A year ago, we m
ade some predictions for the marketing trends we expected to see in 2016, and we feel we did well enough to give it another shot for 2017. Here are some of the trends we expect to see this year. Continue reading “Strategic Communications’ Marketing Predictions for 2017”
Tag: digital marketing
Get These Two Things Right For Effective Content Marketing
Content marketing has been a hot topic in recent years, and it’s an area Strategic Communications has been engaged in for some time. We have written about and given presentations on content marketing frequently, most frequently for EContent Magazine. This June, we gave a presentation on strategic content marketing at the International Association of Business Communicators (IABC) annual international conference in New Orleans.
As we talk with others about content marketing, we’re often surprised that many mistakenly think of content marketing as a business-to-consumer strategy; however, it’s also an important tool for business-to-business (B2B) strategy as well.
So, what exactly is content marketing? Continue reading “Get These Two Things Right For Effective Content Marketing”
Driving Results Through High-Value Content
Recently, we did a presentation on strategic content marketing for the 2016 International Association of Business Communicators (IABC) International Conference, and we thought the continued and growing interest in the subject bears further discussion, especially for entrepreneurs.
Many entrepreneurs may have heard the term content marketing without much context or elaboration. The Content Marketing Institute defines content marketing as “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.” Continue reading “Driving Results Through High-Value Content”
Think Like Your Customers to Draw Traffic to Your Website
Ten to fifteen years ago, the advice to be given to a small business owner regarding an online presence may well have been, “you should have a website.” Today, it’s rare to find a business of any size without a website; however, that only means it’s harder to stand out among the crowd. Having a website is no longer in and of itself a sign of an established, sophisticated business. That website has to be designed to ensure brand consistency as well as prospect and customer engagement.
Here are some strategies to outshine your competitors in the digital environment. Continue reading “Think Like Your Customers to Draw Traffic to Your Website”
Content Marketers: What You Need to Know About Newsjacking
David Meerman Scott, a well-known marketing strategist, coined the term “newsjacking,” which he describes as “the process by which you inject your ideas or angles into breaking news, in real-time, in order to generate media coverage for yourself or your business.” He’s even written an ebook on the topic: Newsjacking: How to Inject Your Ideas Into a Breaking News Story and Generate Tons of Media Coverage.
The concept makes sense, and we all know that a great way to gain relevance online is by leveraging hot topics and news items that are beginning to trend-but it’s a competitive, and fast-moving, field. How do content marketers stay on top of the relevant trends and news in their industries to ensure they’re curating and communicating fresh, engaging content? Continue reading “Content Marketers: What You Need to Know About Newsjacking”
Building a Better Blog
It’s hard to overstate the value of a good blog and the impact it can have on your business. Here when we’re talking about value, we’re talking about bang for your buck. A blog is essentially free, other than the time you put into creating content and the cost of the website on which you host it. And yet a quality blog can do so much to drive traffic to your website and to help establish yourself, and your organization, as thought leaders in your industry.
We’ve been blogging since February, 2009, and we’ve been doing it consistently (one of our highly recommended strategies for success). Here are our “top tips” on building a blog that will generate real results: Continue reading “Building a Better Blog”
Content Marketing: A Deep Dive Into the Definition
Content marketing is, as the words suggest, using content to market yourself, your company, your products or your services. The key distinction between “content” and “content marketing” is the purpose behind the content. Content marketing is done with the ultimate goal of generating a positive marketing impact for an individual or organization.
It’s important to note, though, that while marketing is at the basis of these activities, effective content marketing does not take a heavy sales approach. On the contrary, content marketing is more subtle than a sales appeal—and far more valuable to its recipients. That was true when John Deere launched “The Furrow,” and it is still true today, 120 years later. Continue reading “Content Marketing: A Deep Dive Into the Definition”
CTAs Don’t Belong On Social Media
Social media isn’t about blatant promotion, it’s about subtle connections. Yet every once in a while we find ourselves working with a client who (in our opinion) steps over the promotional line. CTAs (calls to action) don’t belong on social media. Social is, or should be, more subtle. Continue reading “CTAs Don’t Belong On Social Media”
Being (Appropriately) Social Online: The Etiquette of Social Media Engagement
As the name suggests, social media is often a very informal means of conveying information. It’s familiar, colloquial and often has a personal touch – it’s social. So, when you’re using social media to support your business’ marketing needs, how should you behave? What’s the appropriate etiquette? Continue reading “Being (Appropriately) Social Online: The Etiquette of Social Media Engagement”
In Search of Viral Content: Is It Worth the Effort?
Online marketing is a crowded arena. Just check out Internet Live Stats to get an idea of the massive amounts of blog posts, websites, tweets, etc. It’s hard to stand out in the crowd, but every once in a while, some gem emerges that catches the attention of the masses and forms part of the collective consciousness. In other words, something goes viral. But how does that happen? Continue reading “In Search of Viral Content: Is It Worth the Effort?”