Content marketing is the name of the game when it comes to creating a successful digital marketing strategy.
This is because businesses of all shapes and sizes can accomplish incredible things through effective content.
But if you think that mastering content marketing is a quick and straightforward process, then you might need to think again.
Let’s try and break down some of the biggest myths around content marketing expectations and reveal the (harsh? Sometimes) reality.
Expectation #1: I can probably bang out a few super-cool blog posts in just half an hour every week.
Reality: Creating blog content that converts requires a much bigger time investment.
Why?
Blog writing is much more complex than it may appear – great blog writing, that is.
It’s not just about sitting down and coming up with something that YOU find interesting and fun and then writing about that.
Effective blogs are created following extensive research, and they need to target original, informative, and brand-relevant topics.
This, alas, takes its fair share of time.
So, don’t be tempted to fit in a few, rushed blog posts into your lunch breaks or weekends, because that won’t work.
Your best bet is to hire a professional content writer or work with an agency and let them handle the whole process for you.
Expectation #2: Social media is a cinch, I just need to be fun and engaging and everyone will share my content.
Reality: There is a lot more to social media content than pure entertainment.
Why?
There is a lot more to successful social media content than a funny meme or video.
If this was all it took to go viral, then there will be millions, if not more, of super-popular social media accounts.
In reality, social media content that converts requires meticulous planning and scheduling, as well as the ability to engage with your followers in the right way.
It might take you months to see some good results, but if you don’t rush the process and follow the latest best practices, you’ll get there in the end.
Expectation #3: More content always means better content!
Reality: Just like in many other areas of business, in content marketing sometimes less can be more. What matters, at the end of the day, is great quality.
Why?
You might think that the more stuff you write/film/design, the better it is for your brand.
That’s just not always the case, unfortunately.
First of all, you’ll need to focus on great quality content. Whether you choose to create a blog, focus on social media, or shoot a video, it doesn’t matter: if the quality of your content is high, then you won’t necessarily need to jump into doing A LOT of it right away.
Once you have become more familiar – and confident – with the creative process, then you might want to start expanding your content pool and adding more deliverables.
Remember: if you have to pick between quality or quantity, always choose the former.
Expectation #4: If I produce great content, I can expect leads to flock in almost overnight.
Reality: Both leads and conversions require much longer wait, which can often make you feel impatient and frustrated.
Why?
The main reason why you want to create content is to attract potential new customers. So, it’s only fair that you expect that great content will achieve this in the blink of an eye.
Again, we are sorry to break it to you, but leads and conversions do take time, regardless of how amazing your content is.
Be patient and try not to get too enthusiastic about your first few pieces of content, even if you genuinely think that they are pretty much perfect.
Start building your online presence, create a network of trusted connections, and keep engaging with your audience to show how great your brand is.
Don’t Fall for these Content Marketing Expectations!
If your content marketing expectations included that it would be a cinch to nail, then hopefully our quick guide has shed some light on why this is not always the case.
The main takeaways here are:
- It takes time, effort, and resources to put together a successful content marketing strategy
- It takes even more time to see results
- Social media content is NOT just about being witty and posting funny videos
- Quality is always better than quantity
Fancy knowing more about content marketing? Let’s chat! Contact our team today.
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