If you’re looking for an online marketing tool that costs less than traditional methods and actually generates a bigger response, Search Engine Optimization (SEO) is the way to go.
But if you plan on making any kind of dent on the search engines, you can’t afford to ignore content marketing.
Why Content Marketing?
Google has put more emphasis on relevant links and social media influences. Unless you’ve got great content, don’t count on people re-Tweeting, “liking”, “+1-ing”, or linking to it! With Panda, Penguin, and other algorithm changes, Google has sent strong message — if you want to succeed in today’s SEO world, you’ve got to have high-quality content.
…And your competitors are listening!
According to a study done by Brandpoint, 99% of marketers use at least one form of content marketing — like blogging, writing press releases, producing videos, or sending out e-newsletters. So, if you plan on beating your competitors, you’ve got to make content a big part of your internet marketing arsenal.
What if you’re a smaller local business looking to dominate the competition?
Content marketing is just as important — if not more so — to local SEO!
That’s because people are heading to the web in droves to find good local businesses. In fact, 20% of Google’s desktop searches and 40% of their mobile searches are locally-based. Just think of all the business you’ll miss out on if you don’t rank at the top!
In fact, it’s estimated that 50% of all searchers click on the first Google result. Close to 80% never make it past the third listing the in search results! So, unless you can convince the search engines that you’re an authority in your field, you’ll be fighting for teeny-tiny scraps of traffic . The only way to prove that you’re an expert is through solid content writing — both on your site and off.
Bottom line — if you don’t have a solid content marketing strategy, don’t count on seeing much SEO success!
