For these final few days of 2015, your marketing plans are most likely already baked. Although you’ll need to respond to social media posts or online reviews, your company’s blog posts, emails and newsletters are already written, designed and set to “publish” or “send.” Congratulations!
So, why gum up the works with a few content marketing tips? Well, for starters, there’s always 2016, right? But more importantly, the hyper-focus your team has placed on the holiday content cycle can serve your brand well in the New Year. Here are a few tips to get the wheels moving.
Seasonal Tips
Perhaps your team published social media posts in December such as “15 Best Drinks for Holiday Parties” and “3 Travel Hacks for Holiday Travel.” These posts serve a great service to your readers, so don’t stop now. There are many opportunities with upcoming holidays and seasonal changes ahead. An insurance agency could write a blog post about selecting life insurance for newly married couples in May and June. A physicians group could put together a short guide about sending kids back to school complete with health and safety tips.
B2B’s need not be left out in the mix. Give away customer guides and other content such as checklists or how-to videos that help your customers increase leads and generate revenue.
Address Customers’ Needs
During the holidays, the content we produce as marketers is often designed to help our customers de-stress or simplify. Take that sentiment into 2016. Ask your team: “What can we write that will solve a need?” This will vary from industry to industry, but consider things such as collections of easy, 30-minute family meals (baking and cooking supply websites and recipe bloggers); fun crafts for kids (retail craft stores); and a list of five digital tools to help marketers get organized (marketing platforms) .
Make Content Enjoyable and Easy
During the holidays, no one has time to read a 20-part blog series or download a 50-page ebook. This rule generally applies to the rest of the year, too. The great news is that content marketing works and creates strong bonds of trust between your business and your customers (and potential customers). So, don’t use up that goodwill. Keep things short, simple and when possible, give a summary so readers know exactly what they are clicking on. This isn’t the time to click-bait your way into people’s hearts.
Wishing you and yours a wonderful holiday season, a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.
Jennifer is a Content Strategist for Connectivity.
