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05/26/2010


(P-O-P-S) Today’s customers decide on what they want to buy, investigate their options and ultimately decide on what to purchase before they ever make contact with the sales agent.  Providing the necessary information or content on the web allows them to arrive at their own conclusions about what will solve their problem most effectively and affordably.  Instead of pitching your products or services, you are delivering information that makes your buyer more intelligent.  A series of how-to articles or usage features demonstrating how your product or service fits the bill is often the motivating factor or call to action that convinces them to make the purchase. That’s what content marketing is about. That is why a series of syndicated articles is often the content marketing strategy that seals the deal.


While the buzz word currently is social media, and some of the best marketing strategists are encouraging participation for both small and corporate businesses alike, if you haven’t determined a content marketing strategy, viral buzz might just not hold water for consumer purchases that are more significant than a quick cup of coffee or pizza slice. Convincing educational information and statistics compiled by a good number of users as well as reviews are more significant particularly when purchasing children’s items that must meet safety specifications, or pharmaceuticals that people prefer to be FDA approved, amongst others. Content strategy is the belief that if we, as businesses, deliver consistent, ongoing valuable information to buyers, they ultimately reward us with their business and loyalty.
 

Long ago, Sy Sims, used the advertising line, “An Educated Consumer is Our Best Customer.” Today that thought is what lies behind the best content marketing strategies used on the web, only the delivery system is different. A series of publicity articles each targeting your various customers or honing in on a series of critical questions to ask when buying items such as a car, a sofa, a baby carriage or real estate might be the best way to educate your consumer, and you don’t need a newspaper or TV ad to do it. According to the Custom Publishing Council and Roper Public Affairs, 80% of business decision makers prefer to get company information in a series of articles versus an advertisement. (http://www.junta42.com/resources/What-is-content-marketing.aspx)


Because of the internet, each company is its own publisher, so deciding on a content marketing strategy and who is responsible for it lies in the domain of any company with a website. Determining to do a press release, a product review or some short educational, illustrated features to enhance both your visibility and your image is one of the most powerful tools you can use to ensure your customers are knowledgeable and can label you the significant influencer in their purchasing decision. Hiring a company that specializes in creating content like syndicated publicity articles online is well worth the small expenditure if it results in compelling, highly readable content.
 

 

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