Mastering the Fine Art of Content Creation

February 16, 2012

This year is expected to bring an EXPLOSION of content marketing.

It’s always been an important part of Internet Marketing, but now more than ever it is worth your while to look at who is doing it well and blowing the competition out of the water. It takes a lot more effort than it used to, to grab people’s attention in this cluttered marketplace.  [1]According to Social Media B2B blog, 60% of B2B marketers plan to spend more on content marketing in the next 12 months.

[2]Content marketing for those who like definitions, involves new and interesting techniques and strategies of sharing information. It’s what social media is all about and the reason why some companies never seem to be short on hot leads and engaging conversations. It builds or strengthens brand awareness, and permeates the Internet with valuable information and conversations about your industry to establish lead interest.

So the question becomes how do you achieve this a higher status of content marketing genius in a sea of information competition? Incorporate content strategy into your social media plan. Content creation is a well-researched art. When you create a social media strategy you’re not simply picking what channels to use; it is a creative effort to articulate brand image and be in your prospects’ line of view.

Take the time now to put together a social media strategy if you don’t have one, or if you have one ask, “Am I happy with it?” Social Media B2B blog says less than 50% of B2B marketers are satisfied with their social media strategy. Is that you? Don’t let your content and brand suffer with a plan that is less than stellar.

Best Practices to Inspire Killer Content Creation in Social Media:

(1) Crowdsourcing

This gets your audience talking about things that they really care about as initiated by your company. Pose a question about your product, or simply ask “What is something you like or don’t like about these services and why?” Pretty soon you have hundreds of ideas and fresh new insights to talk about and you didn’t even have to break a sweat.

(2) Visualize

Never under estimate how a creative picture of your service, product or a video about the people in your company can spark connections and put a face to your brand. People respond strongly to visual stimuli and it can be easier to convey your message in this medium than text. Plus, everyone loves to share pictures and videos so your reach could improve substantially.

(3) Make an Editorial Calendar

You should treat your posts, Tweets and comments as if you are a magazine editor. What is relevant now? What are trends? What are buzzwords that I’m seeing my target use? What sentiments seem to surround my brand online and when are people talking most about my industry, product or service?

Use all of this information to plan out what you will write week by week so whatever you publish has VALUE and stands out among the Internet white noise.