Now that our Digital Marketing One series for CMOs reviewed the most critical know-how for a variety of channels, the focus shifts to digital marketing techniques.
You can apply these marketing techniques across digital channels.
And the first insights that I’d like to point readers to come from writer and consultant Ardath Albee on content marketing.
To paraphrase from Ardath’s article, the best content marketers have been able to:
- increase lead conversion rates (e.g. by 70%!!!)
- make it more likely that leads will respond to calls
- and – most impressive to me – increase average sales values!!
Yet,content marketers also have the Internet awash with bezillions of “Top 10 tricks” guides and bezillions of free webinars on every conceivable topic. So, it can be really, really hard to get good marketing returns on your content.
Ardath’s article provides golden advice to strategize on your content development in a systematic manner.
I asked Ardath recently which industries (besides B2B) benefit from content marketing. Here was her response:
All industries can find benefit from content marketing. My focus just happens to be B2B companies with complex sales that require building engagement over time with lots of education and expertise and more than one person involved in the decision. Yet, the equivalent in B2C markets would be buying a house or buying a car or even life insurance or investing for retirement or to fund your children’s college education.
An example in B2C are Baby Center’s iterative emails for new parents who need to learn a lot to raise children.
I think the difference is really in the approach and type of content selected. For example, Lego would likely do well by creating content that engages kids in what they can build, creating interactive games, contests, etc. And, I’d even bet there’s a niche out there with adults who haven’t ever given them up.
