How many times have you looked at an ad on Instagram and bought the product right away, or read a blog on an industry, written by a company and registered on their website for updates? Coming across compelling content that is not only impressive but also prompts us to perform an action such as reading more on the topic, buying a product, etcetera, is all a part of content marketing.
With the advent of technology, the rise of online businesses and social platforms, content marketing has emerged as the 'must-have' in each company’s marketing strategy. Wondering how you can become a content marketer but worried about where to start? Let’s begin by looking at some of the skills you need to have to be a successful content marketer.
Good research skills Creating good content requires not just passion but also knowledge. And, while the former is inherent, the latter can be acquired through research. Acquiring knowledge, though, is not a one-time activity but an ongoing process. You can keep yourself updated by following content from other creators, reading reviews from the readers, as well as identifying key points.
Practise makes perfect Practise helps you perfect any task and that goes for content creation as well. The more you write, the better you become at conveying your intent. Practise also helps you enhance your vocabulary and improve your grammar. Finally, with practice, you can understand your target audience and their needs better. Thus, you can write in the tone and context of their preference.
Know the tools of the trade Another aspect of content marketing, which is as important as creating good content, is optimising the content. SEO or Search Engine Optimisation know-how proves to be indispensable while creating content for the web. Other technical tools, such as HTML, CSS, and content analytics should also be in your ‘must-know’ list to ensure that you increase the reach of your content.
Creativity In addition to the proficiency in writing as well as in the know-how of technical tools, a content marketer should be creative. While creativity is subjective, the use of simple illustrations, images, and visual content goes a long way in making the content more appealing. Such a skill will help you stand out from the crowd and will ensure user traction as well.
Social media Content marketer’s role does not end once engaging and informative content is created. He/she is responsible for marketing that content as well. Social media is one such cost-effective way of marketing your content. With increasing digitisation, how to effectively use social media platforms has become crucial for content marketers.
Content management A content marketer uses several techniques to not only share but also manage the content better. Content management involves maintaining editorial calendar, regular posts on social media, management of blog, and tracking the metrics, among others. For any content marketer, effectively managing the content is as important as deciding what content should be created.
While content marketing may seem a whole lot of everything, at the core, it is about engaging readers through content that they care about. Follow the rules above and your life as a content marketer will become a lot easier.
Ready to begin your career as a content marketer? Find Content Marketing jobs here.
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