Don’t Need Content Marketing? Think Again

Most people perceive the Internet as a treasure trove of information, and they expect almost every website they visit to meet this expectation. To stay relevant, websites nowadays can’t afford to remain static; rather, they need to deliver something akin to news stories, encyclopaedic entries, editorial pieces, and the like. None of these is possible without an excellent content marketing strategy.

 

Statistics say the same thing. A 2011 survey has revealed that 78 percent of consumers are more likely to work with businesses that regularly provide excellent online content. The idea is that consumers perceive such a business to be interested in their well-being, thanks to the information provided for free. In fact, internet users spend 20 percent of their time browsing and reading content-heavy websites.

 

Content marketing is deemed essential for several other practical reasons. For instance, Google’s search engine algorithms are the biggest reason certain websites are more popular than others. Such algorithm updates, which number at about 500 per year, put great stock in websites that produce fresh, relevant, and good-quality content.

 

Originally, these updates were rolled out to discourage underhanded or “black hat” online marketing strategies, but now they also target websites that don’t provide enough relevant content to internet users. Reliable content marketing is, therefore, the best way for a website to remain in Google’s good graces.

How to Create Content Readers Love to Share

You’re probably aware of the benefits of content marketing for your business. In fact, you’ve probably made content writing a regular part of your business operations—yet, why doesn’t it seem to be working as well as others claim it should?

If you find yourself asking this question, your content might not be getting enough shares on social media. The effectiveness of content marketing depends on the amount of readers you have, and there is no better way to increase your reach than to have your content shared and read by hundreds—if not thousands—of social media users. That in mind, here are a few tips to help you out:

Stunning Visuals

People love visuals, meaning they’ll respond better to your content when pictures and videos are present. At the same time, several studies have shown that people are more likely to share content with pictures or videos.

Tell a Story

When writing your content, take the time to tell a story related to the point(s) you’re trying to make. A story makes your content more relatable; and if people can relate to what you’re saying, the more they’re inclined share your content.

Ask

Sometimes, all it takes to get your content shared is to simply ask your readers to share it on their social media profiles. For better results, try adding a raffle or other promotion where a reader that shared your work gets a prize for doing so.