If you’ve seen the term “content marketing” and wondered what it means, you’re not alone. The smart folks at copyblogger have a simple definition for this hot marketing term: creating and freely sharing informative articles – copy that at its core educates and informs, and sometimes – entertains.
Good examples of educational and informational content include:
• White papers – your perspective, in your own words, on your business or industry and ideas for doing it better.
• Buying guides – develop a set of decision criteria your prospects and clients can use to make smarter buying decisions about your products or services.
• Success stories – provide an account of steps taken, and lessons learned.
• Failure stories – provide an account of steps taken, and lessons learned.
You’re also not alone if you’re not quite sure how to begin writing for your business. Yes, it takes time to write these pieces but their value is very high. You don’t have to be Hemingway to do it, but the style guidelines he followed are timeless and helpful in getting started. When he joined The Kansas City Star in 1917 as a cub reporter, he was given a set of rules that guided his writing throughout his career. Here’s the essence of the original 110-item list:
1. Use short declarative sentences – no unnecessary adjectives.
2. Open with short paragraphs – no unnecessary sentences.
3. Use vigorous English – use active voice.
4. Be positive, not negative – say what something is rather than what it isn’t.
If you’re looking to add more content to your marketing toolkit and need some inspiration or guidance, visit the copyblogger website.
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