Content ideas – 6 tips to keep your content engaging
Content ideas to help your marketing
Do you often wonder what content to create for your marketing? Don’t worry, you’re not alone!
If you’re scratching your head because you’re not sure what to write about in your blogs, newsletters, social media posts or videos, read on for my six essential content ideas to help you come up with topics to write about.
Firstly, why do you need regular content?
To put it simply, without content, your ideal customers will not know about you and therefore your business will plateau. You need to create content regularly for continuous engagement and growth.
But regular content does not mean posting every random thought that comes to mind! It’s far better and easier to have a plan and to create content consistently.
To start off, you need to:
Know your target demographic – who are your ideal customers?
Keep a consistent theme regardless of the different topics you might write about.
Know what you have and haven’t explored.
So, let’s take a look at some content ideas you could include.
Tip 1 – Share news on your sector or industry
Sharing industry news can be great content; it allows your readers to gain a sense of community with you and get to “know” you on a more personal level. But, you still have to make it relevant to your readers.
Types of industry news you may wish to share:
New legislation or regulations that may affect your audience
Results of industry research or report findings
New products or services being developed
Emerging technologies that could benefit your audience
Industry events
Movers and shakers of note to your readers
Tip 2 – Problem solving
Sharing tips to show how you solve people’s problems helps your audience and builds trust between you and them. It demonstrates that you understand their needs. This could become a regular series for you.
Here’s how to create yours:
Think about a problem you help your clients solve
Break the solution down into manageable, bite-sized chunks
Each ‘chunk’ becomes a different tip in your series
Consider how you will publish your tips on social media. E.g. blog, video, newsletter
Think about how you can repurpose your tips. E.g. an Instagram post can become a blog and a blog can become a video.
Remember, you don’t have to give away your trade secrets! You’re simply pointing your clients in the right direction for an easier life.
Tip 3 – Find useful data and trends
Is there any data that your audience would find useful?
Sharing data or trends with your audience is an easy way to demonstrate your expertise.This in turn will deepen the trust between you and your audience. It shows that you are switched on and can advise your clients on things that might affect them.
Things you can share:
Up and coming trends – how things are changing in your industry, helping your audience to stay competitive
Stats about people’s behaviour – show how things are changing or what people are reacting to
Infographics – an eye-catching way to make complicated ideas easier to understand
Trivia and ‘did you know’ posts – sharing a simple fact helps to grab attention.
Remember to keep it simple, educational and fact-based.
Tip 4 – Go behind the scenes
Have you ever shared behind the scenes content with your audience?
This is particularly useful for social media. In fact, you’ve probably seen lots of accounts you follow doing it. Things you could share:
What a typical day looks like
About you – bring out your personality. You could do a ‘Get Ready With Me’ (GRWM) post or video
Introduce your team members
Projects you’re working on (GRWM and tease them)
Some ‘in action’ images or videos, showing what you do
Fun facts about you and your team.
It’s a great way for people to see what you do and get to know, like and trust you.
Tip 5 – Client testimonials
How many client testimonials or reviews do you have?
Client testimonials are honest endorsements of your product or service. They should come directly from your customers who have benefited from or experienced success as a result of your product or services.
Testimonials are highly beneficial because they allow the trust you have built with your clients to expand to potential new audience members. Reassurance from your current clients that you are trustworthy and great at what you do is crucial to helping you succeed and grow.
How can you ask for a testimonial?
Be personal – ask them nicely!
Make it easy – give them a link to take them straight to your review site
Use a review system such as your Google Business Profile, LinkedIn, Facebook page, or a review site for local businesses in your area (e.g. Bromley Business Hub). Some industries have specific review sites, such as Checkatrade or Tripadvisor You can also ask them via a customer satisfaction survey or feedback form.
If they are struggling to know what to write, ask them to answer a question, such as ‘How did I help you?’ or ‘What did you like about my products / services’?
NOTE: Be sure to ASK their permission before you share their review!
Encourage them to share their review on their socials – people love to see user-generated social content.
Tip 6 – Business milestones
Sharing your business milestones can create a deeper sense of community with your clients. It can make long standing customers feel special and those who’ve just come across you will see you are trusted and that you’ve been around a while.
Milestones you could share:
Followers increase. E.g. 200, 500, 1000, 5000 etc.
Video views. E.g. 100 views, 200 views, 5000 views, 1000 views etc.
Team expansion. E.g. starting off as a one-man-band to having a team of employees
Business birthdays. How long the business has been alive and thriving
What milestones have you accomplished that you would like to share with your audience?
And finally, a bonus tip: be flexible and adaptable!
These are just six ways you can come up with content ideas. There are plenty more! What other ideas do you have?
If you’d like more suggestions, why not buy my content planner and start adding your own ideas and research straight away! If you’d like help with planning your content, you can also book a content planning session with me.
