By now, you’ve likely heard that content marketing is sweeping the nation as the leading form of advertising for businesses both small and large. But what is content marketing really and what makes it different from traditional marketing methods?
- 45% OF MARKETERS SAY BLOGGING IS THEIR #1 MOST IMPORTANT CONTENT STRATEGY.
- 81% OF MARKETERS FOUND THAT INCREASED TRAFFIC OCCURRED WITH AS LITTLE AS 6 HOURS PER WEEK INVESTED IN SOCIAL MEDIA MARKETING.
- 74% OF COMPANIES INDICATE CONTENT MARKETING IS INCREASING THEIR MARKETING TEAMS’ LEAD QUALITY AND QUANTITY.
Thanks to ad blockers, more than 200 million people worldwide aren’t seeing paid advertisements, which is great for consumers, but not so great for marketers who have now lost their leading form of advertising. But luckily, that’s where content marketing comes in. Not only does it give companies a way to get around ad blocking software, but it also engages the consumer. According to a 2016 survey by IBM, more than half of marketers believe custom content both increases brand awareness as well as generates more leads by connecting with consumers on a personal level.
Within the realm of content marketing, there are many ways to reach your target audience, including social media, email campaigns, case studies, infographics, white papers, video blogging, blog articles, etc. And while these types of marketing strategies undoubtedly require putting in more time than a simple, paid advertisement, businesses that use content marketing have reported conversion rates that are nearly six times higher than those who don’t, according to the Content Marketing Institute. Email campaigns are not only inexpensive but a beneficial way for businesses to gain information through opt-ins that are delivered right to the consumer’s inbox.
Blogging gives marketers an opportunity to create SEO as well as put out educational material for their target audience. Social media has become a place for customers to quickly engage with proprietors whether that is through tweets, Instagram posts, or Facebook messaging. No longer is it a question if businesses should employ these tactics, but a necessity to stay relevant.
Additionally, content marketing costs 62% less than outbound marketing and generates more than three times as many leads, according to Demand Metric. Content marketing may demand more time and skill, but it is a more cost-effective and, ultimately, more successful marketing strategy than many alternatives.
However, all of that said, 65% of B2B marketers report that they struggle to define what content is effective and what isn't, and that’s where we come in. At Enrich My Brand, we have a dedicated team of marketers who have been trained in understanding marketing analytics and identifying what kind of content will be most compelling to your target audience. We specialize in helping small businesses and entrepreneurs grow their online presence at an affordable rate while increasing site traffic and generating more leads for them. To learn more about our suite of services, please explore our site right here at enrichmybrand.com.
For a comprehensive guide on understanding content marketing, check out this in-depth article: What is Content Marketing?
