Content Marketing - Ideas Generation
Content marketing and content generation is going to form a big part of your SEO strategy. By regularly producing blog posts, articles and other web content you will:
• Boost your link building activities
• Drive traffic to your sales site
• Add value to your customers
• Position yourself as an expert in your field
• Increase your online exposure
No matter what industry you are involved with, you can use the power of content marketing to drive targeted to traffic to your website.
That's the easy bit - the hard part is coming up with a constant stream of ideas.
What do I write about?
We've all experienced it. You up against tight deadlines, you're not in the mood to write a blog and on top of all that, you have no idea what to write about.
But you actually have a constant source of ideas, the key is working out how to access them.
I'm a copywriter and so tend to write about tips on sales writing, marketing and using social media. If you are a website designer you can perhaps write about new thinking in your industry, how to structure a website, or how to get the most out of your site and offer advice on styling or structure.
OK, so you're neither of those buy you can still blog about your core business. Offer readers hints, tips and 'how to' articles. Anything that's relevant to your audience will drive traffic if you remember to use your keywords especially as hypertext back links.
How to harness your ideas
Coming up with constant ideas sounds simple, but there will be times when you're hit by the dreaded writer's block.
So what do you do when it strikes. Here are 8 tips to help you banish the dreaded block for good:
1. Fresh air brain storming
Have a change of scenery, get out of the office and go for a long walk. Take a note pad or Dictaphone with you so you don't forget your blinding flash of inspiration when it strikes.
2. Write what you like
If you write about something that you're interested in you'll find the words flow much easier. You already have the knowledge so no research is necessary and your passion for your subject will shine through.
3. What if…
It you want to write you must read. Reading around your subject is a great way to spark ideas. Inspiration can come from anywhere - other blogs, magazines even TV programmes. If you come across something interesting think about the subject from a different angle - that's where the what if comes it.
4. Outline
It's rare for someone to just sit down and churn out an article in one go. Try starting with an outline or list of bullet points. That will help you consolidate your ideas into a coherent and interesting post.
5. Put it away
If once you manage to get some ideas down you find it's still not coming together, out it aside for a day or two. Leaving it alone and coming back with fresh ideas could be enough to spark your creativity.
6. Read a magazine
Reading any sort of material can help the creative process - they don't even have to be from your industry. An article in a magazine or newspaper can trigger an idea especially if a topical event can be seen to affect your industry.
7. Fancy a coffee?
Get out and meet up with some old friends in your local coffee shop. Conversations can be a great source of materials as you exchange ideas.
8. Swipe file
A swipe file can be either a paper or electronic means of storing great examples of articles, letters, headlines etc that have really caught your eye. The idea isn't to copy them but to learn from them and they could also be another great source of inspiration.
Content marketing is a great tool for business and shouldn't be ignored. As a copywriter I've been doing it for sometime and it really works. Give it a try - you might just enjoy it and you'll certainly enjoy the benefits it brings to your business.
• Boost your link building activities
• Drive traffic to your sales site
• Add value to your customers
• Position yourself as an expert in your field
• Increase your online exposure
No matter what industry you are involved with, you can use the power of content marketing to drive targeted to traffic to your website.
That's the easy bit - the hard part is coming up with a constant stream of ideas.
What do I write about?
We've all experienced it. You up against tight deadlines, you're not in the mood to write a blog and on top of all that, you have no idea what to write about.
But you actually have a constant source of ideas, the key is working out how to access them.
I'm a copywriter and so tend to write about tips on sales writing, marketing and using social media. If you are a website designer you can perhaps write about new thinking in your industry, how to structure a website, or how to get the most out of your site and offer advice on styling or structure.
OK, so you're neither of those buy you can still blog about your core business. Offer readers hints, tips and 'how to' articles. Anything that's relevant to your audience will drive traffic if you remember to use your keywords especially as hypertext back links.
How to harness your ideas
Coming up with constant ideas sounds simple, but there will be times when you're hit by the dreaded writer's block.
So what do you do when it strikes. Here are 8 tips to help you banish the dreaded block for good:
1. Fresh air brain storming
Have a change of scenery, get out of the office and go for a long walk. Take a note pad or Dictaphone with you so you don't forget your blinding flash of inspiration when it strikes.
2. Write what you like
If you write about something that you're interested in you'll find the words flow much easier. You already have the knowledge so no research is necessary and your passion for your subject will shine through.
3. What if…
It you want to write you must read. Reading around your subject is a great way to spark ideas. Inspiration can come from anywhere - other blogs, magazines even TV programmes. If you come across something interesting think about the subject from a different angle - that's where the what if comes it.
4. Outline
It's rare for someone to just sit down and churn out an article in one go. Try starting with an outline or list of bullet points. That will help you consolidate your ideas into a coherent and interesting post.
5. Put it away
If once you manage to get some ideas down you find it's still not coming together, out it aside for a day or two. Leaving it alone and coming back with fresh ideas could be enough to spark your creativity.
6. Read a magazine
Reading any sort of material can help the creative process - they don't even have to be from your industry. An article in a magazine or newspaper can trigger an idea especially if a topical event can be seen to affect your industry.
7. Fancy a coffee?
Get out and meet up with some old friends in your local coffee shop. Conversations can be a great source of materials as you exchange ideas.
8. Swipe file
A swipe file can be either a paper or electronic means of storing great examples of articles, letters, headlines etc that have really caught your eye. The idea isn't to copy them but to learn from them and they could also be another great source of inspiration.
Content marketing is a great tool for business and shouldn't be ignored. As a copywriter I've been doing it for sometime and it really works. Give it a try - you might just enjoy it and you'll certainly enjoy the benefits it brings to your business.
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