What is Content Marketing for SEO?

Content marketing can be a great way to improve search rankings, connect with your audience, increase website visitors, and grow your church, ministry, or business.

But what exactly is content marketing and how do you do it well?

In this Search Engine Optimization Frequently Asked Questions (SEO FAQs) video blog, I address the question, What is content marketing for SEO? and share 6 elements of good content marketing.  

(The article below is a summary of the video, but you’ll get more details and examples if you watch the video.)

What is content marketing for SEO?

Let’s start with the dictionary definition for content marketing:

Content marketing is a type of marketing that involves the creation and sharing of online material (content) that does not explicitly promote a brand but is intended to stimulate interest in its products or services.

So, here are three crucial takeaways from that definition:

1. Online: First off, we’re talking about stuff that lives on the internet.
2. Content: This refers to a wide variety of materials, including blog articles, infographics, videos, podcasts, and social media.
3. Not Explicitly Promotional: It’s not a sales pitch or a press release. It’s about building a connection with your audience, so they come to you naturally.

Now, let’s dive a bit deeper into…

6 Characteristics of Good Content Marketing

1. Be Helpful

First and foremost, good content should be helpful. It should answer questions, solve problems, or provide valuable information. It’s about being a resource for your audience.

Helpful content is not only good for human visitors but starting in August 2022, Google has introduced several Helpful Content Updates designed to give helpful content better search rankings.

2. Make Content Interesting and Engaging

Let’s face it, boring content doesn’t cut it. Make it captivating, and if you can, throw in a dash of humor.

Think beyond just text to images, infographics, and video, both long form and short form.

3. Step Up the Quality

In a sea of online content, quality matters. Don’t skimp on the effort; it’s a reflection of your brand.

Try to avoid assumptions and generalities by backing up statements with evidence. Link out to research and other experts that corroborates your conclusions.

Case studies, original research, and personal stories all add to the quality of your content.

4. Be Consistent

To be effective, you’ve got to keep the content train chugging along. Regularly publish new content on a consistent basis to keep your audience engaged.

Part of a good content marketing strategy can also be to take content created a year or two ago – especially content that experienced a lot of views and engagement – and updated it and reshare it.

But wait, there’s more! If you want your content marketing to be a powerhouse in your SEO strategy, here are two additional must-haves:

5. Target Relevant Keywords

Your content should align with what your organization is all about. If you’re doing church communication, no posting cat videos, unless maybe if your church is open to people bringing their pets. Do some keyword research to figure out what your target audience is searching for.

6. Optimize for Search

Remember when we addressed the question, “What is on-page optimization?” That applies here too. Whether it’s blog articles, podcasts, videos, or infographics, it’s important to optimize them for the keywords you are targeting.

When you create good content, it will cause people to want to link to it, boosting your authority. And each new piece of keyword-targeted content will get your website ranked in the search engines for more keywords.

The bottom line is…

Content marketing is the strategic way to educate and captivate your audience without a pushy sales pitch.

Let us help you create and share good, relevant content

If you’re a leader in your church, school, ministry or business, you probably understand the benefit of content marketing, but you’re also super-busy and probably thinking, “There’s no way I add content marketing to my plate.”

That’s why our team developed a unique way to create a year of high-quality, original content that has your personality and insight, but takes only an hour or two of your time – in the entire year!

If you’d like to learn more about website design or Christian SEO for your business, school or ministry, we’d love to talk with you!

Fill out the consultation request form below (mobile) or to the right (desktop)!

Comment and Share your thoughts:

• What questions do you have about content marketing?

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