3 Content Marketing Mistakes You Can Fix NOW!

You finally wrapped your head around the fact that you NEED content marketing in order to build your brand and propel it in 2015. Great! Maybe you have even started writing a few blogs and thinking about creating some Calls-To-Action. Even better! BUT, there are 3 mistakes that I see companies making daily that you can fix IMMEDIATELY. You owe it to yourself and all those pretty words you write to not make these mistakes:

1.Working without a content creation plan

When you wake up in the morning and get to the office, I bet one of the first things you do is check your calendar for the day. What do you need to accomplish and how are you going to do it? Your content strategy deserves the same respect! Utilizing a content creation calendar helps you PLAN a strategy and then EXECUTE it in an organized manner.

What is the best way to do it?

That depends on you ultimately but I utilize Google Calendar with many of my clients. Set a color code for each category and then develop specific messaging at least two weeks in advance. As you develop this messaging, think about the best way to present it to you customers - is it through text, video, pictures, or a combination?

Here is a simple example:

2.Constantly thinking me, me, me, me, me!

Your content in and of itself shows your expertise on the subject matter. Stop there! You don’t need to constantly sell your brand and all its successes. Let your content speak for itself. Oftentimes, content is a constant stream of, “I did... , I can… , I will…” This is not what people want to read about, trust me.

Instead, think about creating value by answering questions for your potential customers. SOLVE PROBLEMS. This is the name of the game for content and gets the best response. Think about a lot of the times you turn to google - when you have a problem. When you are developing content, think about questions you have been asked by your actual customers and ANSWER THEM. These are some of the easiest blog entries to write and will get the best readership.

3. Not having at least one CTA

You wrote some great content that people love to read. Now CAPITALIZE on it! Get those Calls-to-action in there to drive customers back to your site and convert into leads for you. This is a vital piece of content marketing that I shockingly see missing every day.

Provide additional value with your CTA and test out designs that work for your brand. Be visual and offer a clear action in the “Button” so that people know exactly what they should expect. Are they downloading or viewing? Say it. Mix up your CTA and keep it as targeted to your article as possible - people will be most driven if it is an extension to what they have been reading about.

Ready for it? :)