CTA  :  ISP – We can help announce your community, build trust, credibility and authority 

In today’s ever-changing world if you are serious about growing your business, it is critical to have a clear understanding of the different types of content that make up your content strategy. Not all content is equal, for example, social media content usually caters to a more general audience, while content on a blog or videos tend to be more specialized to a central topic. Finding your audience where they already are, and then providing valuable content in different formats will help you attract your ideal target market.

Not all content is equal, for example, social media content usually caters to a more general audience, while content on a blog or videos tend to be more specialized to a central topic. Click To Tweet

4 Types of Content To Build Your Brand & Attract Your Tribe 

1.) Social Media Content Creates Awareness 

Once someone hears about your business  from a friend, and they find value in your content, they will seek to view more of your content through your social channels. This is why it is imperative that you actively participate and engage in various social media  channels.

Again, the goal is to start conversations, build awareness around what your business is about, and then invite your followers to your site.  Social media creates awareness through social proof and tells people “these people believe me and like me.” – Maybe you will too! Sharing links to your high quality and informative content on social channels “invites” people to look closer into topics they are already interested in.

Sharing links to your high quality and informative content on social channels “invites” people to look closer into topics they are already interested in. Click To Tweet

While social media is important in assisting you in your efforts to build your brand and community, keep in mind that it is not a good idea to solely build your community on a social media platform. Starting a Facebook group or LinkedIn group community is a great strategy, but your purpose should always be to guide group members to your blog or site.

Social media networks often change the rules, update privacy policies, and the changes could threaten the existence of your community. Also, as reliable and dominant as some may seem today, who knows what the most popular network will be 5 years from now? Therefore, it’s important to start in social, but not stay there.

2.) Blog Content Creates Trust 

You need to consistently create and publish value-driven content that gives your tribe a compelling reason to visit your website and stay on it long enough to create an impact, and convince them to come back later to check out what is new. This is the most important part of your content strategy for your blog that you need to focus on, to create content consistently, and build trust.

This is the most important part of your content strategy for your blog that you need to focus on, to create content consistently, and build trust. Click To Tweet

The design, content, and interaction on your website will either say ” I am an expert, and I know exactly what I am talking about,” or not.   Give people a reason to stop everything else they are doing online and listen to what you have to share with them.

This is a low commitment step that you are asking them to take, once they read your content, they make they will either decide to read more, and subscribe, or go somewhere else. Be aware that once someone leaves your blog or website without subscribing to ongoing content, the chances that they will return later on their own, are close to none.

It’s a great practice to have various types of content on your blog, like evergreen content that is always relevant, personal stories, new trends, industry news, and how-to guides. This will keep users engaged, and seeing a variety of content may spike their curiosity and keep them on your blog for longer periods of time.

This will keep users engaged, and seeing a variety of content may spike their curiosity and keep them on your blog for longer periods of time. Click To Tweet

Pay attention to topics that people engage with a lot, and tend to share more, and write more content like it. Listen to what your readers are asking and saying, and give them the information that they are already interested in, no need to reinvent the wheel.

This is also where SEO comes into play and allows you to laser target your audience by choosing the right keywords, tags, phrases, and other related content that could spark more interest and conversations. No matter what your frequency is for blogging, daily, weekly, or monthly, over time, this content will help you build trust and enrich your relationship over time.

3.) Video & Audio Content Create Loyalty 

Video and audio are powerful channels to build a relationship with your community. Sharing valuable content through live video streams, podcasts, and YouTube, or other major video platform builds your brand and loyalty. People love video and audio because it is personal, and more personal and engaging than other types of media. Audio and video are surefire ways to grow your followership at lightning speeds, since nobody else has your personality and voice, you stand out from the crowd.

People love video and audio because it is personal, and more personal and engaging than other types of media. Click To Tweet

Video is the fastest growing medium of online content consumption. Over time it has become so much easier to create and share, and it will continue to be a dominant factor in the upcoming years. As more users have access to smart phones and access to tools that make creating and sharing videos fun and easy, it will continue to be a key player in online marketing. Having a strategy around video, and what content you will share through video, will help you find more ways to grow you brand and build your business.

Alternatively, if you completely dislike the idea of being on video, podcasts are great alternatives that provide many of the same benefits as video, with less technical knowledge required. Podcasts are increasingly becoming more popular, and producing a podcast is a great alternative for those who wish to share their expertise, but not necessarily interested in being on video. More and more people tune in to podcasts on a weekly basis, and studies show that people who tune in to podcasts are highly educated, have relatively high disposable incomes and tune in for one hour or more. Podcasts are often overlooked, and are a great medium to become a well known expert, without the need to get in front of the camera.

Podcasts are often overlooked, and are a great medium to become a well known expert, without the need to get in front of the camera. Click To Tweet

4.) Email Content Nurtures & Strengthens Relationships

After reading the content on your blog, and seeing that you are active on social networks, the next level of commitment would be to ask your visitors to sign up for your newsletter / updates. They are already aware of your business, they already like and trust you, now they are ready for a more one-on-one connection.

E-mail marketing is that one-on-one personal touch, that makes your readers feel like you are just talking to them directly.  Nurturing and strengthening your relationships for long-term business sustainability  is possible through e-mail.  That is why capturing names and emails, and building your email list is where the money is at. People are much more likely to buy something from you after 7 touch-points, and this is easy to achieve, through email marketing.

People are much more likely to buy something from you after 7 touch-points, and this is easy to achieve, through email marketing. Click To Tweet

The golden rule here is to always provide highly valuable content that is relevant and helpful to them in some way.  Over time, after they like you and trust you more, then you can recommend products or services that are meant to help them or guide them in their goals. It is always important to keep their best interest in mind, not just yours. As soon as people subscribe it is not a good idea to start sending them emails with sales and offers right away.

Just as easy as it was to subscribe to you, it takes visitors only one click for them to unsubscribe. Another thing to be cautious about is frequency, it’s usually not good practice to send an email every single day, people will easily get turned off and annoyed. Every industry is different but once a week or twice a week can be subtle, and efficient at the same time. Staying top of mind is easy and can be automated with email marketing. Make sure your email marketing content is clear, concise, and relevant to what you promised when they signed up for your list.

Make sure your email marketing content is clear, concise, and relevant to what you promised when they signed up for your list. Click To Tweet

Having people’s contact information is a privilege, and if you abuse it, it will take you much more time and effort to grow your community. Focus on delivering value, and contributing to their lives, always give before you ask for something in return.  Keeping in touch with your subscribers consistently, and answering their burning questions is a tried and true way to strengthen your bond and grow your business.