Because content strategists are growing in popularity, more and more people are asking me to define what my job actually entails. As you might imagine, this question comes from anyone – clients and even friends of friends who have heard about what I do but don’t really know how to explain it to someone else or how it fits into their business model. If you’re one of those people, read on to find out exactly what I’m asked about my work – and why these questions are so important to the success of any content-driven project!
1) What’s a Content Strategist?
A content strategist is someone who helps companies figure out what kind of content they need to produce and how to produce it to achieve their business goals. In other words, I help businesses figure out what story they need to tell and then make sure that story is told in the most effective way possible. It can be anything from creating new webpages to email or social media campaigns and also figuring out which assets are going to be most valuable for them (videos, photos, blog posts, etc.).
2) Does Content Marketing Actually Work?
Yes, content marketing does work! But it’s not a magic bullet that will instantly cure all of your marketing woes. A well-executed content marketing strategy can help you attract and engage your target audience, build trust and credibility, and boost your bottom line. But it takes time, effort, and consistency to see results.
3) Where Do You Find Your Ideas?
This is a question I get asked a lot, and there is no one answer to it. Ideas can come from anywhere – books, articles, conversations, experiences, and more. The best way to find ideas is to be open to them and to have a system for capturing them when they come. When we notice an interesting trend or something inspiring in the news, we keep track of it so we don’t forget about it.
Our search engine optimization (SEO) department also plays a significant role in providing blog topics that are search heavy and keyword-rich. We have developed an editorial calendar tailored for each of our clients so that we know what topics to write about each month – this helps keep things consistent for readers and search engines.
4) Why Do We Need Different Content Types?
Different content types serve different purposes and can help you achieve different business goals. For example, blog posts can be used to generate leads, while emails or social media posts can help to nurture those leads and turn them into customers.
There are a few main pillars that are central to every content strategy project – defining your brand voice and positioning, determining your audience(s) and what they want, and deciding where you’ll distribute your content.
5) Why Should We Use an Agency for Content?
There are several reasons to consider using an agency for content. Agencies have the resources and manpower to handle large projects efficiently. They can provide an outside perspective to help you see your business goals more clearly and have the expertise to develop a strategic content plan that will achieve your desired results.
An agency can help you save time by taking care of the research, writing, editing, and publishing process. They can also help you measure and analyze your results so that you can continually improve your content strategy. Not only can they provide support and guidance as you implement your content strategy, but working with an agency can give you peace of mind knowing that your content is in good hands.
6) Do You Write the Content Yourself?
For our clients in niche industries, we often use expert writers who are more familiar with the topic at hand. We want to ensure that all our clients receive the same high level of service, regardless of their industry or size. That’s why we work closely with our clients to identify and hire an expert writer to provide original, quality content.
7) What Types of Companies Do You Work With?
We work with companies in many different industries, including healthcare, education, technology, and more. We help them create content that engages and informs their audience. Some of the clients we’ve worked with include Advanced Heating Oil, Thayers, Selective Insurance, Leukemia And Lymphoma Society, Nardelli’s, Tufts University, and more!
8) How Much Content Do We Need?
The answer, unfortunately, is that it depends. It depends on your business goals, your target audience, your budget, and several other factors. But there are some general guidelines you can follow. First, the more (quality) content you have, the better. More pages with original content will rank higher in search engines than fewer pages with duplicate content. Second, most companies should aim for about one post per week (unless they’re running an event or campaign). And third, the key to creating good content is consistency – not just regularity but also variety. If people know what to expect from your company’s blog they’ll be much more likely to stick around and check out what’s new every time they visit.
9) How Will the Content Be Measured?
There’s no one answer to this question since success looks different for every organization. However, some common metrics used to measure the success of content include website traffic, leads generated, time spent on site, and social media engagement. All content will have some measurable goal at its core. What matters is that you define that goal before beginning so you can track your progress over time. If you’re trying to increase brand awareness, you might look at things like web traffic or social media engagement. But, if you’re trying to generate leads, you might focus on conversion rates.
10) How Long Before We See Results?
This is probably the most common question I get asked, and sadly, there is no easy answer. It depends on a lot of factors, including the amount of content you’re producing, and how well that content is targeted to your audience. In general, though, you should start seeing results within a few months. Some things we do to maximize results include strategic keywords in your titles, headlines, and throughout the content. We also like to add links from related websites, statistics, and other valuable content in your posts that provide legitimate evidence on the topic at hand – this will help with SEO.
If you’re ready to get started on your content strategy and looking for an agency to partner with, reach out to Zero Gravity Marketing today!
