By David Okul
July 23, 2019
The modern costumers are demanding, and content is one of the things that they crave for
‘Why should I invest in developing content for my business?’ Many of my clients ask me the question on our first meeting. My answer is always, “It is a must if you want your business to prosper”. Are you still not convinced? Silvica has prepared nine reasons that should make you start working on your content strategy today.
1. Good content will improve a business reputation
Great content presents a positive vibe about your brand. In fact, one of the greatest benefits of great content is that it enhances the reputation of your company. Good quality content is a sure bet for positive brand reputation. When readers read your content, they start developing an opinion about your brand. So, do not work on putting up any content on your platforms, work on quality! And, good quality content is good for your customers too.
2. Content will inform your audience
Most content on website give the reader information about the business and the industry. Details such as opening hours, location, and products are common in most of the content offered. Additionally, content creators should also work at educating their audience. For instance, as Silvica also offers environmental consultancy services in East Africa, we may write an article that outlines projects that need environmental impact assessments in the region. If one of the readers decides to contact us for an EIA for a project they intend to undertake in Kenya, they will already have some knowledge of the regulations. In the end, it will save both of us time, and subsequently money.
Thus, having content is a win-win for both the client and the business. An informed client is one step from converting to a paying customer. What’s more? The content does not have a shelf-life either. Once the content is on your website or blog, it can continue informing your clients for years. Piece of free advice; investing in informative content is a shrewd investment.
3. Great content can influence your conversion rates
Yes, research has proven that content marketing increases conversation statistics. One study reports that 74% of companies surveyed claimed that content marketing increased their leads. Readers connect with your business as more information is shared. If you need conversions in your content (and you should) do not forget to include a clear call to action (CTA) towards the end of your content.
4. Optimized content can improve SEO
Search Engine Optimization (SEO) helps to improve the visibility of a business online. Content creation is among the most effective SEO building tools. Business sites that post regular blog content have over 400% more page indexed by search engines as compared to those that do not publish at all. More posts don’t automatically mean that you will get higher traffic. However, more posts will give you a chance to rank for more keywords. Another reason for having more content on your website is that it would allow your visitors to stick around. You can choose to consult Silvica content creators for guidelines.
5. Content will earn your site links from other sites
Content not only bring people to your site, but it also assists your site in earning links from other websites. The more links your site has, the better it ranks in search engines such as Google. Typically, powerful websites such as Facebook, Twitter, and New York times will generate more links. But, they only rank for major keywords like ‘news’ or “network”. You can focus on longer keywords that are less competitive. You do not have to be the biggest website to succeed in the online parlance; you just need a few links to surpass your competitors. Moreover, content can give you other linkages apart from the Google search engines
6. Content is sharable of Social media
Any modern business should have at least one social media account. Yes, more and more people are spending time on social media, and your business should be there too! Better still, opening accounts in most of the social media platforms is free. Facebook and Twitter are among the biggest social media accounts. Other social media options include Linkedin, Pinterest, Tumblr, Instagram, and Snapchat. You just need to find the social media platform(s) that work for you, and you can push your content through them.
7. Content is an affordable way to increase lead generation
Money is often tight especially for start-ups and small businesses. It is no surprise that the marketing budget is often tight. However, content marketing offers an effective yet inexpensive way of marketing. According to DemandMetric, content marketing costs about 62% less than the traditional marketing tactics. Yet, they generate as many as 3 times the leads. The great thing about content writing is that you can even do them by yourself! Think about it, no one understands your business and customer better than yourself! As such, you can create content that connects with your clients. The only downside is that content development requires an investment of time. Besides, consultants are available to support you in your digital marketing needs.
8. Content allows you to display your knowledge of the industry
The consumers want the best value for money. They would prefer to spend money on the provider who has demonstrated that they understand the ins and out of their industry. And content provides you with a great opportunity to demonstrate your mastery of the industry. Furthermore, well-written content helps the readers make informed decisions about the purchases. Customers will most likely remember the brands that provided them with the relevant information when the times for purchases come. As Silvica, we always tell our clients to focus on writing good quality content instead of quantity. Quality articles are well-researched, original, and simple.
9. Content is the cornerstone for any digital marketing strategy
Any digital marketing campaign would need some content. Whether you want your page to rank, or your blogs to have engagement, or have a viral video campaign, content is key. It is the heart and soul of any digital marketing strategy. If you have never thought about creating online content for your business, you better start now. You will certainly reap the rewards in the future.
Honestly, I can write all day about the importance of content in digital marketing platforms. As a business, you need to invest some time and money to develop good-quality and appropriate content, if you are not doing so already. At the end of the day, it is virtually impossible to implement a digital marketing strategy without content.
Links to References and Resources
https://www.lyfemarketing.com/blog/why-is-content-marketing-important/https://www.webfx.com/internet-marketing/how-important-is-content-to-a-digital-marketing-strategy.htmlhttp://customerthink.com/why-content-marketing-is-vital-for-your-brand-in-2019/https://startupscaffold.com/why-content-marketing-is-important-2019/
David Okul is a freelance writer, and a PhD student at a Kenyan university
