{"id":3960,"date":"2019-09-03T06:46:56","date_gmt":"2019-09-03T06:46:56","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/digitalschoolofmarketing.co.za\/?p=3960"},"modified":"2024-09-14T15:44:45","modified_gmt":"2024-09-14T13:44:45","slug":"how-to-develop-content-marketing-strategy","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/digitalschoolofmarketing.co.za\/content-marketing-blog\/how-to-develop-content-marketing-strategy\/","title":{"rendered":"How to develop a content marketing strategy"},"content":{"rendered":"<section class=\"l-section wpb_row height_medium\"><div class=\"l-section-h i-cf\"><div class=\"g-cols vc_row via_grid cols_3-1 laptops-cols_inherit tablets-cols_inherit mobiles-cols_1 valign_top type_default stacking_default\"><div class=\"wpb_column vc_column_container\"><div class=\"vc_column-inner\"><div class=\"w-image align_center\"><div class=\"w-image-h\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"680\" height=\"479\" src=\"https:\/\/digitalschoolofmarketing.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/09\/DSM_Infographic_ContentMarketing17-e1567433575617.jpg\" class=\"attachment-full size-full\" alt=\"DSM Digital School Of Marketing-content marketing strategy\" loading=\"lazy\" srcset=\"https:\/\/digitalschoolofmarketing.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/09\/DSM_Infographic_ContentMarketing17-e1567433575617.jpg 680w, https:\/\/digitalschoolofmarketing.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/09\/DSM_Infographic_ContentMarketing17-e1567433575617-600x423.jpg 600w, https:\/\/digitalschoolofmarketing.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/09\/DSM_Infographic_ContentMarketing17-e1567433575617-300x211.jpg 300w, https:\/\/digitalschoolofmarketing.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/09\/DSM_Infographic_ContentMarketing17-e1567433575617-284x200.jpg 284w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 680px) 100vw, 680px\" \/><\/div><\/div><div class=\"wpb_text_column\"><div class=\"wpb_wrapper\"><p>According to the latest research which was conducted by the Content Marketing Institute (CMI) as well as MarketingProfs, a whopping 63% of companies don\u2019t have a <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/digitalschoolofmarketing.co.za\/blog\/what-is-ebook-why-should-part-of-content-marketing\/\">content marketing strategy<\/a><\/strong>. It\u2019s no wonder, then, that it is most likely that those organisations who DO have such a strategy will be more likely to have the impression that their efforts, with respect to content marketing, are effective.<\/p>\n<p>Without a content marketing strategy, successes or failures are just a matter of luck. This means that you risk all your efforts going to waste if you leave everything to chance. That\u2019s likely the reason why a similar percentage (to be specific, 64%) say that learning how to build a content \u00a0marketing strategy is something that they most desperately need to learn.<\/p>\n<p>Content marketing is a piece in the puzzle of a broader integrated digital marketing strategy. Performing this type of marketing well requires a strategy of its own which will guide you in shaping your content marketing strategy.<\/p>\n<p>The field of content marketing is about so much more than merely creating, distributing as well as sharing content in order to, for example:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Engage audiences,<\/li>\n<li>Generate leads, and<\/li>\n<li>Improve branding.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>It requires a strategic approach and that\u2019s what a content marketing strategy is all about. As we\u2019ve mentioned previously, content marketing fits in a broader integrated marketing strategy. It necessitates a strategy of its own. However, just as all other strategies regarding specific marketing techniques (email marketing or <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/digitalschoolofmarketing.co.za\/blog\/what-a-social-media-marketing-course-can-enable-you-to-do-in-your-career\/\">social media marketing<\/a><\/strong>, for instance) such a strategy needs to be integrated in a broader strategy.<\/p>\n<h2>How to build a content \u00a0marketing strategy<\/h2>\n<h2><strong>What is a \u2018content marketing strategy\u2019?<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p>Your <a href=\"https:\/\/digitalschoolofmarketing.co.za\/blog\/how-to-leverage-your-companys-unique-selling-proposition\/\"><strong>company\u2019s<\/strong><\/a> content marketing strategy is your fundamental \u201cwhy.\u201d It answers the questions:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Why you are creating content?<\/li>\n<li>Who are you helping?<\/li>\n<li>How will you help them in a way that no one else can?<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Organisations typically make use of content marketing in order to grow their audiences and to attain at least one of these lucrative results:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>More income,<\/li>\n<li>Reduced costs, or<\/li>\n<li>Customers which are better for your business.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div><\/div><div class=\"w-video align_none ratio_16x9 has_iframe\"><div class=\"w-video-h\"><iframe title=\"Vimeo video player\" src=\"https:\/\/player.vimeo.com\/video\/275590948?autoplay=0&loop=0&autopause=0&color=00adef&portrait=0&byline=1&title=1&controls=1&muted=0\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"autoplay; fullscreen\" allowfullscreen loading=\"lazy\"><\/iframe><\/div><div class=\"w-video-icon\" style=\"font-size:1.5rem;background:rgba(0,0,0,0.5);color:#fff\"><\/div><\/div><div class=\"w-separator size_medium\"><\/div><div class=\"wpb_text_column\"><div class=\"wpb_wrapper\"><h2><strong>What is a content strategy?<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p>A \u2018content strategy\u2019 looks deeper into, according to Kristina Halvorson, the formation, publication, and governance of valuable, practical content. Note that a content strategy often goes further than the scope of a content marketing strategy. This is because it helps businesses manage all of the content that they have on file.<\/p>\n<h2><strong>What is a content plan?<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p>A \u2018content plan\u2019 is extremely tactical. This type of plan documents the details of:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>How you will achieve your content marketing strategy, as well as<\/li>\n<li>Who, on your team, will be performing each task.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>It\u2019s vital to understand that you require a content marketing strategy a good deal before you build your <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/digitalschoolofmarketing.co.za\/blog\/how-do-i-get-people-to-read-the-content-on-my-website\/\">content<\/a><\/strong> plan. Think of it as a <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/digitalschoolofmarketing.co.za\/blog\/what-does-digital-marketing-manager-do\/\">digital marketing<\/a><\/strong> plan that particularly relates to content. This means that your content plan should include particulars such as:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>The fundamental topics you will cover,<\/li>\n<li>What type of content you will design and create,<\/li>\n<li>When as well as how to share your content, and<\/li>\n<li>Specific calls to action you will include.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><strong>Steps to developing a content marketing strategy<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p>Below are the six steps that you need to go through during the process of developing a content marketing strategy:<\/p>\n<ol>\n<li>Define your goals<\/li>\n<li>Research your audience<\/li>\n<li>Focus on your specific area of specialisation<\/li>\n<li>Measure the results that you get from your content marketing efforts<\/li>\n<li>Listen to your customers<\/li>\n<li>Amplify your content<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p>As you\u2019ve read in this article, putting together a content marketing strategy, that will bring in leads to your business, isn\u2019t rocket science. However, it can be quite tricky to implement. Assume that you will encounter roadblocks. Expect to go through lots of trial and error. Don\u2019t worry this is normal! Once you have hit on a recipe for success, though, all you\u2019ll need to do is rinse, dry and repeat so that you can see the kind of audience growth you\u2019ve always dreamed of.<\/p>\n<h2><a href=\"https:\/\/digitalschoolofmarketing.co.za\/contact-us\/\">Get in touch with the Digital School of Marketing<\/a><\/h2>\n<p>To learn more about the best way that you can become a content marketer who\u2019s in hot demand, check out the Digital School of Marketing\u2019s <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/digitalschoolofmarketing.co.za\/courses\/digital-copywriting-and-content-marketing-course\/\">Digital Copywriting and Content Marketing Course<\/a><\/strong>! For more information, visit our <strong><a href=\"http:\/\/www.digitalschoolofmarketing.co.za\/\">website<\/a><\/strong>.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/digitalschoolofmarketing.co.za\/courses\/digital-copywriting-and-content-marketing-course\/\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-756 size-shop_single\" src=\"https:\/\/digitalschoolofmarketing.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/DSM_Footer01-600x96.jpg\" alt=\"DSM Digital school of marketing - Copywriting and content marketing course registration\" width=\"600\" height=\"96\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"wpb_column vc_column_container\"><div class=\"vc_column-inner\"><div class=\"w-btn-wrapper align_justify\"><a class=\"w-btn us-btn-style_2\" href=\"#enquiry\"><span class=\"w-btn-label\">Enquire Today<\/span><\/a><\/div><div class=\"w-separator size_medium\"><\/div><h3 class=\"w-text us_custom_6caa4608 has_text_color\"><span class=\"w-text-h\"><span class=\"w-text-value\">Blog Categories<\/span><\/span><\/h3><div class=\"wpb_text_column us_custom_5cd26a65\"><div class=\"wpb_wrapper\"><ul>\n<li class=\"cat-item cat-item-1\"><a href=\"\/blog\/content-marketing\/\">Content Marketing<\/a><\/li>\n<li class=\"cat-item cat-item-2\"><a href=\"\/blog\/digital-marketing\/\">Digital Marketing<\/a><\/li>\n<li class=\"cat-item cat-item-2\"><a href=\"\/blog\/cyber-security-blog\/\">Cyber Security<\/a><\/li>\n<li class=\"cat-item cat-item-2\"><a href=\"\/blog\/graphic-design-blog\/\">Graphic Design<\/a><\/li>\n<li class=\"cat-item cat-item-3\"><a href=\"\/blog\/public-relations\/\">Public Relations<\/a><\/li>\n<li class=\"cat-item cat-item-4\"><a href=\"\/blog\/seo\/\">SEO<\/a><\/li>\n<li class=\"cat-item cat-item-5\"><a href=\"\/blog\/social-media-marketing\/\">Social Media Marketing<\/a><\/li>\n<li class=\"cat-item cat-item-5\"><a href=\"\/blog\/web-design-blog\/\">Web Design<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div><\/div><div class=\"w-separator size_medium\"><\/div><h3 class=\"w-text us_custom_6caa4608 has_text_color\"><span class=\"w-text-h\"><span class=\"w-text-value\">You might also like<\/span><\/span><\/h3><div class=\"w-html\"><ul><li><a href=\"https:\/\/digitalschoolofmarketing.co.za\/social-media-marketing-blog\/zero-moment-of-truth-benefit-social-media-marketing\/\" rel=\"bookmark\">Use the Zero Moment of Truth to Benefit your Social Media Marketing<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"https:\/\/digitalschoolofmarketing.co.za\/digital-marketing-blog\/your-complete-guide-to-ppc-marketing-basic\/\" rel=\"bookmark\">Your Complete Guide to PPC Marketing Basics. 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