If you know how to create an effective content marketing strategy, half the battle is won. Content is still king and content creators know this.
An effective content marketing strategy is essential for the success of any business.
This is why you need to know the true definition of content and what quality content means.
Content Marketing Definition – Keep It Simple
Content is the information that you have to offer to the users. Expert content creators are able to produce high-quality content after carefully considering search intent. High-quality content provides value to the customer and ensures a higher ranking.
It is a well-known fact that content with higher quality ranks better on google. Google lets us observe user behavior by studying data like bounce rate, click-through rate and pogo sticking, etc.
Most experts don’t get tired of repeating that when it comes to content, quality always beats quantity. It is seen that the link that is ranked #1 gets 10 times more traffic compared to a link that is ranked #10.
If you are top-ranked for multiple keywords, you can even get 30 times more traffic compared to your competitors.
By writing a better article with high-quality content, you have the potential of bringing 30 times more traffic. Who wouldn’t like that?
Tip #1 – Search intent
The “WHY” Behind a Search Query
Search intent just means the intention with which users go on the web. Basically, users are looking for something. Why they are searching makes the search intent.
Do they want information?
Are they looking to buy something?
Google wants to bring people to the most relevant pages. If content creators think about search intent while creating a piece of content, they are able to optimize the content in a way that serves the user.
Here are some essential factors you need to consider
– The right format
– The right headings
– How deep the content goes into the subject
– Is the information for beginners or advanced users?
Tip#2: Know the Value of Time
One of the most important factors that content creators need to keep in mind is time. All users are different. Some users are looking for information in a quick snippet or an infographic. On the other hand, others are looking for detailed information on a certain topic.
You have to make sure that you get to the point. The key to success is to understand what the users want and give it to them in the easiest way possible.
Also Read: The Best Instagram Marketing Guide to Boost Your Brand
Tip #3: Make the Content Easily Scannable
In an eye-tracking study by Nielsen Norman Group, it was found that readers go through the content on web pages in the shape of the letter – “F”
The reader starts reading from the upper left part of the page and then goes on to the right. Then they do this again after going a little below.
Then they start to scan the page in a straight line on the left, looking for relevant headlines and subheadings. They start looking only for important phrases related to the topic or information they are looking for.
So, an effective content creation strategy would be to write the content according to the F-shaped reading method.
Use the main words related to the query or the topic at the beginning of your paragraphs.
Make sure the important keywords are on the left of the page. Highlight the main words or phrases to grab the reader’s attention. You can also use bullet points and subheadings to distribute the content evenly throughout the page.
You have to make the page easily readable and scannable.
Tip #4: Give Complete Information
Google wants users to get all relevant information at the same place so that they don’t have to hop from one page to another. This is why content creators need to make their content as complete or comprehensive as possible.
The key is to find the right balance. You have to keep the content interesting and interactive as well as informative.
– Create content that promotes action
– Enhance trust by linking to additional resources
– Avoiding jargon so that even complete beginners can benefit from the content
– Helping the user identify the task at hand so that they know they have found the right resource
– Define the information or topic which brought the reader to your page. This acts like an affirmation and keeps them on the page.
Tip #5 – Refresh Your Content to Stay Relevant
As content creators, you need to be on your toes regarding new information.
There are a lot of reasons why updating the content regularly is essential
– If the topic is dynamic, your content might become outdated and irrelevant
– Old or outdated information often gets treated as incorrect information which is harmful to rankings
– Google updates might change the way Google looks at your content
– Refreshing the content is necessary to stay relevant according to search intent
– Your competitors will keep adding up-to-date information to their pages and you need to do it too
Tip #6: Know Your Audience – Talk Like They Do!
It is essential to know the demographic information of your audience. Surveying your potential audience gives you a great head start which saves a lot of work later.
If you have a younger audience, you might have to bring in some changes in the way you convey information. You might consider creating more interactive pages with cool infographics.
Many content creators are creatively using ‘memes’ to convey information to younger audiences. Your goal is to reach the right audience and make them stay through an immersive experience.
You have to modify your content according to the information you have about your readers. This is how you will always have the edge over your competitors.
Another important factor in knowing your audience is knowing who your competitors are targeting. These were some of the best tips to create a content strategy that works and gets you results.