Why do people spend so much time on the internet?
Why are people constantly scrolling through their phones on social media platforms? Why are memes considered to be so amusing? What is it that makes people stay glued to their phones for hours?
The answer is Content.
We are all content addicts. Our fingers have walked miles scrolling through our phones every day in the hunt for good content just like right now you are reading this article.
In this article, we are going to dive into all the wonders content marketing offers us.
What Is Content Marketing?
Content marketing is a form of marketing that uses online media (such as videos, blogs, and social media posts) to stimulate interest in a brand or product without explicitly promoting it.
Gone are those days when you would knock on the door of your customers and convince them to buy your products when you could offer them some discounts or gifts to make them buy.
Those were simpler times. But your customers have gotten smart over time. It takes a lot more than just gifts and heavy discounts to convince them now.
Today it’s all about maintaining a lifelong relationship with your customers. Create an image first then think about selling your product.
Let’s talk about KFC and other local fried chicken fast food restaurants. Which one would you choose? The answer without any second thoughts is KFC.
Because KFC has created its brand image, they have a strong content marketing team working hard behind its desks to build a relationship with its target audience.
Content marketing is the hero of every brand’s success story. Can you name any one of your favorite brands that don’t have a social media presence? No?
That’s because every single brand’s product you use daily is active on social media.
Below are a few instances of how brands do content marketing to create an impact on their target audience:
1.Canva Design Challenge
The well-known graphic design platform Canva makes content creation simpler for companies, influencers, and content creators. In 2022, it started a weekly user contest with prizes, such as a paid yearly subscription to Canva.
Unique, innovative, and occasionally “out there” images are requested for the #CanvaDesignChallenge, which is then presented to a group of Canva employees.
They select their top five at the end of the week.
2.MailChimp’s All Day’s Work Series
Every digital marketer out there knows what MailChimp is. For small and medium-sized enterprises, MailChimp is a well-liked, simple-to-use customer relationship management (CRM) tool.
It excels at assisting large and small business owners to cultivate new leads and create subscriber lists.
However, MailChimp continues to produce its own fascinating and pertinent content. It debuted a mini-series about the successes and difficulties of smaller enterprises in January 2021 called ‘All in a Day’s Work’.
3.Apple Shot On An iPhone
Users of the iPhone 13 and iPhone 13 Max were encouraged to share their best photos taken with the phone’s macro feature as part of Apple’s Shot on an iPhone promotion.
iPhone users photographed everyday scenes, turning commonplace items into stunning compositions.
The hashtags #shotonaniPhone or #iPhonemacrochallenge were suggested by Apple for consumers to use when posting their photos to social media.
Apple employees and ten professional photographers reviewed the online entries and chose 10 winners.
4.Coke’s ‘Share A Coke’ Campaign In Australia
With the help of Coke’s “Share A Coke” promotion, everyone could customize their preferred beverage. On the side of the bottles, they added the 150 names that were the most well-known in Australia. And, well, it was loved by everyone.
The advertising has since then spread like wildfire all across the world.
Why did it succeed so well? Personalization. You felt privileged drinking Coke. You were up against the world by yourself and your bottle.
And the core of content marketing is this personalized element.
5.Hootsuite and A Game of Social Thrones
A few years ago, the hit series Game of Thrones was all that people could talk about. It had us all wrapped around its pinkie finger. Hootsuite took advantage of this and created a campaign we remember to this day.
With the help of the social media management application Hootsuite, you can control all of your accounts in one location.
Not exactly what you’d call a lively or interesting subject, do you think? Well, their marketing department had other suggestions. And it started with a viral video on YouTube
It accomplished what a marketing campaign ought to. It sparked an excitement. People who were diehard fans of Game of Thrones were curious to know more about Hootsuite.
6.Microsoft and Stories
The Microsoft employees are skilled storytellers. And a blog is the perfect place to do it. Its name, “Stories,” is fitting. If you can use your tale to stir the emotions of your audience, they will come to trust you and make purchases from you.
This idea forms the foundation of the author and businessman Seth Godin’s whole marketing philosophy.
You’ll connect with your audience more effectively with the more compelling stories you tell. The relationship is stronger the better the connection.
“Content builds relationships. Relationships are built on trust. Trust drives revenue.”
Content Marketing is one of the hardest rocks to crack. It takes time to plan, strategize, and understand what your brand requires and the psychology behind your target audience’s mind.
But it is very much important for the survival of your brand. It is all about telling powerful stories, connecting with your audience, and adding a personal touch every once in a while.
