Historically, small businesses have relied on advertising to attract and retain customers. Paid ads would reach customers by radio, television, or most recently, the Internet in an attempt to pique the interest of targeted consumers. These days, though, it’s becoming harder and harder to reach new customers through advertisements. Many people are ditching cable in favor of ad-free streaming services, and as many as 30% of Internet users are expected to use ad-blocking software by the end of this year.
As a result, small businesses are turning to content marketing instead to get their message out. Instead of blasting advertisements at users, companies that use content marketing attract new customers by offering useful and relevant information created by content writers. Here are just a few of the ways that content marketing is helping small businesses and startups to thrive in the online marketplace.
Connect with Customers
Customers don’t just want quality from their favorite brands. They want a company that they can trust – one that speaks to them on a personal level. Marketing produced by professional article writers and content specialists allows businesses to show their audience what they’re all about, including their unique goals and values. Showing consumers that a company stands for something can help to attract new customers and inspire growth.
Improve Brand Recognition
In addition to attracting new customers to a brand, content marketing can help to improve brand recognition. If customers associate a company with their favorite blog or YouTube series, they’re more likely to remember the product line later on when shopping. This helps to spread awareness of growing businesses and create a loyal customer base.
Reach a Wider Audience
With traditional advertising, businesses usually have to reach out directly to consumers through various media channels to get their attention. Ultimately, though, the majority of direct ads fail. With content marketing, on the other hand, consumers are enticed to seek out information voluntarily. By providing useful pictures, videos, and content, small businesses can attract customers to their website without making the first move. Quality content also encourages customers to share with their friends and followers via social media, which can, in turn, garner more interest in a budding business.
Content marketing is a relatively new strategy in the advertising sphere, but it’s taking the business world by storm. Companies ranging from startups to large corporations can benefit from using content marketing strategies to attract and retain new customers. With quality content, it’s possible for small businesses to grow and thrive without a prohibitive initial investment.
