13 Key Types of Content Marketing to Increase Engagement and ROI
Do you want to improve your website’s engagement and ROI but don’t know where to start?
Content marketing is a great and flexible way to achieve those goals. However, failing to understand the most effective types of content marketing can result in low website traffic and conversion rates.
In this blog post, we’ll look at some of the most effective types of content marketing and how you can start using them in your business.
Types of Content Marketing
If you’re a small business owner or entrepreneur, you’ve likely heard the term “content marketing” thrown around a lot.
Content marketing comes in many different forms, but one common thread is that it all aims to promote a brand or product through interesting and informative content.
It’s also important to remember that the best approach for your business will depend on your audience, your product or service, and your goals.
That being said, let’s take a look at some of the most popular types of content marketing:
1. Blog Posts
Blogging is the most popular type of content marketing, and for good reason.
A well-written blog post can promote your brand, build trust with your audience, and generate leads and sales. It’s also a great way to show off your expertise and build authority in your industry.
Typically, blog posts are written in a casual and conversational style, making them easy to read and digest. Be sure to focus on quality over quantity; you’ll soon see the results in your website traffic and engagement.
2. Infographics
As the name suggests, an infographic is a visual representation of information, usually presented in the form of a chart or graph.
What makes infographics so effective and convincing is that they can take complex data and present it in a way that’s easy to understand. That’s why infographics are often used to explain concepts or share statistics.
Because they’re visually appealing, infographics are great for sharing on social media.
3. Videos
A powerful video can reach a wide audience and leave a lasting impression. Videos have become increasingly popular in recent years, and there’s no sign of that trend slowing down.
There are a few reasons for this, such as:
- People are more likely to watch a video than read an article.
- Video is an incredibly engaging medium that can tell stories, evoke emotions, and capture attention.
- It’s easy to distribute video content far and wide thanks to platforms like YouTube and social media.
- You can pack a lot of information into a short video, making it perfect for those who are short on time.
If you don’t have the budget for a professionally-produced video, consider simply recording yourself giving a presentation.
4. Ebooks and Whitepapers
Ebooks and whitepapers are great for providing in-depth information on a topic, and they’re an excellent way to position yourself as an expert in your field.
- Ebooks: Ebooks can be given away for free on your website or used as lead generation tools by asking potential customers to provide their contact information in exchange for the ebook. They’re often used to introduce a new product or service or to offer valuable tips and advice.
- Whitepapers: Whitepapers, on the other hand, are usually longer and more comprehensive in nature. They often delve into the nitty-gritty of a particular topic and can be used to establish thought leadership in your industry.
5. Social Media Posts
Social media posts can be a great option for many businesses. They are relatively quick and easy to create and allow you to reach a large audience with relatively minimal effort.
One of the great things about social media posts is that they’re extremely versatile. You can use them to promote your brand, share interesting news, or just give your followers a behind-the-scenes look at your business.
Plus, social media posts are highly shareable, meaning your message can spread quickly and easily. You can use social media posts to generate leads and sales with the right strategy.
6. Case Studies
Case studies are stories that showcase how a product or service has helped a real customer solve a problem. They provide an opportunity to demonstrate the value of what you’re offering in a relatable and concrete way.
Unlike other forms of marketing content, case studies are usually very specific and detailed. They often include:
- Quotes
- Statistics
- First-hand accounts from customers
This makes them highly persuasive and valuable for generating leads and moving prospects through the sales funnel.
7. Testimonials
Testimonials are short statements from customers that praise your product or service. They can be used on your website, in emails, or in social media posts.
What makes testimonials so effective is that they come from a real customer with first-hand experience with your business. This makes them much more credible than anything you could say about your own company.
Plus, testimonials can help build trust and credibility, two essential ingredients for generating leads and making sales.
By featuring testimonials from satisfied customers on your website or in your marketing materials, you can show potential buyers that your product or service is effective and trustworthy.
8. Paid Advertising
Paid advertising is one of the most common forms of content marketing. Sometimes called “native advertising,” paid advertising takes many different forms but always includes some form of promotion or endorsement by the advertiser.
This involves paying to have your content placed on a website or other online platform. Paid advertising has the advantage of reaching a large audience quickly and effectively.
However, it can also be very expensive, so it’s important to carefully consider your goals and objectives before investing in a paid advertising campaign.
9. Email Marketing
Emails are not what they used to be a decade ago. With the introduction of responsive design, they now look great on all devices.
Email marketing is a type of content marketing that involves sending out email newsletters, announcements, and other promotional material to a list of subscribers.
The advantage of email marketing is that it’s a highly effective way to reach your audience because mobile devices have high open and click-through rates.
In fact, roughly 81% of email recipients favor checking their messages on mobile devices. This is because people these days are always on the go and prefer to consume content that’s easily accessible on their smartphones and tablets.
10. Podcasts
If you’re not already using podcasts as part of your content marketing strategy, you’re missing out on a huge opportunity to reach a wide audience. Podcasts are a great way to provide informative and entertaining content that can be consumed on the go.
They’re relatively easy and inexpensive to produce and offer a great way to build rapport and trust with your audience.
Plus, podcasts can be syndicated on popular platforms like iTunes and Spotify, making them easy for people to find and subscribe to.
There are many different types of podcasts that can be leveraged for content marketing purposes. These are as follows:
- Interview podcasts: These podcasts involve interviewing experts in your industry or field and can be a great way to share insights and knowledge with your audience.
- Expert panel podcasts: Expert panel podcasts involve bringing together a panel of experts to discuss a particular topic or issue. They can be a great way to provide a well-rounded perspective on a complex issue.
- Solo podcasts: These are episodes recorded and published by a single person, typically the show’s host. Solo podcasts can be a great way to share your thoughts and ideas on a particular topic with your audience.
- Co-hosted podcasts: These podcasts are more lively and entertaining as they involve two or more people sharing their thoughts and ideas on a particular topic. This, in turn, can be an effective way to add more personality to your content.
11. Webinars
Engagement is essential for any successful content marketing strategy. After all, what good is creating great content if no one is reading it or watching it?
One of the best ways to ensure high levels of engagement is to host a webinar.
A webinar is an online seminar that allows viewers to interact with the material in real time. It tends to have high production values, which can make it more engaging than other types of content.
Plus, webinars provide an excellent opportunity for lead generation, making them a great investment for any business looking to increase their ROI.
Finally, webinars can be recorded and reused in the future, making them an extremely valuable asset for your content marketing strategy.
12. GIFs and Memes
In today’s social media-driven world, people are highly visual, and a little bit of humor can go a long way in captivating your audience. These gifs and memes are a great way to add some levity to your content that can help to break up the monotony and keep people engaged.
- GIFs are short, looping videos that are highly shareable and perfect for creating engagement on social media.
- Conversely, memes are often funny or relatable pictures with clever captions that resonate with your audience.
Both of these types of content are incredibly popular right now, so using them in your marketing mix is a great way to boost your reach and engagement levels while showing off your brand’s personality.
Using GIFs and memes is a great way to create content that really speaks to your audience.
13. Online Reviews
Anyone who’s tried to market their business online knows that reviews are important. Not only do they provide valuable insights for potential customers, but they also help to improve your search engine ranking.
However, you may not realize that reviews can also be used as content.
That’s right, by leveraging the power of online reviews, you can create content that is not only informative but also highly engaging.
What’s more, because reviews are often seen as more credible than other forms of content, they can be a great way to build trust with your audience.
One research found that 84% of consumers trust online reviews as much as personal recommendations, and another found that 82% of consumers say positive reviews make them more likely to purchase a product or use a service.
But wait, there’s more!
There are a few different ways you can use reviews to increase engagement and ROI, including the following:
- Simply showcase positive reviews on your website or social media platforms. This builds social proof and increases conversion rates.
- Use negative reviews as an opportunity to engage with customers and showcase your outstanding customer service.
- Create original content, such as blog posts or infographics, by creating a post highlighting the best products for a particular niche or an infographic comparing customer satisfaction rates.
Final Words
All in all, these 13 types of content are some of the best ways to increase engagement and ROI for your business. But what’s the best way to use them?
The answer lies in understanding your audience and giving them what they want. Mixing up different types of content can keep things interesting for you and your readers while increasing ROI.
Still unsure of where to start? Check out Search Click Grow’s content marketing services to learn how we can help you create content that engages, informs, and converts.
We’re experts in SEO and content marketing, and we can help you design and implement a content strategy that will help you achieve your business goals.
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