(Getty)
We would like to thank Analytix Media, a BBB Accredited Business, for sponsoring this content.
There are numerous content marketing methods to choose from. To start, you need some creative and inspirational ideas. You can go beyond written content and include dynamic, static, visual, and audio materials as well. The content can be shared personally one-to-one, made downloadable on your site, or delivered in an email blast.
In this article, we detail 15 effective content marketing methods that can benefit both B2B and B2C audiences. You can use these ideas to add variety to your approach and achieve your sales goals. For instance, some content types can help to gain new leads via keyword targeting and consistent publishing. Others can assist you to nurture sales leads and convert them into deals. A lot of the below-given types can be used as sales material – helping to nurture and educate opportunities – and not just to produce new leads.
1. Sales Process Videos
Make explanatory videos that allow you the ability to ask and answer general sales questions, make informal introductions, and demonstrate product walkthroughs. You can also use these short videos for sales enablement by emailing them to potential leads during the prospecting and sales process.
2. Customizable One-Pagers for Sales
Content is useful for the sales procedure. Produce a throng of one-pagers that your sales team can utilize and modify. This can help you align the sales and marketing messaging, as both teams can work together to highlight the content main points. The one-pagers can also be tailored for individual presentations to clients.
3. Add Gamification to Your Site
Gamification allows you to make your software and product experience more interactive. For example, you can add gamification to the concept of customization by allowing your site visitors to add various functionalities to a shopping cart. You can also gamify a demo process by permitting leads to choose different applicable factors such as company size, vertical, or budget. This will allow you to easily follow up with a targeted and customized demo for their requirements.
4. Interactive Quizzes
You can use interactive quizzes to engage your target audience and capture information about leads. for instance, by delivering quiz results through email.
5. Original Research
Conducting original research can help you create a valuable and unique asset that you can offer to your clients. For example, you can generate a quarterly report and repurpose it into multiple formats. Do in-depth research and create small-sized publications that convey your information to targeted audiences. You can then repurpose data portions for a specific lead segment such as a particular job title, geographic location, or company size.
6. Infographic Downloadables
Flowcharts, to-do task lists, and checklists are simple methods to swiftly share helpful and compelling information. You can either create a subject from scratch or repackage existing content into multiple smaller downloadables. You can then use these for easy lead nurturing.
7. Free Trial
Consider offering a free trial as part of a broader nurturing tactic. However, ensure the trial includes touchpoints that provide information to leads on how to use your software. Furthermore, you should follow up with a sequence to ensure new members are satisfied and to encourage them to take the next steps like providing more details to continue, talking to a sales agent, or subscribing to a paid plan.
8. Top-of-the-Funnel E-books
Believe it or not, you don’t have to prepare lengthy e-books to be effective. Create simple content offer e-books with a few informative pages and give them to leads. Describe a relevant topic to your sector in helpful, clear language. Offer downloadable e-books on your site behind forms.
9. Third-Party Contributions to Establish Thought Leadership
You can publish articles and posts on third-party sites such as news publishers and online magazines. This will allow for your key stakeholders to present opinion articles.
10. Charts for Competitor Comparison
Create charts that compare your performance with your competitors. Since it is easier for your leads to digest visual information, use clear graphs or charts to display your chief differentiators.
11. Educational Blog
Blogs extend beyond just posts on company updates. You can add effective content, such as an informative blog, to your website. Every week, post short articles addressing hot subjects in your sector and answering queries. This way, you can publish new and consistent blog content to increase engagement and attract leads. Furthermore, blogs can help your website’s search engine optimization by using targeted keywords
12. Certifications or Courses
Provide courses or certification classes in a related subject to your software or service. You can combine both written and video content in these courses. This can help you to educate sales leads and also get free advertising from participants showcasing their certifications.
13. Tailored Content for Email Nurturing
Use the data in your CRM platform to segment leads by their indicated actions or interests. Deliver email content that is based on their interests, full of useful tips, and attached with downloadable content offers. Today, subscribers appreciate personalized email messages that give them information about the topics they like.
14. Video Series
Produce a series of videos that offer helpful information or discuss hot topics. You can even engage your leaders or key stakeholders by producing an interview. Even low-budget, simple video creations can help you generate interest as well as new leads.
15. Visual or Written Case Studies
Start by interviewing ideal and happy clients. Obtain insights into the language they utilize and sprinkle direct testimonials throughout. Document the societal problem, the solution you offer, and the benefits of collaborating with your brand. You can utilize common case study formats such as a written PDF, infographic, or video.
These 15 content types are just a small sample of the readily available content marketing methods. Each type can help you achieve your specific goals. Be sure to use a mixture of content methods that provide benefits at each stage in your sales process. Finally, analyze performance metrics such as conversion rate to measure the effectiveness of your content marketing investments.