Content creation plays a major role in everything from branding to driving organic traffic to your website. When you think about content, the first thing to come to mind likely is the static content on your website. While this is crucial content, it is only one of several types of content that you could be taking advantage of today.

Guest Posts

You can regularly add content to your website through blog posts. These posts should cover topics relating to your business that your customers are interested in. Try to focus on adding value in the content instead of promoting your own services. Let your knowledge speak for itself. In addition to adding your own blog posts to your website, consider adding a few guest posts from time to time. Choose a guest writer with related industry experience but who is not an active competitor. In addition, offer to write a guest post for them in exchange. This can drive more traffic to your website while being mutually beneficial.

Newsletters

When used in the right way, newsletters can yield amazing results for businesses and brands by delivering the content directly to the audience’s inboxes. This content can include how-to guides, behind-the-scenes of the current happenings in your business, and even promoting your content from other platforms. However, newsletters should be sent with care as spamming can irritate your customers. This can result in many unsubscribers and can be detrimental to your brand image. Consider sending a newsletter every week or even every two weeks. Pick a schedule that will work for you without spamming your audience.

Gated Content

In order to access gated content, the user must subscribe or take some other step. Generally, this is a step that requires them to provide their email address at a minimum and perhaps their full contact information. While having gated content seems like a great way to grow your email list, make sure that you are provided with valuable content that is appealing enough for the user to want to take that next step. Some examples of content you could have are free tools or templates, webinars, or white papers from company research.

Social Media Stories

Social media is a powerful tool for marketing. You have a closer access point to communicate with your audience and hear their feedback. Most platforms have a “stories” feature which allows you to show a less polished side of your business. Use this for Q&A sessions with your audience and give them sneak peaks at things you are working on. In addition, the posts can raise awareness of your blog posts or other content you have published. Use your social media accounts to strengthen your relationship with your current customer base and expand your reach.

Infographics

Infographics are a powerful marketing tool. They are more than a simple image, containing valuable information that generally requires the reader to study the content for a short period of time. With this image, you can convey powerful insights that educate your audience and that ultimately could drive more leads and sales. People have used these to share their industry knowledge ranging from tips they have compiled to research their company has done. No matter your industry, you can use infographics as a way to show your industry knowledge and instill trust in your customers.

Video Content

While a picture can say a thousand words, a video multiplies this for impressive results. A video is more than a moving picture. It comes with verbal information and music to enhance the audience’s experiences. Many people today prefer to watch a short video rather than read content, so you can expect your video content to reach a broader audience. Consider creating product tutorials, interviews with people of interest, or behind-the-scenes vlogs to bring valuable information to your audience.

It is increasingly difficult to capture your audience’s attention thanks to a growing number of distractions and competition. However, there are numerous ways to expand the reach of your marketing efforts. Put these strategies to use to get the most out of your content.

By: Katherine Robinson, a writer for Spiro