Mari Luukkainen

Strategies for growing your startup with content marketing

Mari Luukkainen -

If you’re in the world of business, you probably know the importance of continually expanding to be successful. And while there are many different ways to do this, one of the most effective is through content marketing. But what if you're not sure how to get started? Or if you've tried it before but haven't seen the results you were hoping for?

In either case, we've got you covered. This post will discuss some powerful content marketing strategies for growing your startup.

What is content marketing?

Content marketing is a type of marketing that involves creating and sharing valuable content to attract and retain customers. The goal is to drive profitable customer action by publishing relevant and useful content to your target audience.

You can use content marketing in a variety of ways, but some common methods include:

Blogging

Blogging is one of the most popular and effective content marketing methods. This content format usually addresses a specific problem or question your target audience has. By providing helpful information and insights, you can position yourself as an expert in your industry and earn your readers' trust.

For example, a B2B SaaS company could use blogging to attract more inbound leads. By writing helpful articles on topics like "How to Choose the Right CRM for Your Business" or "The Benefits of Moving to the Cloud," they can show potential customers that they understand their needs and can provide solutions.

Here are a few tips for successful blogging:

  • Write great headlines that accurately reflect the contents of your article
  • Write in a clear and concise manner
  • Optimize your blog posts for search engines by using relevant keywords

eBooks & whitepapers

Another great way to attract and engage customers is by creating eBooks and whitepapers. These are often longer and more in-depth than blog posts, making them ideal for demonstrating your expertise and providing detailed information about your products or services. An example of an eBook might be "How to Increase Sales with Social Media Marketing."

They are also more visual than blog posts, which makes them more likely to be shared. To increase the chances of your eBook or whitepaper being shared, make sure to:

  • Use high-quality images and graphics
  • Write compelling copy that will hold the reader's attention
  • Format the ebook appropriately

Videos & podcasts

Videos and podcasts are two more excellent content marketing tools. In fact, recent studies have shown that video is one of the most effective types of content for marketing purposes. There are many different ways to use videos and podcasts, but some common strategies include:

  • Creating product demonstrations
  • Sharing customer testimonials
  • Conducting interviews with industry experts

Videos are often more expensive and time-consuming to produce than other types of content, but they can be well worth the effort. If you decide to create videos or podcasts, make sure to promote them across your social media channels and on your website.

Infographics

Infographics are a great way to make complex information more digestible and visually appealing. They can also be very shareable, which is always a plus when it comes to content marketing. When creating infographics, you'll want to minimize text and focus on using striking visuals to get your point across.

Some other tips for creating successful infographics include:

  • Use contrasting colors to make your design more eye-catching
  • Make sure your infographic is easily readable by using clear fonts and simple graphics
  • Use data from credible sources to add weight to your argument

Why is content marketing Important?

Content marketing is essential for quite a few reasons. That's why over 91% of companies use it as their marketing strategy. Here are some of the main reasons why content marketing is so important:

Attract and engage customers: By providing valuable and relevant information, you can earn the trust of your target audience and turn them into loyal customers.

Build brand awareness: Creating and sharing high-quality content increases brand awareness and helps you reach new potential customers.

Generate leads: Quality content can help you generate leads by attracting people to your website or blog and getting them to sign up for your email list.

Boost sales: By providing helpful information at each stage of the buyer's journey, you can guide potential customers toward making a purchase.

Improve SEO: Creating keyword-optimized content can help improve your website's SEO and increase your chances of ranking higher in search engine results pages.

How to get started with content marketing?

If you're not already using content marketing as part of your marketing strategy, it's time to get started. Here are some tips on how to get started with content marketing:

1. Define your target audience: The first step is identifying your target audience. Who are you trying to reach with your content? What are their needs and interests? Once you understand your target audience, you can create tailored content for them.

2. Set goals: What do you hope to achieve with your content marketing efforts? Do you want to increase brand awareness, generate leads, or boost sales? Once you have defined your goals, you can create a content strategy that aligns with them.

3. Create a content calendar: A content calendar will help you plan and organize your content. This way, you can ensure you're creating the right content at the right time.

4. Create optimized Content: It's important to create optimized content that reads well for both search engines and your target audience. Make sure to include relevant keywords in your headlines and throughout your content. Also, add a call-to-action (CTA), so your readers know what you want them to do next.

5. Promote your content: Once you've created it, it's essential to promote it. Share your articles and blog posts on social media, and don't forget to include links to your content on your website.

6. Measure your results: Keep track of your content marketing efforts by measuring the results. This way, you can see what's working and what's not and make necessary adjustments to your strategy.

7. Rinse and repeat: The beauty of content marketing is that it's an ongoing process. You can always continue to create new and fresh content to keep your audience engaged. Over time, you'll see your efforts pay off as you attract more readers, generate more leads, and boost sales.