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Content marketing simplified

There’s a lot of chatter about content marketing out there. It’s hard to decide if and how it fits into your overall marketing plan. Here is a simple breakdown of what you need to know to get started.

What is it? Content marketing is simply the process for creating and distributing free content to attract, acquire and engage your audience — with the purpose of gaining and retaining customer action. In other words, delivering RELEVANT information to specific people that would attract them and ultimately win and retain them as a customer. This translates to artfully communicating your message without actually “selling.”

Why should I do it? It’s a way to build your brand while establishing a line of communication with your audience. It can attract prospects and customers, provide information, enhance your company’s search rankings, engage customers long-term and add credibility.

Where do I distribute? Most people think of blogs for sharing content, but social media should be first — there’s a reason more than 85% of companies use it. Start simple by using your social sites and then branch out to more sophisticated ways of sharing content such as videos or podcasts.

How do I implement? The most important thing is to start with a strategy. You will waste effort and resources if you don’t have a plan. After you’ve settled on a strategy, develop a small, realistic goal. Emphasis on the REALISTIC. Converting 100% of people that visit your website is not realistic. Next, decide on your objectives — or how you’re going to accomplish these newly developed goals. Finally, create an xlsxeditorial calendar that allows you to plan exactly what you will post, and when.

Now what? Remember, this is a process. Monitor your successes and failures, learn from your customers’ behaviors. Get smarter. The trap is set.

Contributors

Julie FosterJulie Foster

Account Executive

While the majority of Julie’s experience is in the marketing and advertising field, she’s blundered her way through roles for which she felt extremely out of her element: makeup artist, costume designer and props master.

Lindsay HenryLindsay Henry

Lindsay Henry has over 12 years of communications and professional writing experience across several industries. Her keen understanding of the written word and establishing voice through copy is a major asset in achieving key communication objectives with clarity and creativity.

Greg BranchGreg Branch

When Greg started writing advertising, state-of-the-art meant sticks and clay tablets. For over 40 years, he never seemed to run out of new ways to say things. Greg unexpectedly passed away in 2019 after serving as AMPM’s brand strategist for eight years. His quick wit, gentle demeanor and talent with words is sorely missed, but we are all grateful to have worked with and called him our friend.

Julie BattleJulie K. Battle

There are few roles Julie hasn’t held in the advertising agency business. Everything from copywriter, account executive, creative director, film director, agency owner and several she won’t admit to.

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