Why is Content Marketing Worth the Investment?

Content marketing is an effective way to build relationships and trust with your customers, by creating quality content that they find useful, interesting, helpful, funny, engaging, or persuasive. This marketing strategy is different from traditional marketing methods, which have been around for decades. These outdated practices are not as effective as content marketing, in the growing age of the internet and Generation Z. So, what exactly are the benefits of content marketing and why is it worth the investment? To start, according to the Content Marketing Institute, content marketing generates 3x more leads than outbound marketing, while costing 62% less! Over time, content marketing will increase the bottom line of your business. To learn more about what content marketing is, click here to read the post "What is content marketing?" Build Brand Affinity Brand affinity is when customers feel their values align with a company. These customers are considered your super fans. They are not only interested in your product or service, they are interested in your brand. Customers who have strong brand affinity are most likely to tell their friends and family about your company, without any direct ask from your business. This kind of word-of-mouth marketing is one of the most trusted marketing channels in existence, as 92% of consumers trust recommendations from friends. Additionally, businesses that are able to build relationships with their customers receive 3x more word-of-mouth referrals than those that don’t (1). A great way to build relationships with customers is through content marketing! Increase Customer Lifetime Value When developing and employing an effective content marketing plan, which you’ve specifically designed based on your target audience, you will not only increase your number of prospects but drive more sales. Even though this is a long term strategy, the lifetime value of your customers will significantly increase, as they will continue to rely on you for great information. Become an Industry Leader As you continue to create relevant and valuable content, you will begin to receive more website traffic and increase your overall audience. This increase in visibility will help you rise in search engine rankings; therefore, increasing the credibility of your brand and your online presence. Increase Social Media Audience Content marketing is perfectly built for social media. The content you create and publish on your website, can be freely shared on social media to promote your business. When you have an established social media presence for your business, you will be able to share your content in more targeted and organic ways. Since at least 7 in 10 Americans are on social media (2), this is a prime channel to share your content and connect with current and potential customers. Simply put, consumers want to buy from businesses they trust. By creating relevant content that your customer can use, you will grow your overall audience. As long as you are focused more on connecting with customers, than on selling, you will have more sales. References 1. https://review42.com/word-of-mouth-marketing-statistics/ 2. https://www.pewresearch.org/internet/fact-sheet/social-media/ Redwood Designs has a strong focus on content marketing. If you are interested in expanding your content marketing strategy, click here to contact us for a free consultation!