You spend quite a bit of time, effort, and money when it comes to your content marketing efforts. So, don’t you want to make sure you’re seeing a return on your investment? Of course!
That’s why it’s crucial you take the time to measure your content marketing success so you can see what performs well and what doesn’t. This way, you’re able to focus on creating the content that’s going to generate the best results, allowing you to get more bang for your buck.
But how do you go about tracking this type of data? We’re breaking it all down for you in this month’s #ContentWritingChat. Let’s dive into the tips!
#ContentWritingChat Recap: Measuring Content Marketing Success With Amanda Webb
This month, we're joined by Amanda Webb (@Spiderworking). She's a digital marketer and will be sharing some tips on measuring content marketing success.
— Express Writers | Your Content Writing Partner (@ExpWriters) May 3, 2022
Our guest host for this month was Amanda Webb. Amanda is a digital marketer who knows a thing or two about diving into your analytics to determine whether or not your content marketing efforts are paying off. After all, her mission is to help boost your ROI in business!
Q1: Why is it important to track the success of your content marketing efforts?
A1: Creating content takes time, a lot of time. Is that time being spent wisely? Are you spending time on the right thing? You need to measure to know you aren’t wasting that time PLUS most importantly, that you are delivering results for your or your client.#ContentWritingChat
— Amanda Webb – Digital Marketer 👩💻 (@Spiderworking) May 3, 2022
As Amanda pointed out, it takes time to create great content. And because our time is precious, it’s important that we’re being smart about where we’re directing our attention. You wouldn’t want to continue investing a bunch of time into something that isn’t working out, would you? By measuring your content marketing success, you’re able to spend your time more wisely.
A1: By tracking the success of your #ContentMarketing, you'll have a better understanding of what resonates with your audience. Then, you can create more of the content that WORKS. #ContentWritingChat
When do a deep dive into your analytics to see how your content is performing, you’ll also gain a better understanding of what resonates with your target audience. This will allow you to create more of the content they want and enjoy.
A1. The first goal of content is to provide value for your target audience. Without measurement, you’re only guessing about whether or not you’re doing that. #ContentWritingChat
Dana knows it’s all about providing value to your audience. But how will you know you’re providing value unless you actually review the data to see how people are responding to your content? You won’t! Tracking key metrics will allow you to create a more effective strategy moving forward.
A1: If content is king, why risk appointing the wrong content for your audience? Tracking helps determine what works, but it also helps a strategy evolve with the times.#ContentWritingChat
Don’t risk publishing the wrong content! Do the research to figure out what your audience wants to see from you and you’ll drive more traffic, engagement, and conversions.
Q2: How do you know which metrics are important to track? Should you track the same things for every piece of content or does it change with each content marketing campaign?
A2: Each piece of content needs a goal. ➙Is it designed to grow your audience? ➙Is it designed to improve brand awareness? ➙Is it designed to grow your email list? ➙Is it designed to sell? When you know the goal measurement becomes easy.#ContentWritingChat
— Amanda Webb – Digital Marketer 👩💻 (@Spiderworking) May 3, 2022
A2: Some metrics will be the same for every campaign. ✓You’ll want to know if you are reaching people. ✓You’ll want to know if the people you reach are consuming the content. But after that, you’ll need different metrics depending on your goal.#ContentWritingChat
— Amanda Webb – Digital Marketer 👩💻 (@Spiderworking) May 3, 2022
Always make sure to set goals for every piece of content you create. Amanda shared some great examples of common goals you might work toward, including building brand awareness, growing your email list, and increasing sales.
A2. Typically the most important metrics would be associated with your marketing goals as the most impactful with your audience. It may vary by campaign, especially if campaigns are being run for different objectives. #ContentWritingChat
— Andrew C. Belton, MBA (@AndrewCBelton) May 3, 2022
The metrics you track will always be tied back to your marketing goals. And as Andrew pointed out, this can vary by campaign depending on what the purpose of the campaign is.
A2: Determining which metrics to track ultimately goes back to the goals you've set for your content/campaign. This can change from time to time.
However, it's always smart to track traffic, engagement, conversions, etc. #ContentWritingChat
For Carla, it’s all about tracking conversations and conversions. Both are crucial metrics to pay attention to when you’re a business owner or marketer.
Q3: What about vanity metrics? Are they worth tracking?
A3: Everything can be a vanity metric even leads & sales. You can get 100s of leads but they’re not good if they don’t convert. You can get 6 figures in sales but is only relevant if you didn’t spend 7 figures to get there. #ContentWritingChat
— Amanda Webb – Digital Marketer 👩💻 (@Spiderworking) May 3, 2022
A3: Things that are traditionally considered vanity metrics matter too. Audience growth can be important, if you don’t have an audience no one knows about you. But it’s not relevant on its own. Ensuring the audience is full of the right people is.#ContentWritingChat
— Amanda Webb – Digital Marketer 👩💻 (@Spiderworking) May 3, 2022
Amanda offered some great insights on vanity metrics. And as she said, audience growth is great to track, but you want to make sure you’re building an audience of the right people if you want to see long-term success.
A3: Vanity metrics are useful if you are trying to gain buy-in. However, never let vanity metrics detract from your primary tracking and reporting.#ContentWritingChat
Just make sure the vanity metrics aren’t distracting you from the main goals of the campaigns you’re running.
Q4: When do you measure content marketing success? Weekly, monthly, quarterly?
A4: If you’re launching a new piece of content, strategy or campaign, monitor it daily. This can tell you if there’s something wrong & give you an idea of the response.
Don’t act on a small data sample, wait at least a week before you draw any conclusions. #ContentWritingChat
— Amanda Webb – Digital Marketer 👩💻 (@Spiderworking) May 3, 2022
A4: For ongoing content or strategies measure weekly or at the very least monthly. It will help you determine the direction of future campaigns. #ContentWritingChat
— Amanda Webb – Digital Marketer 👩💻 (@Spiderworking) May 3, 2022
It’s clear that Amanda sees the benefit in regularly tracking key data for content marketing success. She suggests monitoring new content or campaigns on a daily basis. For more long-term strategies, she suggests monitoring data on a weekly or monthly basis. Doing this allows you to tweak your strategy as needed.
A4. I typically do a quick weekly review just to get a sense of how things are going as I promote the content and then monthly and quarterly I’ll do a deeper dive where I’ll identify trends and take it into consideration regarding the overall strategy. #contentwritingchat
— Andrew C. Belton, MBA (@AndrewCBelton) May 3, 2022
Andrew likes to do a weekly review to get a sense of how his content is performing. He also does monthly and quarterly reviews, which allow him to go deep into his analytics and gain a better understanding of how his content is performing.
Q5: What are your go-to tools for tracking the success of your content marketing efforts?
A5: Google Analytics are your best friend. Make sure you set up goals if you are still using Universal Analytics. If you’ve made the move to GA4 set up Events and Conversions#ContentWritingChat
— Amanda Webb – Digital Marketer 👩💻 (@Spiderworking) May 3, 2022
A5: I use Toggl to track the time I spend on marketing content and promotion: https://t.co/aiG6E9GU7Y Time is money (or so they say) so it’s important to monitor how much time content is taking.#ContentWritingChat
— Amanda Webb – Digital Marketer 👩💻 (@Spiderworking) May 3, 2022
Amanda shared a few great tool suggestions, including Google Analytics, which is a staple for any content creator. She also recommends using a time tracker like Toggl. This allow you to see how much time you’re spending on marketing tasks.
A5. My go-to tools are Google Analytics and Hootsuite. I like to receive regular automated reports. #ContentWritingChat
— Andrew C. Belton, MBA (@AndrewCBelton) May 3, 2022
Andrew’s favorites include Google Analytics and Hootsuite. If you use a third-party social media scheduling tool like Hootsuite, their analytics will be so helpful in measuring content marketing success.
And don’t forget! There are built-in analytics for many of the platforms we use on a daily basis. For instance, Twitter has analytics that provide a wealth of information about your content and your account growth.
Q6: What do you do when you’re not seeing your desired results? What strategic actions can you take to drive more traffic, engagement, and sales?
A6: If you’re not seeing the results you expected devise a theory for why this may be and then test it. For example: ➙Is it the headline? Test different headlines ➙Is it too long? Test a shorter version ➙Is the call to action wrong? Test a different CTA#ContentWritingChat
— Amanda Webb – Digital Marketer 👩💻 (@Spiderworking) May 3, 2022
A6: Don’t be afraid to give something up if it’s not working. But gather a decent sample size before you make that decision. Decide in advance what that sample is. ⏱It could be time: A week, a month, a quarter 👀It could be views: 100, 1k or 10k #ContentWritingChat
— Amanda Webb – Digital Marketer 👩💻 (@Spiderworking) May 3, 2022
A6: Before you axe something look for the ‘Covert Benefits’. These are results that don't lead directly to sales but provide other benefits. Eg; New clients always mention my Digital Coffee show, it doesn’t drive direct sales but it builds trust so people buy.#ContentWritingChat
— Amanda Webb – Digital Marketer 👩💻 (@Spiderworking) May 3, 2022
Sometimes the content you worked so hard to create doesn’t perform as well as you’d hoped. It happens to the best of us and is no reason to be discouraged. Instead, follow Amanda’s advice. Figure out why your content is working by tweaking different elements to see if anything changes. You can swap your headline or test different CTAs to see what works best.
There’s no shame in abandoning a content format or strategy that isn’t working for you. Just make sure you’ve allowed ample time to measure your success to see if there are any benefits before moving onto something else.
A6. For published content, creating new fresh copy and images can be effective, as well as adjusting the times that the content is shared on social. For newer content, implement the elements above that you’ve seen previous success with. #ContentWritingChat
— Andrew C. Belton, MBA (@AndrewCBelton) May 3, 2022
Updating copy and adding new images can go a long way to refresh your content and drive more interest. And as Andrew said, something as simple as changing your posting schedule on social media can make a huge difference when it comes to driving impressions and engagement.
Q7: When is it worth putting advertising dollars behind a piece of content to generate more attention for it?
A7: If your content isn’t working, don’t immediately put money behind it. If it’s not working organically, chances are it won’t work in an ad and it will be expensive to promote it.
Instead, rework it until it performs and then put ad spend behind it.#ContentWritingChat
— Amanda Webb – Digital Marketer 👩💻 (@Spiderworking) May 3, 2022
A7: Put ad spend behind sales content so that the audience you have built and nurtured will see it. They are the people most likely to buy. But always test that sales content (you can do that within the ads interfaces).#ContentWritingChat
— Amanda Webb – Digital Marketer 👩💻 (@Spiderworking) May 3, 2022
Amanda’s advice is to not put money behind a piece of content that isn’t performing well organically. She suggests making some tweaks to boost performance before putting a portion of your advertising budget behind it. She also said it’s smart to put money behind sales content so you can increase conversions.
Want to join the next #ContentWritingChat? It happens on the first Tuesday of every month at 10 AM Central. Just follow @ExpWriters to stay updated.
From blog posts to social media content and email newsletters, we all want our content to convert. We want people to read something we’ve written and be inspired to take action.
We want them to visit our websites, leave comments, and purchase what we’re selling.
But is there a secret to writing content that converts to boost the success of what we create? That’s what we’re diving into in this #ContentWritingChat recap!
#ContentWritingChat Recap: How to Write Content That Converts
— Express Writers | Your Content Writing Partner (@ExpWriters) April 5, 2022
This month, we hosted a community chat and invited all the incredible creators in our community to step up to the plate and share their advice.
Q1: You should always keep your target audience in mind when writing content. What should you know about them that will help increase your conversion rate?
A1: Demographics but also psychographics: what brands are they buying/following, what type of content are they engaging with, what are their/goals/painpoints. #ContentWritingChat
— Jennifer L. Dawson (@JLDContentQueen) April 5, 2022
As Jennifer mentioned, it helps to first know the demographics of your audience. This includes their age, gender, and where they’re based in the world. She said it’s also smart to determine which brands they follow and purchase from, the kind of content they’re engaging with, and what their goals and pain points are. All of this will shape the content you create because it’ll help you speak directly to them and their needs.
a1 think of your audience as a group of unique people. what do they do? how do they have fun? what's their favourite type of content? are they readers 🗒️or listeners 🎙️?
if you don't know the answers to these questions, go ahead and ask them!#ContentWritingChat
— joana rita sousa 🦄 💩💎 (@JoanaRSSousa) April 5, 2022
You can even go as far as to find out what they do (professionally and in their free time), plus how they most enjoy consuming content.
A1. It is important to know where they are (What networks they use? Anything industry-specific?) as well as what are their pain points that they seek to improve, or trends in their industry that interest them. Craft content to attract them from there. #ContentWritingChat
— Andrew C. Belton, MBA (@AndrewCBelton) April 5, 2022
Andrew brought up a great point about knowing where your audience is spending their time online. It’s crucial that you invest in the platforms they’re most active on. Otherwise, they’ll be less likely to discover you. So, be where they are and create content that addresses their pain points.
A1. Think about what your target's searching for and the content gaps that are out there for it. What content could you create that's SO good they just might pay for it but you're offering it for free in exchange for a conversion (e.g. entry into your funnel)? #ContentWritingChathttps://t.co/jMUkjBMr7o
Knowing what your target audience is searching for online allows you to make note of any gaps in your content. This way, you’re able to discuss the topics that matter most to them, ultimately attracting more people to your brand.
Q2: How can you use emotion within your content to motivate a reader to take action?
A2. Every industry has pain points or common things that cause occasional or continuous concern that people in the industry would like to improve or address. Creating content crafted towards that can draw some emotions that makes the content more impactful. #ContentWritingChat
— Andrew C. Belton, MBA (@AndrewCBelton) April 5, 2022
When creating content that evokes emotions, you always want to address the most common pain points your audience struggles with.
A2. Tie the emotion either to (A) pain your target experiences or (B) the dream of what your target wants. We all know we rationalize what we were emotionally attracted to buy in the first place. Use that feeling to help your target connect to your stories.#ContentWritingChathttps://t.co/XmyqA1oELr
Andrea offered some great advice. She suggested tying emotion to the pain points of your target audience or to the dream they’re trying to achieve. That will help you to better connect with them and will increase the likelihood that they’ll convert.
A2: Every story you tell should "build-up" and include twists and turns. No one likes a flat storyline, so stick to one that feels more like a roller coaster — one that takes you through an entertaining journey. #ContentWritingChat
Don’t be afraid to take people on a journey with the story you tell because it’s sure to get them feeling emotional. Plus, it’s more likely to hold their attention throughout.
A2: I think user/product testimonials are always good. This goes back to knowing your audience, as this allows them to connect with someone "like me" and see their success or how their problem was solved #ContentWritingChat
— Jennifer L. Dawson (@JLDContentQueen) April 5, 2022
Jennifer suggests also sharing some testimonials from past clients or customers. This is relatable and allows them to see how your offering has been a game-changer in their lives.
Q3: Urgency is a great way to boost your conversion rate. How can you communicate urgency through your content?
A3. Things such as call-to-actions, limited time offers, graphics that showcase something indicating an effective time period. #ContentWritingChat
— Andrew C. Belton, MBA (@AndrewCBelton) April 5, 2022
Always remember to include a call to action so you can let people know what that next step is. But to create that sense of urgency, you can also add a limited-time offer to make it even more enticing.
A3: Simple ways to communicate urgency include letting people know there's a deadline to sign up/purchase or mention that there's limited spots available. #ContentWritingChat
If there’s a deadline to sign up or limited spots, be sure to share those details. People won’t want to miss out on an offer that resonates with them, so they’ll be more inclined to purchase when they know a deal is expiring.
Q3: Email comes to mind here. We've all gotten those "ends tonight" sale emails. But urgency in long content (blog, product page) can be trickier. Emphasize quickness of experience/product or testimonial of someone who wished they purchased sooner #ContentWritingChat
— Jennifer L. Dawson (@JLDContentQueen) April 5, 2022
Email marketing is one of the most common ways people communicate urgency, as Jennifer pointed out. Those emails indicating a sale is ending always seem to land in our inboxes!
Q4: There are various copywriting formulas content creators turn to, such as PAS (Problem – Agitate – Solve). Do you have a favorite?
A4: PAS is my go-to. Showing a problem or challenge and how your product/service can help your audince to solve/overcome. And make it about empowering/equipping the audience; not that the product is a silver bullet that's going to flux everything. #ContentWritingChat
— Jennifer L. Dawson (@JLDContentQueen) April 5, 2022
PAS is definitely a go-to and easy for any creator to utilize. Give it a try the next time you’re writing copy!
Q5: Sometimes there are obstacles preventing someone from taking action after consuming your content. How do you eliminate those obstacles to increase your conversion rate?
To remove obstacles to conversion: use the right content-sharing platform to prompt action, ensure mobile optimization, offer a call-to-action that matches the messaging, and use real-time solutions for individualized follow-up. #ContentWritingChat
Make sure your website is mobile-friendly so people can easily check out from their smartphones. That’s a must in this day and age!
A5. Limit the amount of actions that it takes to get a conversion such as not having a lot of pages to go through, remove distracting or irrelevant information on landing pages but still have a ‘Contact Us’ section to increase the likelihood of communication. #contentwritingchat
— Andrew C. Belton, MBA (@AndrewCBelton) April 5, 2022
Andrew suggests removing any distractions on your landing pages and make it super easy for people to click that “buy now” button. If people have to jump through hoops to sign up for something or check out, they’ll potentially leave.
Q6: A/B split testing is an important part of conversion copywriting so you can see which content performs best. What elements of your content can you tweak and test?
A6: Switch up your headlines, your CTA, any buttons, and even the images you're using. You may also want to tweak your copy. Just change one thing at a time so you can really narrow down what's driving the most conversions. #ContentWritingChat
There are a number of things you can tweak when split testing. Consider changing your headlines, CTA, buttons, and the images you’ve used. Your copy can be rewritten too. Just be sure you only change one thing at a time so you can see which element is really making the difference.
A6: Subject lines, headlines, hero images – these are probably the most important to attracting people and the easiest to swap out #ContentWritingChat
— Jennifer L. Dawson (@JLDContentQueen) April 5, 2022
Jennifer agrees. Switch up email subject lines, headlines, and images to see what appears to resonate the most with your audience.
Q7: Which metrics can you track to determine how successful your content is?
A7. Typically clicks, time on page, clicks to other pages and contact/form conversions if the content had a specific objective. I also like to look at Acquisition to see what methods were effective at drawing the traffic. #ContentWritingChat
— Andrew C. Belton, MBA (@AndrewCBelton) April 5, 2022
Andrew suggests tracking metrics like clicks, time on page, etc. Ultimately, it goes back to the goals you set for a piece of content. Did you achieve what you set out to do?
A7: Open rate, click through rate, pageviews, conversion rate and setting up the right "conversion" parameters (see CTA that matches messaging) #ContentWritingChat
— Jennifer L. Dawson (@JLDContentQueen) April 5, 2022
Open rate, click-through rate, page views, and conversion rate are all important to track. This will allow you to see how successful your content has been.
Q8: Are there any tools to help measure the effectiveness of your content?
A8: Google analytics is probably the tried-and-true but @ahrefs and @semrush are great for looking at performance and health of your website/blog content #ContentWritingChat
— Jennifer L. Dawson (@JLDContentQueen) April 5, 2022
Google Analytics, Ahrefs, and SEMrush are always favorites!
A8. Primarily Google Analytics, the analytics on the website system and Hootsuite for social media metrics #contentwritingchat
— Andrew C. Belton, MBA (@AndrewCBelton) April 5, 2022
Don’t forget to use the built-in analytics for your social media scheduling tool, like the ones on Hootsuite.
Want to hang out with us for the next #ContentWritingChat? Mark your calendar for the first Tuesday of every month at 10 AM Central. Then, follow @ExpWriters to stay updated!
There’s no denying that social media is a powerful way to establish your authority online and make connections with new people from around the world.
However, the road to becoming a social media pro isn’t always an easy one. There are so many platforms to consider, algorithms to deal with, and then you have to create content!
Luckily, in this #ContentWritingChat recap, we’re sharing some social media marketing tips that you can implement throughout the year ahead. We discuss the top tools to check out, training options to enhance your skills, and more.
#ContentWritingChat Recap: Mastering Social Media Marketing in 2022 with Andrew C. Belton
— Express Writers | Your Content Writing Partner (@ExpWriters) March 1, 2022
Our guest host for this month’s chat was Andrew C. Belton. Andrew is a Social Media Marketing Strategist, as well as the founder of Symmetrical Media Marketing. He joined #ContentWritingChat to share his expertise and help you take your social media presence to the next level. So, let’s dive into the tips!
Q1: Which platforms are you focusing on building for your brand or company?
A1. My platform of focus has primarily been LinkedIn for B2B brand building, content publishing, creating and maintaining professional connections. My company has also focused on Twitter and is working towards building a greater presence on Facebook/Meta. #ContentWritingChathttps://t.co/OY6x8jCwAt
— Andrew C. Belton, MBA (@AndrewCBelton) March 1, 2022
For Andrew, his primary focus when it comes to social media marketing has been LinkedIn. It’s a great platform for making professional connections, as well as for publishing content. Andrew’s company is also giving extra attention to Twitter and Facebook.
A1: LinkedIn and Twitter personally
Adding FB for the company #ContentWritingChat
— Andrew C. Belton, MBA (@AndrewCBelton) March 1, 2022
Hootsuite is a favorite for Andew and it’s the tool he frequently recommends to clients. He also likes using IFTTT for automation, as well as Canva for designing graphics.
Here at Express Writers, MeetEdgar has long been a go-to for our team. We like that it allows us to create a schedule focused around certain types of content. Plus, you can build a library of content that repeats forever for platforms like Facebook.
We have another Hootsuite recommendation! SproutSocial is also a tool worth checking out. But as Asangi knows, you can’t go wrong with a trusty Excel workbook. Sometimes all you need is a good spreadsheet.
A2. Currently pen, paper, & post-its. I’ll be listening with interest here. #ContentWritingChat
Dana keeps it simple with a pen, paper, and Post-Its. After all, it’s really about using the tools and methods that work best for YOU. And if you’re a team of one, you don’t necessarily need digital tools for planning.
Q3: What kind of training have you pursued or is offered by your company for social media marketing?
— Andrew C. Belton, MBA (@AndrewCBelton) March 1, 2022
Andrew recommends checking out programs from both Hootsuite and HubSpot Academy. Each offer some robust programs that will help you take your social media marketing skills to the next level.
We tried Facebook Blueprint certs, but the program just wasn’t compete enough for us to spend the time and dollars. We now hold yearly internal stay conferences where team members recommend webinars and we have training time together. #contentwritingchat
Thomas has previously tried the Facebook Blueprint certifications, but found it wasn’t the right fit for his needs. That’s why it’s important to research and see what these various programs offer so you can be sure you’re making a smart investment. Instead, his team hosts internal conferences where everyone can recommend webinars and they can have training time together.
A3: no training as such. Learnt on the job by doing 😁
Taking some online courses and Googling when I need help #ContentWritingChat
There’s nothing quite like getting hands-on experience! Sometimes the best way to learn is to just dive in and do the job. Over time, you’ll learn a thing or two yourself. However, there’s nothing wrong with turning to online courses or Googling when you need extra help, as Asangi knows.
A3. I’m a solopreneur, so basically learn by mad googling and then reading/watching what’s relevant. The difficulty is figuring out what’s relevant. That’s one reason I value Twitter chats & people who are willing to share their knowledge. #ContentWritingChat
Dana has no problem using Google when she needs to find information on a certain topic. She also loves joining Twitter chats, as they’re a fantastic way to learn from others and to expand your knowledge.
Q4: What recent trends have you noticed in social media marketing?
A4. There has been an increase in the adoption of short video ‘bite-sized’ content that businesses of all sizes have started to use. Most younger social media users are gravitating towards platforms that are video or image based like Instagram and TikTok. #contentwritingchathttps://t.co/wvi9wrAkED
— Andrew C. Belton, MBA (@AndrewCBelton) March 1, 2022
As Andrew pointed out, short-form videos are all the rage these days, particularly with platforms like TikTok and Instagram Reels. If you know your audience is interested in this kind of content, it would be worth experimenting to see how it performs for you.
A4. The main one I’ve noticed is the trend toward audio & video. Twitter Spaces has only been around for a year, but it’s already been a huge game-changer. #ContentWritingChat
Dana has also noticed video content has become an even bigger trend, but so has audio. As she mentioned, Twitter Spaces has really taken off and has become a powerful way for creators on the platform to provide value and make new connections.
Shift from paid ads to influencer marketing has been fast for us.
Thomas is noticing a shift away from paid ads and seeing brands invest more in influencer marketing instead. Considering people are often inclined to take advice and recommendations from their favorite influencers, it’s no wonder they’re prioritizing these types of collaborations.
Q5: What resources do you use when reviewing your social media strategy and data?
A5. Primarily @hootsuite Analytics and when it pertains to website traffic I would review Google analytics. Also, don’t underestimate the highly detailed metrics that LinkedIn and Facebook/Meta has on its platform with regards to user demographics. #contentwritingchathttps://t.co/Cimv7Yq9x2
— Andrew C. Belton, MBA (@AndrewCBelton) March 1, 2022
Built-in analytics from platforms like LinkedIn and Facebook can offer some powerful data that will shape your social media marketing strategy. However, Andrew also likes to use Hootsuite’s analytics and Google Analytics as well.
everything you can imagine –
✅Google Trends for trendspotting
✅TikTok FYP
✅Client feedback
✅@semrush research for popular content
✅hashtag trends
✅national day of whatever calendars#contentwritingchat
Thomas has tons of tools he relies on, including Google Trends and SEMrush. You also can’t forget the feedback you receive from your own clients.
Q6: What are some tips that you would provide for small businesses regarding social media management?
A6. Start by identifying organizational goals, create a plan, identify resources, employ a unified and efficient strategy. For smaller businesses, start small and focus on platforms where your content will resonate, also consider where your target audience is. #contentwritingchathttps://t.co/mjqotvgwiq
— Andrew C. Belton, MBA (@AndrewCBelton) March 1, 2022
As Andrew knows, it always starts with knowing your goals. This will help shape the plan you create for your social media presence, assist you in choosing relevant resources, and more.
A6. Find out where your audience is, and be there. Get familiar with those platforms & the type of content that works well on them. Repurpose content for different platforms-there’s no need to reinvent the wheel every time you post. #ContentWritingChat
Dana’s advice is to figure out where your audience is because those are the platforms you want to invest your time and energy into. This way, you stand a better chance at getting your content in front of the right people. From there, you can create and repurpose content that will resonate with them.
A6: Just because there is a channel doesn’t mean it fits. Look at the nature of your business and your target audience and narrow it down to a few channels.
Be consistent & human. Offer value. Keep it simple #ContentWritingChat
Asangi suggests narrowing down your social media channels to the ones that best fit your business and its needs. You don’t need to be everywhere online.
A6: Batch your content creation. Block off however much time you need and focus on just creating content for your social platforms. Then, you can have everything scheduled and ready to go in advance. #ContentWritingChat
It helps to batch your content creation, so try blocking off time to create as many social media posts as you can. Then, you can start scheduling them through your favorite third-party tool. This is great for boosting your consistency and you’ll never have to worry about your accounts going inactive.
Q7: How have you adapted your content to perform optimally on social media?
A7. Content is starting to increasingly vary in format and presentation with the rise of new platforms therefore making it important to tailor text and video (based on length), adjust image specs, etc. #contentwritingchathttps://t.co/oYzxBL81H9
— Andrew C. Belton, MBA (@AndrewCBelton) March 1, 2022
It’s important to familiarize yourself with what works best for each platform in terms of content because each one is different. Then, as Andrew said, you can tailor your posts accordingly.
A7. Easily, the biggest step I took was defining my target audience. It may sound basic to content marketers but isn’t always an automatic for fiction authors, especially if they don’t write in an established genre. #ContentWritingChat
Know who your target audience is! Dana realizes this step is crucial not just in choosing the platforms you use, but also in shaping the content you’re publishing.
Q8: What are some tips that you have for someone looking to start a career in digital marketing?
A8. My first professional experience with digital marketing was with an internship after my first year in college. I’d recommend pursing internships if you are in college. I’d also recommend networking with professional in the industry. #contentwritingchathttps://t.co/FI4SOylJCq
— Andrew C. Belton, MBA (@AndrewCBelton) March 1, 2022
A8-2. I’d also recommend taking online courses from industry-leading companies. Hootsuite and Hubspot academy are where I would start. It helped me get my current job because they were already using Hootsuite so my experience was helpful! #contentwritingchathttps://t.co/FI4SOylJCq
— Andrew C. Belton, MBA (@AndrewCBelton) March 1, 2022
If you’re in college, Andrew’s advice is to pursue an internship is possible. This can be a great way to get hands-on experience that will also make it easier to land jobs in the future. He also suggests taking online courses, like the ones from Hootsuite and HubSpot.
A8: Be open to learning! There are so many great resources online (both free and paid) that can assist you in starting your marketing career. #ContentWritingChat
Make sure you’re open to learning new things. While you may think you know it all, there’s always room for improvement, so don’t be afraid to invest in resources that will help you grow.
A8. This is the same advice I give to anyone who wants a career in a given area:
Learn as much as you can about this field before committing to it.
Look for mentors who are doing what you’d like to be doing.
Dana suggests looking for mentors that you can connect with and learn from. Those who are doing what you’d like to do have so much to offer.
Want to hang out during our next #ContentWritingChat? Mark your calendars for the first Tuesday of every month at 10 AM Central. Then, be sure to follow @ExpWriters to stay updated!
Does your brand have a content strategy in place for the year ahead? If not, it’s time to make a change!
A content strategy encourages you to have a purpose behind the content you’re posting, while also helping you reach your business goals. Plus, it’ll help you stay consistent. When your content is already planned out, there’s no need to question what to post next.
So, you may be wondering… How do I create an effective content strategy? Well, we have some answers for you in this #ContentWritingChat recap.
#ContentWritingChat Recap: Developing a Content Strategy in 2022
Today, we'll be chatting all about developing an effective content strategy for 2022. 📝 pic.twitter.com/HZfBrVKt6B
— Express Writers | Your Content Writing Partner (@ExpWriters) February 1, 2022
To ensure 2022 is a success for your brand, it’s time to take your content seriously. For this month’s community chat, we went over some key elements of crafting a content strategy.
Q1: What are the primary benefits of having a content strategy for your brand?
A1. The primary benefit would be that having a content strategy allows you to consistently create quality aligned with the values of your brand and you can build a credible reputation with your audience that should keep them coming back. #contentwritingchat
As Andrew pointed out, it’s all about consistency. Having a content strategy allows you to be consistent in your posting frequency, but it also helps you to be consistent in creating content that’s aligned with your brand. What you publish online should be a reflection of your brand’s mission and its values.
A1: The main benefit of having a content strategy is consistency. When you have your content planned out, you'll know what you need to be posting. No scrambling to come up with ideas or complaining you don't know what to post. #ContentWritingChat
With a strategy in place, your content will be all planned out. This means you’ll never have to wonder what to post about, nor will you be scrambling for ideas at the last minute.
A1. Having a content schedule increases the chances that you’ll consistently add value for your audience. I’m all for inspiration, though I’ve found it’s more likely to happen when you’re not worried about filling space or meeting deadlines. #ContentWritingChat
Dana feels inspiration is more likely to strike when you aren’t worried about filling a content calendar or meeting deadlines. So, don’t be afraid to plan ahead to create more consistency in your posting schedule.
Q2: Creating a content strategy starts with knowing your goals. How can you ensure the content you publish online will help you achieve big things?
A2: Start with your audience goals, then look at your goals (your goals should be a sub set of audience goals) Make the match and use connect as a channel to get the message across #ContentWritingChat
— Kushlani De Silva #fitmarketing (@kushlani_ds) February 1, 2022
You definitely want to keep your goals in mind when it comes to planning out your content. You can use your goals to shape the kind of content you’re publishing in terms of formats, topics, etc.
A2. Identify what topics are interesting to the target audience as well as identifying pain-points that they may be concerned about and want to learn about. The content would be informative, build credibility and tie into business objectives #contentwritingchat
It always goes back to finding ways you can serve your audience. Create content based on what’s interesting to them and what will address their pain points.
Q3: Where do you get fresh content ideas that will appeal to your audience?
a3 i follow content creators that really inspire me to get fresh ideas.
⚠️ we don't have to invent the wheel, we just need to associate things, create new connections#contentwritingchat
Sometimes it’s as simple as seeing what your favorite creators are talking about. That can help generate tons of new ideas!
A3: Social Media, articles, and as of late challenges cited by clients. Best way to appeal to your audience is to learn about what they want to learn/do #ContentWritingChat
— Kushlani De Silva #fitmarketing (@kushlani_ds) February 1, 2022
Kushlani finds that scrolling social media, reading articles, and talking to her clients about challenges can be a great source of inspiration for her content strategy.
Andrew turns to research studies, polls, and the latest news to help him generate content ideas.
A3. I’m a voracious reader, watch all kinds of films & TV shows, do online chats, talk with people. And I’m a big believer in asking your audience what they’d like-it’s usually the easiest way to find out. #ContentWritingChat
Dana said watching all different genres of TV and movies is helpful for her when she needs to get the creative juices flowing. And of course, you can’t go wrong with simply asking your audience what they’d like to see from you. They’ll share their thoughts.
Q4: How do you decide if it’s worthwhile to invest in a new content format? Do you follow the trends or stick to what you know?
A4: When it comes to choosing your content formats, go for something that appeals to your audience and showcases your strengths. However, you shouldn't be afraid to test out something new! #ContentWritingChat
The content formats you choose should fit two main requirements: it should showcase your strengths and appeal to your target audience. This will increase your odds for success.
a4 i keep an 👀 eye on the trends and i'm available to try out new formats. it helps me to think of social media as a lab where you can try, measure and stick to what works #contentwritingchat
Joana sees the value in experimenting with trends. After all, you never know when something may take off for your brand and perform really well.
A4: it’s a good thing to try a new idea/ trend. Especially if things you have been doing all along is showing a declining trend in engagement. But before you go with the flow evaluate to see if it meets your objectives. #contentwritingchat
It’s also smart to consider how something fits into your budget. Do you have the money to invest in pursuing these new content ideas?
Q5: How does distribution play a role in your content strategy? What ways do you spread the word about the content you’ve created?
A5. Content distribution is an integral part of the process. Social media, email marketing, messaging to personal and LinkedIn contacts that may find it interesting, also employee advocacy, if applicable. #contentwritingchat
Social media and email marketing are common distribution tactics to include in your content strategy. That’s because they’ve been shown to be effective at generating traffic. Other tactics Andrew relies on are personally messaging his LinkedIn contacts that may benefit from his content and employee advocacy.
A5. I’m creating an author website to have more control over content distribution. My plan is to have an email newsletter & also share posts over social media. #ContentWritingChat
Dana plans to focus on social media and email marketing for her distribution plan as well.
A5: Bad distribution can kill good content. Distribution is influenced by
The type and kind of content Audience consumption patterns Content goals Distribution goals #ContentWritingChat
— Kushlani De Silva #fitmarketing (@kushlani_ds) February 1, 2022
Kushlani’s advice is to consider the type of content, your audience consumption, content goals, and distribution goals before fleshing out your distribution strategy.
Q6: How often do you check your analytics to measure the results of your content strategy? And when do you make changes if something isn’t working?
a6 i check analytics twice a month and make decisions about changes every 3 months. i need to let things "breathe", try this and that, see what happens, consider context… and then make decisions. #contentwritingchat
Joana checks her analytics regularly, twice a month in fact. However, she waits three months before making changes. This allows ample time to see how your content is performing.
A6. Typically check analytics weekly on each post, along with social media metrics to monitor how the posts are performing. Having automated analytics reports from @hootsuite is helpful. I typically change promotional copy and post times to help promotion. #contentwritingchat
Andrew checks his analytics weekly and receives automated reports from Hootsuite to assist with this.
A6: as often as you need to based on the type of content. Some content are meant to be longer term (case studies) Change/ boost/ repost when you see a drop in conversions but this too depends on the type and objective of the content #contentwritingchat
You may even find that you want to give certain types of content more time before you start diving into the analytics of a post.
Q7: Accessibility is crucial to ensure everyone can enjoy your content. What changes can you make in your content strategy to accommodate those who may be visually impaired or hearing impaired?
A7: Always add captions to your videos, alt text for images, and transcripts for podcasts. #ContentWritingChat
Captions, alt text, and transcripts are crucial when creating accessible content.
A7: a simple strategy to convert some major pieces like converting case studies in to videos (with captions and voice over) will ensure this #contentwritingchat
Taking one piece of content and making it available in different formats can be very effective. As Asangi said, you can turn a case study into a video and also include captions to make it accessible.
A7. This is an issue that is extremely important to me, and one I’m working to address on my website. It’s particularly tricky given the move toward video & audio. Even on social media, I add description before I post a gif or photo. #ContentWritingChat
Besides relying on her brain, Joana uses paper and pen, a content calendar, and a social media scheduler to be a content pro.
Want to join us for the next #ContentWritingChat? Mark your calendars for the first Tuesday of every month at 10 AM Central. Then, follow @ExpWriters for all the latest!
If you want to succeed in business, it’s important that you take time to build the Know, Like, and Trust Factor with your audience. That’s because customers are only going to be inclined to do business with brands they trust. Meaning, if they don’t see you as a trustworthy and reliable source of information in your field, they probably won’t ever make a purchase. And we all want to be profitable, right?
So, the question is… How do you build this all-important KLT Factor to set your business up to thrive? Well, one way is to produce amazing content! And in this #ContentWritingChat recap, you’ll learn how to create online content that attracts your target audience and makes them fall in love with you.
#ContentWritingChat Recap: Building the KLT Factor Through Online Content
Welcome to #ContentWritingChat! It's our first chat of 2022 and we're so excited to have you joining us. 😊
Today, we're hosting a community chat all about building the Know, Like, and Trust Factor through your online content. pic.twitter.com/RKK2pO5nXM
— Express Writers | Your Content Writing Partner (@ExpWriters) January 4, 2022
This month, we hosted a community chat, giving our awesome chat participants the chance to shine. They shared some great tips on building the KLT Factor, so let’s dive into the recap.
Q1: The Know, Like, and Trust (KLT) Factor is often talked about by creators and marketers. Why is this such an important thing to focus on when building your brand?
— Jim Katzaman – Get Debt-Free One Family at a Time (@JKatzaman) January 4, 2022
If people don’t know who you are, you’ll miss out on tons of opportunities to build relationships, land sales, and more. That’s why the first step is to get yourself out there and become known.
Q1: It has a lot to do with the final T – Trust. To sustain any relationship you need trust, thats why it it super important to go beyond simple awareness, and make sure your audience trusts you and your brand. #ContentWritingChat
— Kushlani De Silva #fitmarketing (@kushlani_ds) January 4, 2022
As Kushlani said, it really comes down to the final element: trust. Without that, it’s going to be difficult for your business to grow and generate sales. People need to know they can count on you before they’ll spend any money with you.
a1 to create leads and business for your. brand you need to: 💕 share your brand & values; 🤝 create a community around you; 🍟 nurture a community that will share your brand #contentwritingchat
Part of building the KLT Factor is creating and nurturing your community online. This will ensure you’re developing strong, long-lasting relationships with your customers.
A1. Meaningful relationships are built on trust, which doesn’t happen unless you’re known and liked. Trust is the ultimate goal here. #ContentWritingChat
And of course, you can’t have trust without first being known and liked. You have to start at the beginning by generating awareness and getting people interested in who you are and what you do.
Q2: The first element of the KLT Factor is becoming known. How can a brand generate more awareness to build an audience of their target clients/customers?
A2: It's all about being present and showing up online. Where can you be to get in front of your target audience?
Create content on your blog, YouTube, or a podcast. Be on social media as well. And make connections. #ContentWritingChat
You need to make sure you’re showing up online and doing so consistently. By regularly putting out valuable content, whether it’s on a blog or another platform, you increase the odds of being discovered by a new audience.
A2 A brand has to listen and learn from its audience's wants and needs. Then come back with solutions to heal those pain points. People will see, learn and spread the word about your performance. #ContentWritingChat
— Jim Katzaman – Get Debt-Free One Family at a Time (@JKatzaman) January 4, 2022
As you create content, follow Jim’s advice. Use it as an opportunity to address the pain points your audience is struggling with. If you can provide solutions to their problems, they’ll be more inclined to keep coming back.
A2: By being present in the right communities and distributing knowledge through the right channels and doing it consistently. #ContentWritingChat
— Kushlani De Silva #fitmarketing (@kushlani_ds) January 4, 2022
Being part of the right communities (the ones where your target audience spends their time) is going to boost awareness greatly. Use the social media platforms they’re active on. Join Twitter chats and Facebook groups they frequent. Just get yourself out there.
Q3: Next, you want your audience to like you. How do you create content that will get your audience interested and make them fall in love with the work you’re doing?
— Kushlani De Silva #fitmarketing (@kushlani_ds) January 4, 2022
In order for your content to appeal to people, make sure it’s relevant to their needs, something they’re looking for in the moment, and authentic to your brand voice and values.
A3 For your audience to like you, create content that is relatable, be human and use social listening to know what content they need #contentwritingchat
Relatable content will help you win over potential customers. That’s why it’s so important to figure out what they want so you can create it. Social listening is a great practice for understanding their needs.
A3. Do: Ask people what they need & work to provide it Engage in social listening Be your best self
Don’t: Talk about you and your work nonstop Turn every conversation into a sales pitch #ContentWritingChat
If you aren’t sure what people want from you, don’t be afraid to ask. Many will be happy to share their thoughts with you, which can ultimately be turned into content.
Q4: Authenticity is important if you want to become a likable brand. What makes a brand authentic and how can they embrace this through their content?
A4: Authenticity means being true to your audience and being honest in your messaging and products/services. If your content reflects the same, you can maintain authenticity across the board. #ContentWritingChat
— Kushlani De Silva #fitmarketing (@kushlani_ds) January 4, 2022
Having an authentic brand is about being true to your your mission and your values. It’s about honesty and transparency in your messaging. People notice these things and will develop a stronger connection with authentic brands.
A4 Brands gain authenticity through user-generated content. Crow about yourself all you want, but it's satisfied, enthusiastic customers who will give you your most authentic, credible boost. #ContentWritingChat
— Jim Katzaman – Get Debt-Free One Family at a Time (@JKatzaman) January 4, 2022
As Jim pointed out, user-generated content is great for boosting authenticity because it shows that others love and support your brand. This can be helpful in building trust long-term because it provides reassurance before someone makes an investment in your offerings.
A4. It's simple. Being authentic means being real and consistent on what you stand for as a business.
When creating content be real and stand up for what you believe as a brand in your writing #contentwritingchat
Be real and consistent when it comes to what your business stands for. Sometimes people will connect with a brand simply because they share the same values. So, always stand firm in what you believe in.
A4. Being authentic means being your truest self. That doesn’t mean you’re perfect-sometimes it’ll mean you admit to mistakes. Being authentic also means you’re relatable, and everyone makes mistakes. Show this in content as it adds value for your audience. #ContentWritingChat
And if there’s ever a moment where you mess up, own up to it. Apologize. We’re all human and we make mistakes. The worst thing you can to is ignore it. Be true to yourself and address the situation.
Q5: Finally, you can build trust by positioning yourself as an authority in your field. How does a brand become the go-to expert over their competitors?
A5 Note what your competitors do. Think about how you can do it better, particularly if your approach is different. Back up whatever you say with facts. Be responsive and follow-up. Make yourself the brands people think of first in a good way. #ContentWritingChat
— Jim Katzaman – Get Debt-Free One Family at a Time (@JKatzaman) January 4, 2022
It helps to first study your competitors. Get clear on what they’re doing and identify areas you can step up to the plate and be better or different. When you can identify gaps in their content or offerings, you can fill them more easily and attract new people to you.
A5: Always deliver on your promises to your audience. When people can count on you to provide amazing, valuable content, they'll keep coming back. #ContentWritingChat
If you make a promise, deliver on it. In fact, you should aim to over-deliver. By showing up and providing exactly what your audience needs in the moment, you’ll stand a better chance at securing customers over your competitors.
a5
👉🏽 showing expertise on certain topics (blog posts, infographics, tweets, polls) 👉🏽 being a content curator for your community#contentwritingchat
Position yourself as an expert in your field. While this won’t happen overnight, it’s a long-term game that’s worth playing. Joana suggests using formats like blogs and infographics for showcasing expertise.
Q6: Are there certain types of content (like behind-the-scenes content, for example) that brands should prioritize to build the KLT Factor with their audience?
A6 User-generated content is gold. It's handed to you without obligation and reflects genuine feelings. Best of all, UGC costs you nothing but engagement and goodwill. #ContentWritingChat
— Jim Katzaman – Get Debt-Free One Family at a Time (@JKatzaman) January 4, 2022
Jim is a big fan of user-generated content. Because this is content your audience has created, it doesn’t require any extra work on your part. You merely need to keep an eye out for the posts people share about your brand. Then, you can repost it to your own accounts.
a6
I think that sharing the "how to" around your brand and processes, sharing the good things and the bad things, not being afraid of being vulnerable in your community – this is key to work around KLT Factor#contentwritingchat
Sharing both the good and the bad is truly relatable and can help people form a closer bond with your brand. Don’t be afraid to be vulnerable because it’s those moments that just might make someone love you and your work even more.
A6: I personally love BTS content and think its a great wya to showcase the "human" element of your brand. It can apply to any brand, tech, FMCG, retail #ContentWritingChat
— Kushlani De Silva #fitmarketing (@kushlani_ds) January 4, 2022
As Kushlani said, behind the scenes content is always a winner. It shows off the human side of your brand and can be helpful in building each of the three elements of the KLT Factor.
Q7: How do you know if you’ve successfully built the KLT Factor? Will there be certain metrics to track so you’ll know if you’re moving forward?
A7 Set up meaningful metrics for your business. Converting leads is obvious return on investment. Then look to engagements that take the most consumer work: likes are OK, but retweets, shares, comments and reviews show people really care. #ContentWritingChat
— Jim Katzaman – Get Debt-Free One Family at a Time (@JKatzaman) January 4, 2022
Conversions are often where it’s at because we want to know that we’re making a profit. However, you may also want to track things like shares and comments because they can indicate what really resonates with your audience.
A7: Create content for people not search engines, but ultimately, the proof will be in the search results. KLT leads to EAT for improved SERP #ContentWritingChat
You can also monitor your rankings in the search results. The higher your content ranks on Google, the more chances you have of building that first element of the KLT Factor: becoming known.
A7. Shares or referrals say a lot, imo. Being recommended is both a huge compliment and a vote of confidence. You can also tell a lot from comments and online conversations. #ContentWritingChat
Is there anything more satisfying than a referral? Not only does it show you’ve successfully served customers in the past, but it really shows their appreciation when they send a friend your way.
Want to join the next #ContentWritingChat? It happens on the first Tuesday of every month at 10 AM Central Time. Follow @ExpWriters so you don’t miss out!