Content marketing has evolved tremendously over the past few years, becoming crucial to a successful marketing plan. Having an audience is powerful when they can help position your company as a thought leader by sharing your content. By sharing your content, others will look toward your company to provide answers and knowledge relevant to their circumstances.
Using social media, a monthly newsletter, and participating in industry webinars and events are ways to become a thought leader in your industry. The one tie that these modes have in common is content. Make sure that the content you are creating or sharing has substance. Here are tips for using content to position yourself as a thought leader:
#1: Write with purpose. Creating content with substance means writing about topics you are passionate about and knowledgeable about. Trying to write about something unnatural to you is complex, and readers will be able to tell your article was not a labor of love. Writing takes practice, so choose topics you enjoy or hold interest with your clients to help make the process more enjoyable.
Not a writer? Hiring a content marketing service is a great way to help you achieve your content marketing goals.
#2: Be consistent. A consistent posting schedule keeps you top of mind with your audience and signals to Google that your site is reliable in producing new content. Consistent posting will also help your SEO (top Google result, anyone?).
Try using a tool like TeamUp or Hootsuite to help you maintain a consistent content calendar. Update the calendar with upcoming events or webinars, and remember to include these events in your content marketing plan.
#3: Check your facts. Content marketing depends on the relationship between your company, clients, and the target market you want to reach. Do not jeopardize this relationship by creating content that is not accurate and professional, and always include your resources. When readers trust your content, they are more likely to return to your website and social media pages for relevant, reliable, and educational content.