social media insights or through Google Analytics so you can see what’s engaging with your audience. If you post and never look back, it’s hard to improve.

6. Hire an agency to do it for you.

If you’re looking to hire someone to create effective content for you, look no further than Commit Agency. We have experienced creative designers, blog writers and video editors on staff who are ready to showcase your brand in a whole new light. If you’re interested in learning more about us, visit our website at commitagency.com.