Before I started creating content for my campaigns, I was a bit in shock, it was too much. Many textures and styles to learn, multiple applications to work with, and many guidelines to adhere to. But throughout time, I have learned that It is not enough to produce content – you have to ensure that it is effective.
If you are working with a business or trying to run a digital marketing campaign, you already know that content can be the most important factor for your success or failure. Be it a blog article, a video clip, or a caption for a post, every content created has one aim – to communicate with an audience and record a measurable outcome. So, let me take you through a few of the best practices I have been able to adopt to boost your content creation process.
1. Start with a Solid Content Strategy
Let’s put it out. It doesn’t matter how creative a spark you can have, without being backed up by a proper plan it can result in a fruitless effort of throwing darts into the wall. Before creating anything, ask yourself:
Who is my audience and who am I designing or writing for? Young business people? Parenting mothers? Or an owner of a local business? This information can help in so many aspects from the language you use to the media you opt for.
What’s the objective of this content? Be it educate, engage, or convert. This will direct the way you organize your content. A perfect example is the long blog poster, it can be used in education, however, for engagement, a short video can work better.
And lastly, where is this content going to be posted? It doesn’t have to be across social media. Video format ideally works well on Instagram however a blog would work best on the website.
Once I got into the mentality of how to go about constructing content and focusing on the end goal, results began to change for the better.
2. Focus on SEO Content, but Don’t Write for Robots
Let me tell you about a mistake I made when I was just starting out – stuffing keywords into the content because I thought it was what would get me to the top of the Google rankings. Spoilers: no.
SEO content, like anything else, is a proportional affair. You need to mention their primary keywords, such as content creation, as well as related terms content strategy, or blog creation, but in a fluid manner. Here’s how I do it:
Start with research. I use tools, for example, SEMrush or GoogleKW, to find those phrases that people are looking for. For this blog, for instance, it was obvious that “ content creation tips” and “SEO content” were among the popular words.
Write for humans first. After I had my keywords, I became uninterested in them. Rather, I aim at a particular audience problem zone and seek to solve it or answer their questions.
Optimize after you write. When the post is done, I go through it and add words where appropriate, including headliners, sub-headings, or image descriptions.
And the best part? You are making them seek and read what you have produced.
3. Don’t Underestimate the Power of Blogs
If you do not have a blog site, you are missing out on earning opportunities. Blogs are considered crucial in establishing your credibility, earning trust from visitors, and offering useful content.
For every blog I write, I make sure to follow these strategies:
Begin with a bang. The reader’s first sentence needs to attract the reader’s attention. For example, “Building content is like making a meal, you need to have a proper strategy or you will just create a mess.”
Make it personal. Pretend to explain what you are trying to say to a friend who you want to have a coffee with. It keeps the tone interesting.
No one likes reading large blocks of text. Subheadings, bullet points, and images will help make your blog easy to read.
Never forget to add a call to action (CTA). What should the readers do after reading your piece? Is it about subscribing to your newsletter? Or maybe checking some of the services that you provide? Let them know.
4. Experiment with Video Content Creation
If you do not incorporate videos into your content strategy, you are losing one of the more stimulating formats. I understand that video might appear more daunting than useful: what if the production quality turns out to be terrible or what if I feel too shy to appear on camera? This is what I have come to understand.
You don’t have to go big on your first shot; that’s the best way to get started. Your initial videos don’t have to be expensive. Hit record on your smartphone and ensure there is enough lighting and sound. A 30-second tutorial for Instagram Stories will work just as fine as an extended YouTube tutorial.
Recast your video into the content that was already available. If you’ve got a blog, this one will be a breeze. For instance, this blog post could easily be a part of the “how to make videos” series of short clips.
Target your audience on each platform. Understand that while on Instagram, the video should be short and to the point, on the other hand, YouTube offers more flexibility with details. Focus on adapting content to the type of media.
5. Don’t Skip Analytics
Here’s something I wish I had known earlier: the job doesn’t end once you hit “publish.” To really grow, you need to measure what works and what doesn’t.
I use tools like Google Analytics to track which blogs or videos are driving the most traffic and conversions. If something isn’t performing well, I tweak it—maybe the headline isn’t catchy enough, or the CTA needs to be stronger.
Data isn’t just numbers; it’s your roadmap to improvement.
My Final Advice: Be Consistent, but Flexible
One thing I’ve learned after years of content creation is that consistency is key. Your audience needs to see you regularly to remember you. But don’t be afraid to pivot if something isn’t working.
Content creation isn’t a one-size-fits-all process. Whether you’re diving into blog creation, experimenting with video content creation, or mastering SEO content, the key is to stay authentic and focused on your audience.
Now, go create something amazing! And if you need expert help with your content strategy, feel free to reach out—we’ve got you covered.