Here’s content marketing definition from some authority names in the industry…
According to Content Marketing Institute, “Content marketing is a strategic marketing approach focused on creating and distributing valuable, relevant, and consistent content to attract and retain a clearly defined audience — and, ultimately, to drive profitable customer action.”
Hubspot says, “Content marketing is a marketing program that centers on creating, publishing, and distributing content for your target audience — usually online — the goal of which is to attract new customers.”
Neil Patel writes, “Content marketing is a long-term strategy, based on building a strong relationship with your target audience, by giving them high-quality content that is very relevant to them on a consistent basis.”
A Simple Content Marketing Definition
Content Marketing is a process of planning, developing, and distributing content that addresses the definite needs and problems of the particular target audience to drive them into taking a desired action.
You create a piece of content for a group of prospects.
The content is created to solve their problems — or to fit in their distinct demands and needs (maybe they are seeking entertainment value!)
At the same time, you also want this content to help you reach your ultimate business goal: Generate leads, make sales, and build brand.
So, with a definite purpose, your content includes a well-defined Call-To-Action (CTA) that asks/suggests consumers take an action.
Biggest Misconception about Content Marketing
Many people think content marketing strategy is all about blogging or creating content.
However, in reality, there are many components of this form of marketing. Blog articles are just one of them. Other components include…
Images, email newsletters, infographics, webinars, social media posts, videos, reports, eBooks, and web tools.
Much more than ‘producing content’
Any form of marketing is incomplete without content. Whether it’s SEO, social media or email marketing, they all need content to engage and convert the audience.
Perhaps this is why Seth Godin believes…
“Content marketing is all the marketing that’s left.”
That being said though, not everything qualifies to be called content marketing. Just because you’re developing content doesn’t mean you’re content marketing.
There’s a set of rules and frameworks that makes it unique in its own ecosystem. Like, your content marketing mix must have:
- Clear objectives
- Ultimate goal
- A story-telling element
- Targeted approach
- High value
- Consistency
- Relevant distribution channels
Did You Know: Content marketing leaders experience 7.8 times more website traffic than non-leaders.
So, whether a blogger, startup, or even a highly established brand, it’s important to fully understand content marketing and its different aspects so as to drive higher value out of it.
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