Content marketing as a marketing strategy depends upon the creation of useful, engaging content. But, that content is useless if no one sees it. In order to be effective, your clients' content needs to be promoted through a variety of channels and methods. Widespread distribution of content has the power to supercharge their marketing efforts and spread their content like wildfire.
Here are 5 easy ways for your clients to get their content out there and get it seen:
1. Submit to content distributors.
This would include article directories and social bookmarking sites. StumbleUpon, Digg, Technorati and Reddit are examples of bookmarking sites that people subscribe to in order to receive the latest articles on topics of interest to them. Distributing marketing content to these sites will increase exposure for it dramatically.
2. Make it easy for readers to share.
“Share icons” located on your blog, social media account or article page allow readers to easily share your clients' content with others. Some popular ones are:
- “Like” button (FaceBook)
- TweetMeme (Twitter)
- LinkedIn share
- AddThis (social bookmarking sites)
3. Send email newsletters.
A monthly or weekly newsletter sends the latest content directly to your clients' target markets. These are people who have opted to give you their email addresses and are therefore most interested in what you have to say.
4. Cultivate relationships.
If your clients show interest in the content that others are creating in their niche, they will encourage them to become interested. These people will then spread your clients' content around for you. It's a good idea for your clients to reach out to thought leaders, fellow bloggers and others in their industries by commenting on their blogs, guest posting for them and sharing their content. Suggest that you clients link to other people's content in their articles.
5. Cross-promote.
Your clients can use one content vehicle to promote another. For example, they can add social media icons to an email signature and let people opt into an email subscription on their websites. Place a link to the company website in the blog or directory articles. Remember—all paths should lead back to them!
These ideas for promoting content are easy to do. They offer your clients a way to get their content seen by thousands of potential customers across the Web. And, they help build the relationships that get others to spread their content for them. Start with great content—the kind that engages people and builds credibility. Then, get the word out.
