The end of 2018 is in sight. Therefore, it’s time to look towards 2019 and how we can use it to our digital marketing advantages. While some marketing practices will decline in popularity as others rise, content marketing will be sure to remain prosperous.
Having a blog on your company website has many benefits. It can:
- Be a place to practice on-site SEO
- Help with search engine rankings
- Promote trust in your brand
- Offer useful information for your customers
What makes content marketing even better is it’s low-cost. In fact, content marketing costs 62% less than traditional marketing, while also generating 3times as many leads.
If you are a good writer, then you can write the content yourself. If you are not the best wordsmith, then you can hire the services of a freelance copywriter for ad-hoc work. There are also many businesses who help create SEO-optimized content, such as ourselves.
Content Marketing Strategies to Watch
Long-Form Content
“Weak” or “Thin” content is a no-go. Writing content for the purpose of keywords or because it looks good will not serve you well in the long-term. Instead, you should focus on in-depth, long-form content.
Search engines are rewarding businesses who engage in lengthier content, and readers are looking for substance and reliable sources when it comes to reading blog posts and articles online.
However, it is vital that your long-form content aligns with your business goals throughout. Do not lose sight as to why you are creating it.
“One of the best ways to sabotage your content is to not tie it to your goals. Know why you are creating content.”- Ellen Gomes, Senior Content Marketing Manager at Marketo
Long-form content should be over 2,000 words, and every word needs to count. It is also important to remember that long-form content should not waste the reader’s time, but be:
- Engaging
- Valuable
- Easy-to-read
- Shareable
- A quality resource
By producing long-form content, your business can be perceived as an industry leader. Invest in quality, long-form content and upload it to your blog and share across your business’s social media accounts. If you are yet to include a company blog on your Shopify store, our team of Shopify experts can help develop one that’s customized to your brand.
Social Media
Social media continues to reign supreme in the digital marketing world. Use such platforms to share your content and encourage consumers to further your reach by also sharing or liking them.
Remember, though, that social media platforms to use depends on your business’s niche, industry, and customers. LinkedIn achieved a 145% growth in users throughout 2018. Therefore, use this platform if you want to appeal to professionals.
It makes it easier for your business to share your blog posts, many e-commerce platforms such as Shopify allow for apps and plug-ins. Streamline your content marketing by asking a trusted Shopify developer which apps are best for sharing content on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and even Pinterest.
When it comes to writing headlines for your content, click-bait style headlines are well and truly dying out. Their ability to draw intrigue has now been replaced by frustration and distrust. Avoid having such headlines when sharing your content across social media.
Webinars, Podcasts and Live Video
Video marketing is a worthwhile investment. Consumers find them engaging and trustworthy, and the search engines think of videos as a valuable resource. Post videos on how to use certain products, newsworthy stories that are of interest to your customers, and offer behind the scenes footage to humanize your brand.
Podcasts are also proving popular nowadays. Set up a podcast and offer useful information. For instance, if you offer SEO services, you can have a weekly or fortnightly podcast talking about the latest trends, Google’s algorithms or the best practices to use right now.
Always know your audience when creating such content. Know their interests, likes, and dislikes, as well as their pain points.
“The best ingredient to a good story is understanding what your audience wants to hear.”- Gary Vaynerchuk, CEO of VaynerMedia
Both podcasts and video marketing also allow for creative flair. If your business allows it, you could, for instance, have the occasional just-for-fun podcasts about the worst and best-dressed celebrities on the red carpet if you have an online retail store.
Your videos, however, need to be:
- Mobile-friendly
- Engaging, unique and entertaining
- Be consistent
For help in creating unique content that is also primed for SEO, we offer a range of Shopify services. Not only can we guide you on the best content marketing practices, but our Shopify experts can help design your entire blog.
Continue Putting Your Audience First
Content should be completely catered for your customers’ needs. It is possible to have content that is both useful to your customers and clients while also being SEO optimized. However, without authenticity, your business will struggle to make a lasting impact on Millennials who require a connection before making a purchase.
“Content build relationships. Relationships are built on trust. Trust drives revenue.”- Andrew Davis, Marketing Speaker andBestselling Author
91% of consumers say they are willing to reward companies for being authentic. So, remember that each interaction you have with them matters. Content needs to be transparent. You may be plugging a new product, but rather than trying to create content around keywords, create content highlighting genuine benefits for the product and how it can be used.
Final Thoughts
Finding the balance between content that is created for customers but also for search engines is no simple task. It times skill, time and dedication. Therefore, by hiring a trusted team of Shopify experts, your content can continue to be effective in 2019.
***
Thank you again for showing interest in our blog. Please be sure to check out our portfolio.
Additionally, You can learn more about who were are here. We also have other news blog posts that are relevant and helpful.
Questions? Let us know in the comments below or contact us.
