When it comes to content marketing, the last thing readers want is to read an article that sounds like a spammy sales pitch. So how do you seamlessly represent your brand and provide value as a thought leader too?
We asked five entrepreneurs from FounderSociety the following question:
Q. What's one way I can successfully and seamlessly promote my brand through content marketing?
1. Entice readers with solutions
Show readers how to solve problems they're facing. If relevant, give them a "hack" to patch an issue quickly and later tell them how you would fix the issue long-term. If the reader finds that the hack is good enough for them and doesn't sign up, you just saved yourself from a dead-end lead. On the other hand, if the reader is successful in carrying out the hack but wants to solve the problem in the long-term, you just found a potential customer. —John Arroyo, Arroyo Labs, Inc.
2. Keep it relevant
If you’re an entrepreneur, you have something you’re knowledgeable about, right? Write up some blogs on that: informational pieces that teach your customers more about your industry (or about other industries they’re interested in). Even stuff you think is fairly basic could be information your average client would love to know. —Steven Buchwald, Buchwald & Associates
3. Always add value
Content marketing is less about quantity as it is about quality. When promoting your product or service, think about your end-user and the needs/wants you are solving. From there, provide relevant content that continuously provides value. The worst thing you can do is become promotional and spammy; it's a very quick way to lose trust with your audience. —Steven Picanza, Latin & Code
4. Create a great title
Creating a great title is a must in order for your content to get consumed. Your title is what readers see first, and no one will want to read your content if they aren't intrigued by it. Keep your title edgy and opinionated in order to get people to click on it. You can even test out your ideas using online editorial tools out there. —Ben Walker, Transcription Outsourcing, LLC
5. Answer your customers' questions
If you can accurately anticipate the questions your customers would type into a Google search bar (which, if you've done any market research, you should be able to), then you should write a blog post on your website that answers that exact question. You may have to put some time and investment into this strategy, but it will pay off in dividends over time and be a great compliment to your search engine optimization strategy. —Jasmine Pickel, Atlas Communications
