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Content marketing is a sales tool that is often overlooked or done incorrectly. In many cases, the failure of content marketing can be attributed to the lack of a coherent plan. However, developing a content marketing plan is actually quite simple. In this article, we will discuss two key aspects of a content marketing plan: creating content that leads to sales and tracking the effectiveness of the marketing efforts.
Why Content Marketing Matters
Content marketing is more than just creating generic blog posts and paid email lists. It has a purpose and meaning that goes beyond these superficial tactics. Good content marketing accomplishes two main goals: persuading more prospects to opt-in to the email list and pushing prospects already on the list further down the sales funnel.
In today’s digital landscape, traditional advertising methods like digital ads are becoming less effective and economical. Social marketing can be unreliable and slow in reaching the target market. This is where content marketing comes in. For startups and innovative companies, content marketing is not optional but mandatory. It is essential for customer education, engagement, and building trust.
The Sales Cycle Starts With an Email List
A well-developed opt-in email marketing list is the starting point of the sales cycle. This list acts as the flypaper that attracts prospects and guides them through the marketing funnel towards a sale. However, the content is what makes this flypaper sticky. Without valuable content that educates, engages, and builds trust, the email list becomes ineffective.
To attract more prospects to opt-in to the email list, it is crucial to deliver content to places where new subscribers can be found. While posting content on your own website is important, it is not enough. You need to broaden your reach by utilizing public outlets such as Medium or Substack. These platforms expose your content to a larger audience and increase the chances of attracting new subscribers.
It is important to include a link to a landing page on your website in your content. This landing page should have a clear opt-in form for visitors to join your email list. By directing new prospects to this landing page, you can effectively grow your email list.
Pushing Prospects Down the Sales Funnel
The bulk of your content should focus on pushing prospects further down the sales funnel. While your content should be able to attract new subscribers, its primary goal is to engage, educate, and build trust with existing subscribers. This is where the concept of “thought leadership” comes into play.
Thought leadership involves producing content that focuses on providing innovative solutions to complex problems. Your content should highlight the value and uniqueness of your product or service. It should address the problem, its scope, challenges, costs, and flaws in traditional solutions. By discussing these aspects, you can educate your readers and build trust in your expertise.
When creating content, it is important to write compelling titles that attract new subscribers. This can be a challenging task, as the title needs to be clever, concise, provocative, and informative all at once. While it is important to consider SEO rules when crafting titles, don’t solely focus on creating generic titles that blend in with the crowd. Instead, aim to create titles that capture the essence of your content and resonate with your target audience.
Execution and Tracking Results
Implementing a successful content marketing plan takes time and consistency. It is not a one-time effort but an ongoing process. To build a community of engaged prospects, you need to develop a content creation cadence. It is recommended to have a library of at least six or more posts before executing your plan.
Tracking the effectiveness of your content marketing efforts is crucial to optimizing your strategy. By analyzing metrics such as email open rates, click-through rates, and conversion rates, you can gain insights into what works and what doesn’t. This data will help you refine your content and make informed decisions to improve your results.
Expanding Beyond Written Content
While written content is a crucial part of content marketing, it is not the only option. Podcasting and video content can also be effective in engaging and educating your audience. These mediums allow you to reach a wider range of prospects and provide a more dynamic and interactive experience.
In conclusion, content marketing is a powerful sales tool that should not be overlooked. By creating valuable content and optimizing your strategy, you can attract more prospects to your email list and guide them through the sales funnel. Remember to track your results and adapt your approach as needed. With a well-executed content marketing plan, you can build a community of loyal customers and achieve long-term success.