As a content marketing agency, our copywriters are often asked these questions by clients that include business owners, SEO agencies, digital marketing consultants, web design and development companies, etc. Here we have compiled some of the most common questions and our responses:
Question #1: It’s predicted that 80% of online traffic will be video by 2019, so where do web copywriters fit in the future?
MintCopy: "Video killed the radio star...", and so the song said. It never really happened. Likewise, more video means more scripts to create, more transcripts to generate, more Tweets and social updates to write, more integrated content, more work for copywriters!
Question #2: Should all our content writing focus on short and sweet in the future? Or does long form (and hence, better search engine optimized) copy still have a place? For example, will white papers, long and detailed articles, e-books, etc. hold their ground?
MintCopy: Short and sweet is great; that's the "amuse bouche" or the appetizers. You definitely need the main course to fully satiate your audience. So yes, long form or in-depth content still has an important place.
Question #3: For the main course, what is the most effective marketing method going into the future? Or do we need lots of side dishes?
MintCopy: Here is what we recommend
Main Course: Whitepapers, E-Books, E-Newsletters
Side Dishes: Blog Posts, Social Content (Tweets, Facebook Posts, LinkedIn Posts, etc.), Articles, Press Releases
Dessert: Webinars, Videos, Infographics, Interactive Presentations
Question #4: What about apps? Do you think apps have a place in content marketing?
MintCopy: Branded apps can certainly play a role in content marketing, as long as they are not gimmicky and actually do something useful.
Question #5: 80% of the respondents in a recent survey by Razorfish said they prefer brands that are “useful” over brands that are “interesting”. How do we become "useful" with content?
MintCopy: This is what "Useful Content" does: solves real problems, offers innovative ideas that actually work, validates why certain "best" practices are "best", predicts future trends that users can prepare for, busts myths, gives clarity, suggests changes to drive better results and ROI.
Question #6: B2C companies have more direct access to their consumers, so content distribution is simpler and there are many channels available. How should B2B companies market (or distribute) their content?
MintCopy: Distribute B2B content via your company website, blog, exclusive or invitation-only LinkedIn Groups, Twitter, channel partner portals, webinars, SlideShare, email newsletters, e-books, (not in any particular order or priority). And don’t forget the news media – it is still important to write that news release, nurture journalists, feed PR agencies, take advantage of the news wires, etc. However, keep in mind that media folks are scavenging online anyway, so unless you have really BIG news that is worthy of a "release", don't waste your time or a journalist’s.
Have more questions about content marketing? Call us at 888-646-8003 or send us an email.