Content has always been an important way to reach and engage customers, enhance brand awareness and drive sales. Not that long ago, it would have been in the form of retail catalogues in department stores and ads in newspapers and magazines. But times have changed, with blogs, vlogs, video, social media posts and infographics replacing the more traditional platforms.
Content marketing is a much more efficient way of targeting shoppers. Instead of wasting time searching for people who may or may not have an interest in your brand and products, it pinpoints those who are actively searching for businesses like yours. And because it’s targeted, it feels less ‘hard sell.’
So, what exactly does a content marketing agency do?
Content marketing agencies give you access to a team of experts trained in several key disciplines including content writing, strategy, project management, graphic design, illustration, sales and more. They’ll work closely with you to deliver a plan that will ensure your content marketing is a success. Here are just some of the ways they can help:
Creating strategies
Devising a content marketing strategy in-house can be difficult. It takes time, expertise and resources which brands often don’t have. Go it alone, and if you get it wrong it will limit the success of your campaign. Outsourcing your content marketing to an agency gives you access to the experience, expertise and technical know-how needed to meet your business goals.
Generating leads
For most brands, lead generation is the most important business goal. An experienced content marketing agency will put a team of salespeople and designers at your disposal to help craft the perfect content to engage your audience and drive sales and enquiries.
Enhancing brand awareness
Whether you’re the new kid on the block or an established brand with years of experience under your belt, maintaining brand awareness and building a solid reputation is crucial for keeping customers engaged and business flowing. A content marketing agency will understand how to bring your brand to life for shoppers and create content that engages your audience while being sympathetic to your brand’s identity, mission, and company ethos.
Navigating Digital
Understanding the digital landscape can make or break your performance online. If digital isn’t really your thing, your gap in knowledge can seriously impact the success of your campaigns. Digital is ingrained in every corner of content marketing, so a lack of expertise in SEO and social media for example will hold your campaigns back. Which is why many brands choose to outsource everything to an expert.
Measuring Performance
A content marketing agency will have the analytical tools to measure the impact of your content through palpable metrics such as conversion rate, page views, time on page and even where your readers navigate to after reading. Agencies will have teams trained in Google Analytics and other analytical tools to help you get the most out of your strategy.
For more information on how content marketing can benefit your brand, contact the SMP team now.