In order to rank on Google – no matter how many times the SEO (Search Engine Optimization) rules change – the one thing you must do is generate great content! All the time.
Producing great content regularly is easier said than done, right? Having to come to grips with the phrase ‘Content Marketing’ is confusing and frightening enough as it is. To start with, you might not even know what it means, and if you do, how do you keep up with your competitors? Sometimes, it’s easier to put your head in the ground and pretend this whole ‘online marketing’ thing is just a fad and will end soon.
Well, we’ll try to break it to you gently then: You must invest in online marketing because it’s here to stay! It’s scary because it’s relatively new and constantly changing. However, the one thing that will always be true is that in order to market your brand online effectively, you need to consistently generate good content. Content that is credible, engaging, fresh and memorable.
If you’re avoiding the online platform as a marketing tool because you’re afraid or confused, then we’re going to let you in on a little secret: Put all the rules for SEO, social media, blogging, etc. aside. They keep changing anyway. And instead, focus on just one thing – creating good content! Well written and engaging content is, and will always be, one of the most important things you can have online. And that’s true irrespective of how, or when Google’s algorithms change, or the arrival of any new social media marketing new trends. In other words, if all you do is create great content regularly, you’re already making an impact online.
Here are the 10 rules to creating good content:
- Write what you know and what you’re comfortable with. Don’t try to be clever or funny – that’s someone else’s talent altogether.
- Bullet points are good. They’re quick and to the point. But remember, be authentic, say it like it is, don’t use industry jargon and keep it simple. People lose interest if they don’t understand.
- Don’t speak about yourself; speak to your market. Put yourself in their shoes and give them what THEY want to read.
- Don’t brag about your business. Instead, give readers facts, figures, case studies and testimonials. That goes hand-in-glove with – Don’t ‘hard sell’ your products and services, unless you’re offering a real benefit to the reader like a special or a giveaway.
- Use visual aids where possible. People relate instantly to pictures and videos.
- Make time to plan your content. Diarise at least 2-4 hours a week to produce your own content as well as to search the internet for links to good articles, memorable quotes and other inspiration that you could use.
- Use buzzsumo.com as a way to find current content. The website finds articles that will inspire your own. Or you can simply post the link of an appropriate article and let your readers follow the trail themselves. But don’t ever plagiarise. You can post links to other people’s content, but you can’t copy and pasting a story and call it your own, that’s plagiarism.
- Always relate the content you post online back to your business or your industry. While great content is the name of the game, your objective is to generate leads. So, always ask yourself, “Will the content I’m posting engage my market and convince them to call me at the same time?”
- Be patient. Marketing your business online may not bring instant sales, even if you have great content. But it is creating powerful brand awareness to the billions of people surfing the net.
- If creating fresh and regular content sounds daunting, then employ a writer who understands the online platform. Employing a professional writer is both affordable and excellent value for money.
If you are a small to medium business owner, and you know you need great content but don’t have the time, or inclination to do it yourself, then check out our effective and affordable content-generating products at http://10plusmedia.co.za/products/ and give us a call.
