It is one of the best Internet marketing since the invention of search engines. very widely used by companies and individuals in Uganda, but mostly un-knowingly.

This style has been used and benefited from mostly, by news companies like New vision, Daily Monitor and other online blogging platforms in Kampala and a few other districts in Uganda. I can’t say they’re all aware, of the marketing they are doing, than the news they are writing for people to read.

What is Content Marketing?

Simply put— An internet marketing approach that revolves around creation and distribution of valuable content to cause indirect sales for your business.

Content marketing is not straight out making direct sales adverts. It’s not like a text or product image that asks the person to buy, but rather a piece of content in form of text, image, video or voice that actually helps the person before you ask for a sale, better yet, they ask to buy.

Think of it as a give-give and give before you’re given transaction. You give value to the customer, until that point they like and trust your content, that you can now ask for a sale, with greater authority, sometimes you don’t even have to ask, because as they consume your content, you are earning their trust in the process.

At some point, you become like an influencer to them, in that specific’ industry/field. They rely on your content so much, that they think of you more often when they need a service or product you’re also selling.

Why content marketing?

It provides additional content for social media marketing, and can greatly contribute to your SEO, by generating natural inbound links, and building up content that search engines find important to rank high.

Here is a process through which content marketing can help your business sell.

• Stage 1— Awareness – This is where the person comes to learn they need a product, and where you should engage them with educational content.
• Stage 2—Consideration – Now they know they need that product, but still hesitant, This is where you should engage them more with advice on the best possible decision they can make.
• Stage 3—The Decision – They are made up to buy, and it’s time to decide on how, when and from which provider. This is the best time to position yourself in a strategic position, that they can’t miss your presence.

Positioning yourself in the 3rd stage doesn’t mean you start making a hard sales pitch. People now know when you are advertising to them. They detect it sometimes even before you start, because they know a salesman when they see one. And that’s why your content should be somewhat neutral, and with that, you have an audience that does not think you just want to sell to them, but also care and want them to make the best decision.

“Content is king…

—Very popular quote in the internet marketing space

It is true, When done right, it will go a long way to grow your business in profits and influence in your own area of expertise. Content marketing also compliments your social media marketing, and contributes greatly to your SEO strategy.

One last thing to note, about content marketing;

Just because you created it and it’s of great value, doesn’t necessarily mean it will instantly reach your target audience. This is why you should invest some more time and/or money, in propagation of that content. This process is often called content amplification.

 

This Article was re-modeled from a book by Peter E. Bampaire, Called “Internet Marketing In Under 1 Hour“

Questions and inquiries? drop your comment’s below, i’ll answer them soon as i can. thanks.