Why Your Business Needs a Content Marketer

I recently conducted a small survey among my clients and prospects concerning the state of their online marketing efforts, and I learned three things: 1. Most every business has a website; 2. People have little direction when it comes to using their websites and social media for their business marketing purposes; and 3. Most respondents felt like they could be doing much better in regards to their online presence than they’re doing currently. Just those three things tell me that each and every one of these businesses need a content marketer.

Don’t take this post the wrong way. I’m not trying to sell you on hiring me (although that wouldn’t be frowned upon). I’m simply pointing out that while most people feel the need to better market their businesses online, they don’t know where to start. So if you’re one of those people who is overwhelmed by the growing number of social media outlets, but you’re still feeling pressure to compete in these spaces, don’t worry, you’re not alone.

When I first meet with a client, I like to set one thing straight right out of the gate: you do not need to be everywhere to make an impact online. That usually makes them feel a bit better. Then I like to give clients my super simple explanation of how to use social media for their business: social media is the “how,” content is the “what.” What that means is that without content, you don’t have anything of value to talk about in social spaces. Conversely, without social spaces, your content has less of an impact on your prospects. So, the two are forever intertwined. Which brings me to my point of why your business needs a content marketer.

The Job of a Content Marketer

Content marketers are experts at extracting information from clients and turning it into problem-solving, relationship-building content to distribute throughout the Web. Content marketers start by doing research into where your prospects are online, what they’re already reading, what their informational needs are and the keywords that will help them find you. Then we take that information and decide which social media outlets will be most beneficial for you to participate in and create content for those outlets.

Here’s the reason I’m in business: without a content marketing and social media strategy, you could be wasting your time in spaces where your customers are not, talking about things that aren’t interesting (or helpful) to them. This usually hits my clients right between the eyes (not to mention the pocketbook). But with the right content marketer on your bench, you’ll have a clear online direction and you will start building relationships that will sustain your business for years to come.

It’s amazing what a little planning and direction will do when combined with the power of the social web!

Tags: content marketing, content marketing strategy, social media marketing, social media strategy