The Nobel Prize wasn't isn’t won with a single flash of insight. Those who have achieved it had to experiment with new ideas over time.
The same is true for content marketing. You can have a handful of really great ideas, but it takes experimentation to set you and your company over the top. Over time, I've experimented with these ideas and found them to work.
This guide will give you the tools you need to achieve your goals. These seven creative content marketing strategies are already crushing it in the digital world. All you have to do is implement them. Here's how to get started:
Strategy #1: Use humor (but only if you're actually funny)
What we know from content marketing research is that this industry is all about psychology. When you make your customers feel happy, they react in positive ways toward you. That's why entertaining your users is so important.
There are companies -- like Denny's, believe it or not -- that use humor really effectively. Their cartoon breakfast foods make me laugh every time I see the ad. As a result, I want to keep coming back to their site for more.
That same concept can work for you, too, but you have to use humor naturally. Don't force it. If you have a natural comedic personality, use it to your advantage in your content.
Strategy #2: Be responsive
Your customers want to hear from you, especially when they have questions. So give them as many opportunities to hear from you as possible. Set up an autoresponder for email questions so they know you've heard them and will be in touch.
Bulk up your customer service team responding to questions either by phone, email or chat. Another innovative and effective idea: Take your customer service to social media. Make it a goal to respond to every question within 24 hours. You'll keep build deeper connections and keep your customers happy.
Strategy #3: Re-invent the old
What if you're an old brand? What if you feel too traditional to really change? I’ll tell you this, you can! Old or traditional brands reinvent themselves all the time. How do they do it?
Often, they use modern photography to emphasize both the classic feel of an established company and the modern use of its products.
Beautiful, striking photography is so important to the success of your marketing, so don't be afraid to budget for it and reinvent your brand on photo-heavy social sites such as Instagram and Snapchat. The most traditional company can get a new chance at life just by expanding on social.
Strategy #4: Be an expert in your sphere
Customers can see right through phony people. They'll trust you less if they catch your dishonesty. Instead, be an innovator in your sphere. Talk about what you know.
Give them helpful advice that only you can give. Set apart your business by making it indispensable. That starts with being an expert in your field.
Strategy #5: Write a killer headline
There are a lot of content marketing strategies that fail -- but rarely so if there is a killer headline attached to the content. Get in the habit of writing headlines that are intriguing and lead the user to click through.
Remember that you'll need to follow through on your promise in the headline. Don't promise what you can't deliver, but give your user enough to be interested.
Strategy #6: Educate your customers
You are selling a lifestyle to your customers. What better way to communicate that than to educate them. Consider blog posts and social media content that acts as a classroom lesson.
This is great idea for health and food companies, especially, but the strategy extends to all businesses. Invite the user into your personal classroom to learn something about the life they want to lead -- all with your help.
Strategy #7: Social media takeover
One of my favorite innovations in content marketing is the trend of letting your customers take over your social media account for a day.
This works particularly well on a platform like Snapchat or Instagram. Customers can sign up to participate. You literally give them access to your account, and they begin posting from their vantage point.
This is a fun experiment with your most loyal customers or your brand ambassador team because they will be more likely to post about your products or services that they use daily.
What's also effective about this strategy is that it generates excitement and a concept known among Millennials as FOMO or "Fear of Missing Out." Everyone will want to participate in your social media takeover to have their photos and lives in the spotlight for day.
It takes some trust to pull this off, but it can be fun and successful.
Conclusion
In conclusion, it's always good to shake up your current content marketing strategies and try something new. When you go in a new -- even uncomfortable direction -- you'll find new energy and creativity in your efforts.
Not everything will work. In fact, you're likely to fail at some point in the process. But what is so rewarding about this process is that you'll learn critical insights about your target audiences that will motivate you in your communication with them.
If you're ready to watch your audiences grow and to hear how happy your new customers are, then try these seven creative marketing strategies today. Take some risks and reap those rewards!
What types of content marketing strategies will work best for your brand?
