What To Do With All This Content
Wednesday, July 22, 2009
Web sites, Blogs, Tweets, Facebook... they are all creating a significant amount of content. The question is, "What are we supposed to do with it?" The leading marketers know the value of original content - and they are using it every day to grow their business.
Here are a few ways that I've used content to build and audience, sell products, or develop a strong house list.
1. Webinars. When interacting with others via social media (Twitter, Blog Comments, etc.) I often get a sense of what people are talking about. This is great information when determining content for your next online seminarn. Do something that's 'on topic' and you will get a tremendous result.
2. Web site promotion. Are you promoting your site through search engines? One of the best ways to do so is through on-page optimization. Create content or widgets that will help your browsers take action on your site or keep coming back for more. Consider adding a Twitter widget to your site or button that allows individuals to 'retweet' your content.
3. Free downloads. One of the best uses of content that I've seen in the past 12 months is the 'free download'. If you have content related to a timely topic or simply an area that your niche has a particular interest in, create a free download. I recently visited a site to get a pdf of Using Twitter For Business.
4. Create sign ups. Can you dole your content out one post at a time (or one lesson at a time)? Have users sign up for your informational series. A simple web sign up form can be posted inviting individuals to join your list in exchange for a name and email list. Be sure to use an auto-responder for maximum benefit.
These are just a few tips you should consider if you are being bombarded with content. Of course, always remember to get permission to use someone else's content and be sure to provide proper attribution.
Don't be overwhelmed by all the content coming your way. If you need to, shut off the feeds and proactively look for content to support your business needs. As always, have a plan and get started. You'll be glad you did.
Here are a few ways that I've used content to build and audience, sell products, or develop a strong house list.
1. Webinars. When interacting with others via social media (Twitter, Blog Comments, etc.) I often get a sense of what people are talking about. This is great information when determining content for your next online seminarn. Do something that's 'on topic' and you will get a tremendous result.2. Web site promotion. Are you promoting your site through search engines? One of the best ways to do so is through on-page optimization. Create content or widgets that will help your browsers take action on your site or keep coming back for more. Consider adding a Twitter widget to your site or button that allows individuals to 'retweet' your content.
3. Free downloads. One of the best uses of content that I've seen in the past 12 months is the 'free download'. If you have content related to a timely topic or simply an area that your niche has a particular interest in, create a free download. I recently visited a site to get a pdf of Using Twitter For Business.
4. Create sign ups. Can you dole your content out one post at a time (or one lesson at a time)? Have users sign up for your informational series. A simple web sign up form can be posted inviting individuals to join your list in exchange for a name and email list. Be sure to use an auto-responder for maximum benefit.
These are just a few tips you should consider if you are being bombarded with content. Of course, always remember to get permission to use someone else's content and be sure to provide proper attribution.
Don't be overwhelmed by all the content coming your way. If you need to, shut off the feeds and proactively look for content to support your business needs. As always, have a plan and get started. You'll be glad you did.
Marketing Blog founder and top-selling author Michael Fleischner has been featured on The TODAY Show, ABC World News, and Bloomerg Radio. 
8 comments :
Loved the words - confused by the graphic!? Are you able to explain the numbers and comparitive US vs Aus bars? Thanks.
Your Webinar point is one I haven't seen enough of and a great complimentary medium to social media. good one.
I agree. One of the best ways to build an audience and get your message across is by giving out free e-books or free reports or free cds.
Creating sign ups is a good idea. If the user finds the content useful, he is bound to invite others.
Thanks for this post - I definitely agree: free e-books or reports are a great tool. However, with the burgeoning popularity of print-on-demand technology, do you think there would be value in providing content (given that was of sufficient scope) through the more traditional print means - not free, but at a nominal cost?
I think ebooks is the best way to get your message across... you can bundle alot into an ebook and link most to your sites, I would just give those away. Sign ups are very important first and send out a free ebook to the email address second.
Love about giving away something (free download), this is the best strategy i ever know. Because people love about freebies and their will surely visit your blog and submitted (if there is autopilot) to get freebies. But too bad, some people only come just to download and get it, and then leave your blog.
For manufactures, why not organize the content (video, social media, rich content) into meaninful categories, add visuals to make the categories interesting and recognizable and 'push' the entire content to the distribution points, where the customers are? This would engage site visitors, increase production interaction that leads to increased sales and give users the data they want, when they want it, where they want it.
Post a Comment
Please note that we reject all posts that clearly are leaving a comment simply to acquire a back link. Only comment if you have something of value to share with other readers.
Thanks!