Most people believe that writing articles is the complete definition of content marketing, but while that may have been the case a decade ago, it no longer holds true. If you are looking to make a mark in the online arena by driving traffic to your website, you simply have to start with the understanding that article writing is only a slice of content marketing.
By definition, content marketing is an overarching term encompassing article writing, blog posting, slide and presentation sharing, podcast creation and YouTube video marketing. The most effective approach begins with knowing how to expertly use articles for content dissemination.
Articles are simple to write and can be authored keeping in mind the overall theme of the business or website. One should brainstorm the various keywords that an online visitor would find interesting and write short, specific and informative articles around the same. It is statically proven that logical thinking is as effective as spending long hours analyzing keywords based on search engine searches.
Once the articles have been drafted, they can be circulated either through the business’ website or as blog posts on relevant industry blogs. Facebook Squidoo and social media sites are good options for posting blogs. Keep in mind not to post the exact same article on several sites. Articles on different sites should provide the visitor with different information in order to enhance his search findings.
Articles once are written can also be trimmed down into a crisp slide format and included in a Powerpoint presentation or a short ebook. There are multiple slide sharing sites which allow free upload of informative presentations. These high traffic portals are fantastic resources that one can tap into for marketing the product or services offered.
Video sharing sites such as Youtube and Vimeo have emerged as a potent marketing tool for many businesses across industries. An easy way to make a video is to take your slides and have someone voice over them to give an audio-visual effect. A handy tip is to keep effects to a minimum so as to not make the file heavy to download.
Another use of articles for overall content marketing is to convert them into podcasts that can be circulated to a wide audience for generating potential clients. Creative thinking can transform words into flowcharts, diagrams, and images which can then be distributed to the online population for further coverage.
In summary, article writing has metamorphosed from simple sentences to a full-blown online marketing strategy. When used intelligently, this approach can facilitate a global outreach, create a dependable client list, and make an online business successful.
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