Remember SAT prep class?
________________ is to a profitable business what hot sex is to a happy marriage.
A. New logo.
B. Fancy brochures.
C. Marketing Coach.
D. Content marketing.
It’s D. Content Marketing.
When I first started writing about HOT CONTENT, it was a relatively “new” term and strategy. It’s now a buzzword that is overused and misused, but this doesn’t make it any less critical to your success.
Marketing with content allows you to not only attract more leads, but convert more leads, generate more referrals, and stay connected to your tribe in a meaningful way. It keeps your market engaged, helps you cross the know, like and trust boundary and keeps your ideal prospects interested enough in what you’re doing to — you know — know when it’s time to buy from you.
Regardless of the buzz, books, podcasts and now magazines dedicated to the subject, and despite my nagging, prodding and practically BEGGING wow members to put content marketing to the test consistently in their business (It WILL prove itself)… too few do it well, do it consistently, do it profitably.
So, I went to the best. I reached out to Ramon Ray of Smart Hustle Magazine… and got in touch with Kim Phelan of GKIC.com and asked them to give us their top tip on content marketing. Their responses are below — along with quotes from other leaders in the industry. You can find my Advanced Guide to Content marketing here.
Be Original in Your Content Creation
— Chris Ducker
“Getting ideas and inspiration from other content creators is fine. Outright copying their stuff is just plain lame. You’re doing this to stand out and be remembered. Don’t forget that. Now work hard on being remembered for the right reasons – not for being a weak content creating copy-cat!”
I’m bringing you a little tough love.
— Amy Porterfield
“Tough love when it comes to creating original content on a weekly basis. This means every week you need to put out a podcast, blog post or video—whatever you love to do and do well—every week, no matter what.
I KNOW IT’S NOT EASY. But it’s 100% worth the effort.
Bottom line: Consistent content helps you build trust with your audience and earn their respect. AND – if you have content going out on a regular basis, you won’t have to work as hard when you are ready to promote. Meaning, it’s easier to make money when you are creating weekly, free content.”
Don’t Hold Back.
— Kim Phelan
“When you think about Content Marketing, go heavy on the content – if the whole idea is to show your awesomeness by giving information, then don’t skimp. I’d rather err on the side of too much useful, beneficial information than lean toward the “dark side” of sounding salesy. There’s one word that summarizes a good rule of thumb for CM: and that’s Authentic. Be yourself – everyone else is taken. (said, Oscar Wilde). But beyond assuming your own natural tone of voice – preferably devoid of all hyperbole – authenticity means to be real and to be generous with your content. I hate the saying, “Tell them what to do, but not how to do it.” We shouldn’t be in the business of doing halvesies. If you’re going to provide answers, solutions, techniques, or research findings, just do it for gosh sakes, and don’t hold back.”
Stop Thinking About Yourself 
— Ray Ramon
“Stop thinking of yourself and think ONLY of your audience. Close your eyes and think – what can I write (or share) that will be so beneficial to my audience that not only will they share it but they’ll share it with others. You want a GOOD headline – make it captivating and clear. Also a good image. you do this once a day or some other frequency and you’re well on your way to success in your content marketing.”
What To Do With Old Blog Posts
—Darren Rouse
“While I know some bloggers don’t like to update old posts as they like to treat their archives as a record – errors and dating and all – I think most bloggers should consider updating old posts from time to time for a number of reasons: Broken links, changed opinions, updates, and design.”
Don’t Reinvent The Wheel— 
Fabienne Frederickson
“Many years ago, I held a regular monthly workshop for prospects. Each month I’d spend a full day creating all the content for that month’s training session-new and different each time. I was only charging around $25 per workshop. And after awhile, I found that each month the same prospects would come back for more. (Why not, right?) I was putting so much time and energy into the preparation but was only getting a couple of new clients. I soon decided to instead offer the same content each month. I didn’t have to re-invent the wheel each time and the best part was that I was getting fresh, new faces showing up each month – which resulted in less work and more new, paying clients!”
Provide value, provide value, provide value, ask for the sale.
— Gary Vaynerchuk
“I truly believe that content is the best way to market a product today. Provide value to consumers by creating helpful videos or new recipes or funny cartoons. Give them something they actually want because that content builds up the relationship that then allows you to ask for the sale.
Jab, jab, jab, right hook. Provide value, provide value, provide value, ask for the sale.”
