Content marketing strategies continue to change, especially with advancements in mobile technologies, and access to high bandwidth is becoming commonplace. Marketers need to be more resourceful in their approach to generating content.
One thing we do is often work back in complexity… we design an animation and use the content for a webinar, we use that content for a presentation shared on Slideshare, we use that content to develop an infographic, and perhaps some sales sheets, whitepapers or case studies… and then we use the content in blog posts and sometimes press releases.
PRWeb has created this matrix to show how different types of content can appeal to different consumers and offers facts or suggestions about each. The top shows the the different types of content, while the bottom explains how those pieces of content can be used.
In the ever-evolving world of digital marketing, small businesses must harness the power of content marketing to reach their target audience effectively. Content comes in various forms, and choosing the right type for your business can significantly impact your outreach efforts. To help you navigate this dynamic landscape, we’ve created the Content Marketing Matrix, a quick guide to selecting the most suitable content for your small business.
Understanding the Content Matrix
The Content Marketing Matrix is a visual representation of different content types and their ease of implementation. It consists of various content categories listed at the top, and beneath each category are explanations of how it can be effectively utilized for marketing purposes.
- Social Media: Social media platforms have become a cornerstone of modern marketing. They offer a quick and straightforward way to engage with your audience. According to the 2012 Social Media Marketing Industry Report, businesses using social media marketing have seen impressive results, including over 56% acquiring new business partnerships, nearly 60% witnessing improved search rankings, and about 69% gathering marketplace insights.
- Blog: Blogs are text-based publications that are regularly updated. They cater to consumers who prefer in-depth information. According to the B2B Content Marketing report, the use of blogs as marketing tools has increased to 65% from 51% in 2010.
- Images: Visual content is highly engaging. Viewers who appreciate photographs and graphics often spend time examining your imagery. Instagram, for instance, has seen tremendous growth, with one new user joining every second and over a billion photos uploaded.
- Slide Show: Slide shows offer a leisurely way for viewers to progress through a series of images. Effective slide shows tend to have many slides but few words per slide, creating an engaging visual experience.
- Press Release: Press releases are text-based articles that make announcements. Distributing press releases through platforms like PRWeb can put your brand in front of consumers and journalists. Adding multimedia elements to your press release can improve engagement.
- Article or White Paper: Articles provide informative content and are often submitted to publications or distributed as premium content. They are widely popular, with 79% of marketers regularly publishing articles, according to Content Marketing Institute.
- Infographic: Infographics combine information and imagery to convey complex ideas effectively. They have become a staple in visual content marketing, and platforms like Visual.ly and Pinterest are excellent resources for finding them.
- Video: Video content appeals to visually-oriented viewers who prefer to see products in action. YouTube statistics demonstrate its vast reach, with over 800 million unique users visiting monthly and 72 hours of video uploaded every minute.
- Audio or Podcast: Audio recordings and podcasts cater to multitaskers who can listen while doing other things. They are memorable and can effectively engage listeners. Platforms like BlogTalkRadio host a significant number of original episodes.
- Music: Audio branding through music can be a unique content strategy. Memorable jingles and musical elements can enhance your brand’s identity and appeal. Think of iconic examples like the Expedia.com jingle.
- Webinars: Webinars combine audio with presentation slides, Q&A sessions, and chat features. They offer an immersive content experience and are rated as one of the most effective content marketing tactics.
- Applications: The world of applications for computers and mobile devices is vast and growing rapidly. With millions of apps available, businesses can tap into this market for creative content marketing opportunities.
- Podcast Feed: Podcast feeds, akin to blogs, deliver a series of audio updates. They cater to busy individuals who prefer staying informed while on the go. Podcasting has seen substantial growth in recent years, with nearly 90,000 podcasts available.
- Animation: Animations combine images and audio to convey complex information effectively. They have the potential to go viral and enhance presentations and pitches by demonstrating products and services.
- Teleclass or Telecast: Live presentations given to multiple participants can result in valuable content opportunities like recordings, transcripts, and liveblogging. They cater to informational group calls and webinars.
- Interactive Game: Gamification and social gaming offer unique content experiences, often rewarding participants with trophies for unlocking achievements. The gamification market is expected to grow significantly in the coming years.
The Content Marketing Matrix can be your guiding light in small business marketing. It helps you identify the most suitable content types based on your goals, audience, and resources. Remember that the ease of implementation can vary, so choose content types that align with your capabilities and objectives. By leveraging the right content, your small business can reach more people more effectively in today’s digital landscape.
Do you have strategies for all of these content marketing formats? Do you have a publishing process to drive your content to the platforms reaching the audiences you’re looking to attract? Do you have a promotion plan to capitalize the attention your content will receive when it’s published?
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