Top 7 Ways to Convert Prospects to Clients With Great Content

Content marketing has been the industry's hottest buzz phrase for the past several years, but what does "content marketing" really mean?

In short, it refers to the creation and distribution of great content that is either written, visual, or audio. Sharing your brand's message via content marketing could mean:

-Articles
-Whitepapers
-eBooks
-Blogging
-Video creation
-Podcasting
-Repurposing blogs into eBooks
-So much more!

Here are 7 best practices to keep in mind when focusing on content marketing.

1. Don't forget about quality control

Content marketing is all about the quality of your content. Instead of chu
ing out 7 so-so blog posts per week, it's better to write 1 or 2 really stellar articles that offer value to the reader.

When you only publish top-notch content, it reinforces your stature and expertise in the reader's mind, and makes them trust you enough to purchase your product or service.

2. Write for a specific person or target market

Once you understand the importance of quality in content marketing, you then must decide who you're writing for.

Each blog post, video, or podcast you create should be targeting a specific member or members of your target market.

Remember, when you try to appeal to everyone, you end up appealing to no one!

3. Make your content matter

At this point, you have high-quality content that's geared toward a specific group you're targeting. So how can you further connect with your reader (or viewer) and keep them coming back for more?

Make sure the content matters to them. In other words, your content should solve a specific problem or address a particular pain point your target market is struggling with right now.

4. Stay up-to-date on industry trends

When you do a Google search, are you more likely to click on a result dated 2012 or 2014?

Make sure your content is not only recently published, but up-to-date on the latest trends and news in your industry. Fresh news and cutting-edge insights will make your website the go-to place for what matters most in your niche.

5. Get social

Make your content easy to share by adding calls to action (CTA) and social sharing icons on your blog posts, podcasts, and videos. In addition to built-in social buttons on your website, feel free to ask for social shares right within the content itself.

6. Make it easy to read

Think about the reader's experience of consuming your content. What does the reader see, hear and feel when they come to your website? What do you want them to remember most about the time they spend with your brand?

Blogs that are easy to read and videos that render quickly and beautifully are far more likely to get shared and earn more followers.

7. Track your results

Following all of the above will mean nothing if you don't track your results. Be sure to check your Google Analytics and see how each particular piece of content ranks.

If an article or topic drives more traffic and conversions than anything else, you may want to begin creating more and more of that type of content. After all, every click is your reader telling you exactly what they'd like to see more of on your site!

Will your next conversion masterpiece be in written, visual or audio format? You choose what is best for your audience. By doing more of what your audience loves, you will position your business as THE solution your audience needs. Implement the tips above and you will be well on your way to leveraging content marketing to create more revenue for your company.