Here's What We're Talking About...Content Marketing

We've all heard the phrase content is king, but 70% of marketers lack a consistent or integrated content strategy (Curata). Most companies know that content marketing is necessary for success, but have no idea how to start creating and promoting effective content to bring in leads. Companies with content strategy plans, have seen a lot of success: “36% of companies with a documented content strategy indicate their content marketing is “very effective” or “extremely effective.” (Content Marketing Institute/MarketingProfs). To get started with content marketing, all you have to do is come up with an idea, put pen to paper (JK, put your fingers on your keyboard) and start writing!

To help you figure out how to improve your content marketing strategy and start engaging in effective content marketing here's what we're talking about...

This blog post is part of “Your Definitive Guide to Lead Generation” blog series.

Article

Your Content Marketing Strategy Doesn't Have To Be Complicated via. HBR

“Data from the Content Marketing Institute also shows that only 30% of B2B marketers say their organizations are effective at content marketing”

This article talks about how most companies just jump into content marketing without really thinking about what they are doing, and what results they want to see. The article then goes into a simple way to make sure your content marketing is effective, focus on the five Ws (and one H) before you start writing your content to make sure it is business centric and also customer aware.

Why Content Marketing Is Important via. Business 2 Community

“When you market your content effectively, you should see that reflected in your sales”

This article talks about the four main ways that content marketing is effective for your business and goes into depth on each point: increase business, content is helpful, boosts interaction and builds the brand.

Understanding how to market your blog is a crucial component of your content marketing strategy overall. This article discusses some rules of blogging with quality content in mind.

The Beginners Guide to Content Marketing via. Moz

“Content is anything that communicates a message to the audience”

This comprehensive guide is broken down into 9 different chapters discussing all aspects of content marketing. The chapters include what content marketing is, content strategy, content and the marketing funnel, building a framework, content ideation, content creation, promotion, analysis and maintenance and growth.

SlideShare

7 Content Marketing Trends That Matter in 2017 via Convince and Convert

“89% of marketers are using content marketing but only 19% think current efforts are very successful”

This article talks about seven important trends in content marketing that your business should be engaging in in this new year. The seven tends include: mapping customer micro-moments, creating content for current customers, on the fly content creation, brands move from fiction to non-fiction, content testing, augmented reality and virtual reality, and finally goodbye specialist, hello generalist.

Infographic

The 75 Essential Content Marketing Stats via Ion Interactive

The infographic full of statistics about how ineffective most companies' content marketing is and how important content marketing is for your company.

Podcast

Get Your Content House in Order via. Online Marketing Made Easy by Amy Porterfield

“It builds respect, affinity and trust with your audience”

This podcast talks about how important consistent content creation is for your business. Content marketing has proven to get more conversions which can lead to more revenue and happier CEOs. For more on conversion rate optimization, check out our Inbound Hack series.

Want to understand content marketing as it pertains to your blog specifically? We have you covered with Campaign Creators' Rules to Blog by. This free checklist will help you optimize your blog for readibility, reach, and SEO. Click to download below!

Do you have a documented content marketing strategy? We'd love to hear from you in the comments below.