An inbound marketing strategy can secure you a massive influx of new leads, but only with the right types of content.
Content marketing strategies are becoming more popular across many industries, and for good reason. Inbound marketing through a regular content syndication strategy is a cheap, efficient way to reach a wide audience without annoying people with salesy advertising. But simply having a content strategy isn’t enough to make your inbound marketing campaign effective.
Marketing writer Lisa Gerber recently published a short feature on the various types of content that exist, and how they generate leads. She identifies four types of content that are critical to the success of a content marketing strategy:
· Content that answers questions that most people have
· Content that shares customer stories to create a crowd appeal
· Content that addresses tough topics in a unique or valuable way
· Content that presents an industry study as valuable information
While these four strategies are perfectly acceptable types for a solid content direction, I’ve found different types of content to be more effective for generating more leads in a startup tech company:
1. Fast Answers. Somewhat related to content that answers a question, I define “fast answer” content as written content that simplifies an answer to a complex question. People need answers immediately, presented in a way that is easily scannable and quotable.
2. Case Studies. If you’re offering advice in a certain space or if you’re trying to demonstrate your product’s value, there’s nothing better than a real case study. Make it as personal as possible, and the leads will come in droves.
3. Challenges. Content that presents an opinion contradicting what’s popularly accepted will always get lots of attention. Take a chance by taking a firm stance on a popular issue—and one that isn’t extremely popular. Back up your opinion with facts and be prepared to address the critics. Challenges get noticed.
4. Humor. Don’t write humor for the sake of humor, but try to present your content in a funny or amusing way. Not only is it going to be far more shareable, it will also be more relatable, and people who see your personality will be more likely to do business with you.
Incorporate these four types of content into your editorial calendar regularly, and over time you’ll see amazing results.
Check out the original story here
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