Four key content marketing principles

What makes successful content marketing? This could be by using new platforms and channels to distribute content and reach customers in a different way, or it could be by taking novel approaches to content creation, or highlighting previously unrevealed aspects of the brand. Four key content marketing principles We’ll now take a look at four hallmarks of successful content marketing activity, with real life examples to illustrate how these principles have been put into action to deliver content marketing success. Different departments, from market research (informing concept) to advertising (creative) to social media (distribution) will all play a part in the development and propagation of great content marketing. High-specification playing fields were provided for the communities, and recordings of the children in action were captured and used by the advertising department to generate content which was then distributed by social media and PR teams. Winning content campaigns should encourage action, be that sharing, conversation or enquiries. IKEA also tracked enquiries generated, and recorded 250,000 requests for product information off the back of the campaign. With customers demanding ever more intelligent, tailored and useful interactions, brands are being forced to develop content marketing strategies in order to keep their attention. It must be multichannel and multidiscipline - able to work across many platforms, and with contributions from multiple departments. It must also be intelligent, data-driven, and authentic in attempts to reach customer communities.

Author: Chloe Young / Source: Econsultancy

What is the secret to successful content marketing?

Much has been written about the rise and rise of content marketing. Brands across both B2C and B2B sectors have realised that content is both an effective and essential route to reaching and engaging customers.

In 2016, 77% of companies planned to increase their content marketing budgets, as revealed by the Econsultancy-Oracle Marketing Cloud Marketing Budgets report.

Job roles in marketing, be they individual, agency or departmental, are increasingly referencing ‘content’ as part of their titles, reflecting the growing importance of the concept at all levels.

As the availability of data and customer insights grows, along with the channels and tools to allow more targeted and intelligent delivery, content marketing is becoming more sophisticated and impactful.

As an industry we still have a way to go before fully reaching content marketing greatness, but we can already pick out some of the hallmarks of great content marketing.

What makes successful content marketing?

High-quality execution is an imperative – amid the ever-proliferating mass of content being churned out by brands and media platforms, only the best stuff can hope to make a lasting impression with audiences.

It’s also important to find new ways of grabbing customer attention and keeping it.

This could be by using new platforms and channels to distribute content and reach customers in a different way, or it could be by taking novel approaches to content creation, or highlighting previously unrevealed aspects of the brand.

We’ll now take a look at four hallmarks of successful content marketing activity, with real life examples to illustrate how these principles have been put into action to deliver content marketing success.

1. Multichannel

In theory

It is a truth universally acknowledged that silos are bad practice. This applies equally in content marketing.

Instead of existing in a single channel or single campaign, great content should transcend divides, and reach audiences on different channels and platforms.

This encourages dialogue and shareability, extending the ‘shelf life’ of activity.

In action

In December 2015, Barclays Bank was awarded by the Content Marketing Association (CMA) for its multichannel approach to content marketing.

The bank teamed up with a publishing agency, Redwood, and came up with a long-term strategy for creating and distributing useful content across all its channels.

These include not only web and social media, but also mobile and even ATMs. Content ranges from useful tips on digital skills (Digital Eagles) to helpful banking advice.