What is Content Marketing?
Content marketing, content creators, content this, content that. What is it?! More importantly, WHY is it all the buzz?
Besides being essential for small businesses in 2021, content marketing is simply creating and distributing content that is valuable. However, that simple definition doesn’t correlate to it being a simple task. In fact, it is why whole jobs are created around it and some businesses struggle.
For today, let’s debunk the misconceptions that surround the content marketing industry once and for all. Whether you consider yourself a content pro or you’re just getting tips, these truths can help you out tremendously. Learn how to become better at content marketing while running your small business here!
Myth #1: Simply posting content will get you noticed.
A common misconception is that posting your blog or video gets the job done, but that is not the case at all. If it were that simple, everyone would be getting noticed! This is what us marketers call Posting & Ghosting in the content marketing industry.
Truth: Instead, look at which social media platforms you are on, which of your hashtags are performing the best and what your analytics are all telling you. Do this all while actively engaging with your audience. This means interacting with other accounts using your top performing hashtag, responding back to comments and messages. Don’t forget to interact with accounts in your niche!
Sound like a lot? It is, but let’s break it down for you. Repurposing your content is key. That one blog post you wrote? Make that into a savable infographic or a carousel that users can swipe through. In fact, Instagram recycles your carousel posts if users don’t interact by showing them a different slide than they’ve seen before. Better yet turn it into a video reel.
Don’t forget to share your content to Instagram, your website, social media and whichever platforms you’re established on. Actually listen to your audience by looking at which content performs the best and start creating more value-driven content from there. Look at your built-in analytics in Instagram or your host website and look at which content is getting the most clicks, saves, likes, comments and views.
Myth #2: In my industry, businesses don’t need content marketing.
Not true at all! Whether you’re a construction company or an organic beauty based company, you should be planning your content marketing strategy now. Think about what your values are as a company and start sharing that with your consumers.
For example, if you’re in the construction industry, start sharing which building materials are best fit for warmer and rainy climate areas. If you’re an organic beauty based company, what does your research show consumers why they should choose organic beauty based products over well-known luxury brands? Get creative with it!
Truth: Every industry can benefit from content marketing because there is so much information to learn and share out there. Clients or customers who are loyal to you and your brand chose you for a reason. Providing them with insider information or a behind-the-scenes look at how you run things expands upon your expertise and proves to your audience that yes in fact, you do know what you’re talking about.
Myth #3: The more content, the better.
After we just established that having content for your business is important and essential to growth, that doesn’t always equate to more being better, however. There are certain instagram strategies and tips that you can follow to gain more followers and grow that way (i.e. posting 4-5x a week to the feed, 5 stories a day, 5 reels a week). Again however, this is where your analytics and content strategy research comes in.
Bonus: If you need quick tips on growing your social media business, check out our blog post on this here.
Truth: When starting out, you really want to focus on the value you’re providing and build from there. It takes time and practice, but it will be so much more productive than burning yourselves out by posting mediocre content that your audience isn’t really resonating with.
Myth #4: Video marketing is just a trend and will go away soon.
There’s a reason users are swarming to TikTok and why YouTube started implementing their own version of reels onto their platform. Video marketing is here to stay and if your business isn’t showcasing any kind of video, then chances are you won’t be able to compete against other businesses in your industry that are.
This doesn’t mean that ALL of your posts need to be videos and you can’t have a successful growth strategy without them, but implementing them here and there will definitely benefit your small business in more ways than one.
Truth: 78% of users got more traffic to their website after using videos, according to RenderForest. Videos don’t need to be all that complicated, but they do need to be high-quality and thanks to the everyday use of smartphones, that’s all you need to get started.
We hope you now know the value in providing your users with value-driven content and the importance of implementing a content marketing strategy for your small business.
It’s no secret that content marketing can be overlooked anymore in 2021. It being worth a $300 billion industry speaks for itself (Content Marketing Institute, 2020).
With that said, we wish you luck on forming your content marketing strategy and hope you reap the benefits of your hard work soon. Trust us, you will!
Should you need any help with ways and tips to grow your small business, do not hesitate to reach out to us at bobomarketingservices@gmail.com. We would love to help!
We specialize in copywriting, social media content and management, digital media and graphic design and public relation services for small businesses.
What’s the wildest myth you’ve heard about Content Marketing? Do you believe Content Marketing is worth all that time and money? Tell us in the comment section!