17 Actionable Content Marketing Tips

Content marketing is a crucial strategy for businesses looking to attract more visitors, generate leads, and drive sales. However, it can be challenging to achieve success in this competitive landscape. To help you improve your content marketing efforts, we have compiled a list of 17 actionable tips that will help you create and promote high-quality content. These tips will not only boost your search engine rankings but also engage your target audience and drive conversions. Let’s dive into the details.

1. Focus on SEO

Search engine optimization (SEO) plays a vital role in content marketing success. By targeting topics that people are searching for, you can drive consistent search traffic to your website. To find these topics, you can use tools like Ahrefs’ Keywords Explorer. Enter a topic relevant to your industry, and explore the matching terms report to discover potential topics that align with your website’s focus.

2. Know your audience

Creating content for the wrong audience will not lead to conversions. It’s crucial to clearly define your target audience and create content that appeals to their needs and interests. If you already know your audience, make sure to document it and share it with your team. If you’re unsure about your target audience, you can use a buyer persona template to figure it out for your business.

3. Swipe competitors’ best topics

Analyzing your competitors’ successful content can provide valuable insights for your own content marketing strategy. By using tools like Ahrefs’ Site Explorer, you can enter a competitor’s domain and explore their top pages report to identify the topics that generate the most search traffic for them. You can then consider creating similar content to attract the same audience.

4. Prioritize topics with business value

To generate sales and leads, it’s important to prioritize topics that have a high “business value.” These are the topics where you can naturally mention your product or service in the content. By focusing on these topics, you increase the chances of driving conversions. Evaluate the potential business value of each topic and prioritize those that score 2 or above.

5. Optimize for search intent

Understanding the search intent behind a query is crucial for ranking high on search engine results pages (SERPs). Google aims to provide users with the most relevant search results, so analyzing the SERPs for your target keywords can help you align your content with search intent. By creating content that matches the search intent, you increase the likelihood of ranking higher in search results.

6. Create a content calendar

A content calendar is a valuable tool for organizing, managing, and scheduling your content. It helps you keep track of upcoming content, including topics, authors, contributors, status, and due dates. With a content calendar, you can ensure that your team stays aligned and that you consistently publish content. This regular publishing schedule can contribute to the growth of your website.

7. Design shareable images

Visual content is highly shareable and can help your content reach a wider audience. Create images that simplify complex topics and make them visually appealing. You can use tools like Canva to design shareable images without breaking the bank. By incorporating visually appealing images into your content, you increase the chances of it being shared and gaining more exposure.

8. Promote content across channels

Publishing high-quality content is not enough; you need to actively promote it to reach your target audience. Share your content through various channels, such as newsletters, social media, and outreach to influencers or industry experts. Running ads on platforms like Facebook and Twitter can also help you amplify your content’s reach. The more you promote your content, the more visibility and engagement it will receive.

9. Repurpose top-performing content

Content repurposing allows you to extend the lifespan of your best-performing content. Instead of creating new content from scratch, repurpose existing content into different formats. For example, you can turn a blog post into a video or transform a blog series into an ebook. By repurposing content, you can reach new audiences and gain more exposure without investing significant time and resources.

10. Don’t sweat the word count

Contrary to popular belief, longer content does not always lead to more organic traffic. Quality and relevance are more important than word count. Focus on covering the topic thoroughly and providing valuable insights to your audience. Cut out unnecessary fluff and get straight to the point. This approach will keep your readers engaged and increase the chances of them sharing your content.

11. Keep your content updated

Content can become outdated over time, which can negatively impact your search rankings. Regularly update your content to ensure it remains relevant and provides accurate information. Use tools like the free WordPress SEO plugin to identify articles that need updating. By keeping your content fresh and up to date, you improve its chances of ranking higher in search results.

12. Be opinionated

To stand out from the crowd, share your opinions and unique perspectives in your content. If your content is similar to what others are producing, there is no reason for people to choose your content over others. Expressing strong opinions can help differentiate your content and make it more engaging. However, ensure that your opinions are backed by relevant facts and evidence to maintain credibility.

13. Publish different content types

Diversify your content by publishing different types to achieve various content marketing goals. Depending on your objectives, you may need search-optimized content to drive traffic, linkbait to attract backlinks, sales enablement content to support your sales team, and thought leadership content to establish authority in your industry. By creating a mix of content types, you cater to different audience preferences and increase your chances of success.

14. Build content hubs

Content hubs are collections of interlinked content that revolve around a specific topic. By creating content hubs, you make it easier for your readers to discover related content and navigate through your website. This organized approach enhances the user experience and encourages visitors to explore more of your content. Create hub pages that link together relevant pieces of content to improve engagement and increase time spent on your website.

15. Use AI tools as a content partner

Artificial intelligence (AI) tools can complement your content marketing efforts by assisting with various tasks. You can use AI writing tools to brainstorm headlines, generate blog post ideas, reword sentences, and more. By leveraging AI tools, you can save time and focus on strategic aspects of content creation, such as developing a solid content strategy, conducting interviews, and injecting personal experiences.

16. Publish original research

Original research is highly valuable in the content marketing world. Journalists and bloggers often seek data and statistics to support their claims, making original research a sought-after resource. If you have access to data, consider publishing research studies or conducting surveys to provide unique insights and establish yourself as an authority in your industry. Original research can attract high-quality backlinks and drive organic traffic to your website.

17. Reach more people with videos

Video content is becoming increasingly popular and can significantly enhance your content marketing efforts. YouTube, the second-largest search engine, offers opportunities to engage with a broader audience and showcase your product or service in action. Consider creating video content to complement your written content. By incorporating videos into your content strategy, you can attract a wider audience and increase brand visibility.

In conclusion, implementing these content marketing tips can help you improve your strategy and achieve better results. From focusing on SEO and understanding your audience to repurposing content and leveraging AI tools, these tips cover various aspects of content creation and promotion. Remember to prioritize quality, relevance, and user experience in your content, and consistently analyze and optimize your efforts to drive continuous growth. Embrace the power of content marketing and take your business to new heights.

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