You are probably blogging to help drive traffic to your site, at least we hope you are, and occasionally posting on social media in an attempt to drum up business. Both of these marketing efforts are all well and good, but can you do more? We are here to talk about a few unique types of inbound marketing that could benefit your business.
What is Inbound Marketing?
A quick definition:
Unique Content to Improve Your Inbound Marketing Strategy
The great thing about this day and age is that literally anyone can create and share content, but this also means that competition to get a high Google ranking is tougher than ever. Here are a few unique inbound marketing ideas to drive people through your online sales funnel.
1. Podcasts
Podcasts are the new radio, and they are probably one of the best ways to build authority in your industry. Podcasts are an excellent way to educate and connect with potential and existing customers. A bonus? Podcasts are fairly cheap to produce, all you need is a decent microphone, a little bit of sound editing software, and a list of topics to get started. If you are too nervous to talk on a podcast, find an outgoing employee who is knowledgeable about your industry and have them do it. The important thing with podcasts is to keep the content interesting, relevant and consistent.
2. Video
Okay, we cannot even begin to emphasize how important video is right now in the world of marketing. When people want to learn how to do something where do they normally go? YouTube. Tutorials and how-to videos are a fantastic way to educate people on your product or service and can give them a better idea of who you are as a company. Adding video to your website adds visual interest and puts a face to your company name. Like podcasts, if you are not comfortable being on camera find someone in your company who is personable and willing to participate in company videos.
There are two things to be aware of when you decide to include video in your marketing efforts.
- Quality: There is nothing worse than a grainy, shaky video with bad sound. You can avoid this issue by bringing in a professional video company. If you are on a tight budget, a phone with a good camera will do, make sure the person filming has a steady hand or pick up a small phone tripod to keep the camera from shaking.
- Editing: This is something a lot of people new to using video overlook. They think that one shot, with no editing, will do the job and that may be the case for some people. Almost every video online that is worth a watch has gone through some editing. You can download fairly cheap editing software or outsource it to a video editing specialist.
3. e-Books
E-Books might sound a bit overwhelming, who has the time to write a book? But we promise it isn’t as scary as it seems. E-Books don’t have to be long, we suggest at least making it ten pages, and can be a great way to capture email information from those visiting your website. Free e-Book downloads generate solid leads and can be extremely informative.
Make sure you write your ebook about something your potential leads want to know. For example, if you are in the wellness industry, you could write an ebook about the health benefits of eating more leafy green vegetables. Think of an ebook as a more in-depth blog post, it shouldn’t be specific about your brand but instead should show that you are knowledgeable about your industry and want to educate others.
4. White Pages
White pages are where you can talk specifically about your product or service. White pages can be peppered throughout your website as downloads and sent directly to leads that inquire about what you are selling. These are extremely informative and detailed. People who are almost ready to buy benefit from white pages because these documents can give the peace-of-mind that pushes them to buy.
5. Interactive Content
Interactive content is a fantastic way to get to know your customer base better through quizzes, live feeds, and interactive infographics.
Interactive content keeps visitors on your page longer which will improve your bounce rate and rank on Google. You can also capture unique information and see how your clients and customers feel about your product; then use that information to develop new products or improve existing ones.
6. e-Newsletters
E-Newsletters are not necessarily that unique, but they are an excellent way to keep your customer base up-to-date about what is happening in your company. At RSM Marketing, our e-Newsletters, for the most part, contain blog content. This is an easy way to get subscribers to see you are relevant in your niche industry and stay informed. You can also use e-Newsletters to provide information about promotions, upcoming events, and important company news.
These six ideas are fantastic if you are looking to improve your inbound marketing game. If you have tried any of these in the past tell us about it. Which strategy did you use? Did you see your web traffic increase? Let us know in the comments below!
