“Content marketing” is the big buzzword in the industry right now. But what exactly does it mean, and why should you care? In this post, we’ll walk you through the importance of content marketing, what it might look like for your brand, and some tips and tricks for how to use content marketing to its fullest extent on different social media platforms.
What is Content Marketing?
Content marketing is a form of marketing that attracts customers to your brand by providing useful, educational, or entertaining content. Instead of pushing your products or services directly, content marketing focuses on engaging your audience with valuable information that naturally leads them to your brand.
The Power of Content
Content marketing lets you showcase your brand’s unique creative personality and builds loyalty from customers. When customers interact with your brand in a creative way rather than through a business transaction, they feel a deeper connection. This approach not only differentiates you from competitors but also builds trust and drives customer loyalty.
Another key benefit of content marketing is its customizability. Whether you have a broad customer base or a niche market, you can create different types of content to reach various segments of your audience effectively. High-quality, engaging content can make your brand stand out and ensure long-term customer retention.
What does content marketing look like for you?
Content marketing comes in many forms, and no matter what kind of business you’re looking to market for, there’s a way for you to incorporate creativity. You choose the best strategies for your brand. Some popular types of content marketing are:
Social Media Content
Effectively using your brand’s social media presence is a perfect way to incorporate content marketing into just about any brand’s advertising strategy. This includes writing effective and engaging copy for your posts as well as creating eye-catching visual elements to complement it. Visual elements can include captivating graphic designs or entertaining photos and videos.
Print Advertising Content
Print advertising content can include the design and art direction for still visual campaigns in magazines and catalogs, as well as planning content interaction for urban advertising like billboards, public transportation, and murals. Print advertising can be ideal for brands selling tangible products that photograph well and speak for themselves visually.
Long-Form Text Content
Long-form text content includes educational or entertaining written pieces like in-depth blog posts, white papers, email marketing, and newsletters. These forms of content are popular with brands that offer services, especially more intangible functions that are more difficult to sell visually and rely on an aesthetically captivating presentation and informative copy.
Tips for Content Marketing on Social Media
Instagram is a highly visual platform, making it ideal for showcasing your brand’s aesthetic and personality. Effective Instagram marketing requires a blend of engaging visuals and interactive content to capture and maintain audience interest. Here are some strategies to maximize your impact:
1. Maintain Visual Consistency
Instagram is a visual platform. A consistent look helps your content stand out and builds a reliable relationship with your customers. The best way to do this is by developing a style guide for your brand so that all your content is immediately recognizable as yours.
2. Try Out Different Post Formats
Instagram offers a wide variety of ways to interact with your audience. Try using stories for a more informal feel that connects with your audience! Or explore Instagram’s livestreaming features to give your followers a Q&A experience.
3. Stay Flexible and Trend-Savvy
Keep your finger on the pulse so you know what your audience is talking about, and be flexible enough to jump onto fun trends when they come up. Engage with your competition to learn from their mistakes and draw inspiration from their successes.
Instagram Marketing Done Right
Starface is an excellent example of a brand that uses Instagram effectively. Their posts are visually consistent, making them instantly recognizable, and they use stories to share customer testimonials and highlight top products, creating a strong back-and-forth relationship with their audience.
Facebook offers a versatile platform for reaching a diverse audience. With its range of features, you can tailor your content to fit different needs and engage users through multiple touchpoints. Here’s how to leverage Facebook’s capabilities effectively:
1. Experiment with your content strategy
Learn more about your audience through both research and experimentation. Find out which posting times and formats are getting the best interaction from your followers and adjust your content plans accordingly.
2. Use the rule of thirds
Keep your content balanced. One-third of what you post should be creative or inspirational. Another third should be content that engages your audience directly, encouraging them to comment or interacting with their accounts. Only one-third of your content should be directly promoting your business.
3. Utilize Facebook’s unique tools
Like Instagram, Facebook offers a wide variety of ways to interact with your followers and build customer relationships. Optimizing the experience your brand offers by creating Facebook groups, going live, or using their marketplace as it applies to your business needs.
Facebook Marketing Done Right
Pizza Hut does an excellent job of balancing their Facebook content using the rule of thirds, keeping their content variable and fresh. They also use optimized posting times to catch their audience’s attention around dinner time and stay top-of-mind when it’s most important to their customers.
LinkedIn is the premier platform for B2B content marketing, offering a professional environment to connect with industry peers and potential clients. It’s essential to approach LinkedIn differently than other social platforms, focusing on building professional relationships and showcasing your expertise. Here’s how to make the most of LinkedIn:
1. Tailor your content
Don’t let your LinkedIn presence feel like a copy of your other social media accounts. Your LinkedIn audience will likely look different from your audience on other sites, so don’t make assumptions about who you’re talking to. Create content that’s exclusive to LinkedIn to offer a unique experience on the site.
2. Use hashtags
Find your audience more efficiently or reach a broader audience by using relevant hashtags to extend your content’s visibility.
3. Be genuine with your content
On a platform like LinkedIn, it can be tempting to give the hard sell, but remember the point of content marketing is to build an authentic relationship with your audience. Follow the rule of thirds and use discretion when deciding when to post promotional content.
LinkedIn Marketing Done Right
SEMrush is the perfect example of a brand using LinkedIn effectively to create meaningful content. Their LinkedIn page is well-balanced with everything from memes to templates and they provide free educational content across multiple platforms, offering value to their audience upfront and winning customer loyalty.
Content marketing is an essential tool for small businesses looking to build strong, lasting relationships with their customers. By creating high-quality, engaging content, you can showcase your brand’s personality, differentiate yourself from competitors, and drive customer loyalty.
Ready to harness the power of content for your business? Visit our services page for more information about our content marketing services and start your journey today!
