Say you have a good amount of content sitting around. How-to videos, blog pieces, and product images. What are you going to do to spread the word and reach potential clients and customers?
Do your content-related objectives have any specifics? Perhaps you wish to generate more leads. How about increasing your social media presence and brand awareness?
You need a content marketing plan if you are unable to respond to these questions.
However, you are not alone. Only 40% of B2B marketers, according to a recent study, have a written content marketing strategy. Whether or not you fall within that 40%, you should create a content marketing plan or review one you already have.
A Content Marketing Plan: What is it?
A content marketing plan is a strategy that is written down and includes information on your content who, what, when, where, why, and how.
- Who is the author of the material?
- What sort of information?
- When will the information be released?
- Where is the material being shared?
- Why even do content marketing at all?
- How are the marketing results being promoted and analyzed?
Why is it Necessary to Develop a Content Marketing Strategy?
Content marketing occurs haphazardly in the absence of a plan. You need a content marketing plan if you’ve ever done any of the following.
- You are out of content to post.
- You have several channels but are unsure of the appropriate types of material to use on each.
- You are unaware of the subjects that your audience prefers.
- You are aware that you did not publish on that day.
- You lack an idea for a post.
All of these factors and much more are framed by a content marketing strategy. Additionally, after you have a plan in place, you can use data to determine whether it is effective. Many departments are involved in content marketing.
Following are some of the easy steps for creating the plan. Keep reading!
Establish Objectives and KPIs
A strategy always starts with goals. What are you hoping to accomplish with content marketing? A recent study of B2B marketers found that 70% of them used content marketing to educate their customers, 75% used it to establish credibility and trust, and 80% stated it helped them successfully create brand awareness.
Select Your Target Demographics
Deciding your target audience is the next stage. This frequently matches your buyer profiles or social media personas. You will need to tailor your material to each audience if, like most firms, you have many target markets.
Review Your Existing Content
If you don’t know where you’re beginning, how can you know where to go? An audit makes it simple to evaluate your material and provides an answer to this query. You should begin by cataloging all of your current content.
Set a time limit, such as three months or a year, if there is an excessive number. A data set that provides a thorough understanding of what you are publishing is required.
You might discover material by conducting a content audit on your blog postings. You may use it to find duplicate material on your website.
Select Content Categories
When developing your content marketing plan, keep in mind that not all content kinds are created equal and that there are various distinct content formats to take into account. Others cost more to produce while some function better on specific networks. Photos, videos, blog articles, podcasts, graphics, and consumer content are examples of common content types.
Establish The Budget, Skills, and Tools
Being aware of your budget is a necessary component in creating this content marketing strategy. This covers your spending limit, your toolkit, and any potential staff or independent contractors.
Although it can be difficult, creating original material remotely is not impossible. Determine the resources you now have and those you will require in this step.
Calendar Your Content
An editorial schedule is essential to your plan. You need a location to organize your content. It should be able to at the very least keep track of the subjects and information you intend to upload and when. An improved content calendar will keep track of each piece of content’s distribution, status, contributors, and performance after marketing.
Make Some Content
The real material that you will share must now be created. By now, you ought to be very clear on the channels and content kinds you’ll be utilizing. However, this indicates that content ideas, production, and curation come next.
Measuring Outcomes
Analyzing is the final step in your content marketing approach. You can’t monitor your progress toward your initial objectives without gathering data. You’ll require either Google Analytics or any native tools analytics for channels like newsletters or your website.
