9 Easy Steps on How to Build a Strong Content Marketing Plan
“I think if you’re starting out early in the process by talking about your ideas for solutions, you’re already not listening. I think you need to enter into any design project with that Zen learner’s mind of ‘I don’t know what I don’t know’.”
– Kim Goodwin
Have you just started building a strong content marketing plan, and you don’t know what you should do first? Well, you came to the perfect place. We made a list of 9 easy steps on how to build a strong content marketing plan. But first of all, you need to understand what’s a content marketing plan before heading head first in the expertise.
Content marketing is basically any marketing that involves the creation of media and publishing content, so it may acquire and keep users. From news, videos, white papers, e-books, to infographics, case studies, how-to guides, and even Q&A articles. Of course, the list doesn’t end there, but you wouldn’t want to read just terms.
Content marketing has its roots back in 1891 when August Oetker, the German inventor of baking powder, started selling small packages of his “Backin” baking powder to homes, with his recipe on the back. He went on his path to success, and in 1911, he published a very successful cookbook, that everyone adored.
In 2014, Forbes Magazine stated that content marketing has grown by 93% from the previous year. So what are you waiting for? Get ready to learn, scroll down, and let’s see what this content marketing is all about.
1. Have a plan
This is the first step in anything you do. Have a plan, a solid one is preferred, but a plan is a plan. Make it so that it’s adjustable to whatever may come. You need to know when you shall develop content, what content is that, and when to post and share it on social medias. Timing is of utter essence here. Why do you think World of Warcraft is so popular?
They rode the bandwagon by releasing their game, almost unfinished keep that in mind, immediately after the Lord of The Ring movies boom. Why did I say unfinished? Well, because they had tons of bugs, and not all the content was available. Like high-end dungeon raids or neat item sets. The key is to have a plan, and stick with it, adjust it if you see fit!
2. Focus on quality, not quantity
Do you want to spam your users with terribly made posters? Or just share news from 10 years ago? No, you don’t want that. You want quality over quantity. You want top notch information to make the user come back for more. You want him to get addicted to your services, not feel disgust when it hears your brand’s name.
3. Make sharable content
How else is the word going to spread that you are the man? You need to make shareable content, so it goes viral. Naturally! Not forced, because it can backfire in a thousand ways. Recently Nissan made an Ask Me Anything interview on Reddit. They hired people to ask them questions and at the same time saying how happy and grateful they are because they offer high-quality products. That backfired in a horrible way. It’s a PR nightmare.
4. Focus on your audience
If you are creating news content, stick to that domain. People don’t want to hear your friends newest song that is available on Beatport for 9,99$. If you are a how to guide website, please, spare me the spam about how I definitely need to buy that refrigerator because I could get a coupon for your products. Keep the focus on your audience, and don’t stray. Find your niche and respect your users.
5. Keep your audience engaged
You need to keep them wanting for more, or they will leave, and they won’t be coming back. You know why? Because they found another website, which keeps them engaged. How can you do this? Well, hire a social media administrator that regularly takes care of your users. Engage with them, answer their questions like a human being, not like a robot. And if we are on this topic, don’t automate your responses – it’s the most horrible thing you can do.
Everyone will consider that you don’t give 2 cents on your users, and you just want their money. Empathize with them, but keep a clear limit between you two entities. Remember that he is a prospecting client, and the prospecting client must be treated like a prince. Not a king, because a king is always right, regardless of the situation. But like a prince, a young prince that you need to suck up to, so he gives you that favor you were asking for oh so long.
6. Keep learning continuously
Business are moving at an exponential rate every year. New technology is available every month; new information is on your toes every second. You need to be always moving, so you won’t fall behind. Trust me, you don’t want to fall behind in this competitive market. It’s incredible hard to bounce back
7. Create a timeline
You need to create a timeline for yourself, and on that timeline you need to set some goals. Goals that you need to achieve that you must achieve if you desire to strive in this competitive market.
8. Review your data
It’s crucial that you review your data once every 3 months, so you have an idea on what direction you’re heading towards. It is failure or success that you are seeking here?
9. Who is your customer?
Do a little bit of research and see who is your customer, and who looks at your products, who engages with you, who buys your stuff. That way you will learn how to keep him to yourself, and not flee to other markets.
This was our 9 easy steps on how to build a strong content marketing plan. We hope it will help in your path to achieving greatness. If you have anything to add, please feel free to do so by posting in the comments section below. We would love to hear from you!
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